When Salvatore Ferragamo founded his eponymous brand in 1927, he used his knowledge of shoemaking to create exceptional pieces. He used his love of art to inspire a unique aesthetic. And he leveraged his business acumen to build the brand into an international luxury house with more than 400 retail locations. In the past 90 years, Ferragamo has grown from a small Italian company into one of the most recognizable names in men’s luxury fashion. The company’s dedication to producing high-quality goods with a unique aesthetic remains its cornerstone. But as demand for luxury goods continues to grow and change, so too must brands like Ferragamo remain innovative and forward-thinking. In this blog post, we’ll explore how innovation and creativity are foundational for successful companies in the 21st century.
What is Innovation?
There are various definitions of innovation, but we think the one below summarizes it best: Innovation is the process of new or improved production methods or new products, or new ways of delivering existing products and services, that enhance customer value and create new business or social models, marketing and distribution channels, and economic benefits. Put another way, innovation is how you respond to the world evolving around you. It’s the process of taking what you know and what your company does best and looking for new ways to use those strengths in new and better ways. The Ferragamo brand was built on innovation. Founder Salvatore Ferragamo was a skilled artisan when it came to shoemaking. But rather than simply using his knowledge to create shoes, he also used his creative expertise to create new designs and styles that set him apart from other shoemakers.
Creativity and the Human Brain
It’s often said that humans are the only species capable of creativity. But what exactly does that mean? The human brain is naturally creative. When we’re born, we are essentially “blank slates.” We have no preconceived notions about the world or what’s possible. As we get older, we begin to form ideas and beliefs about the world around us. We begin to rely on these concepts to understand and navigate the world around us. Essentially, we stop being as creative as we once were. Creativity is the ability to derive new and original ideas. It’s the spark of inspiration that allows an individual to see outside the box. As we understand the world, the human brain begins to create neural networks. These neural networks essentially form a sort of map of everything we know and understand. When we encounter something new, we refer to these neural networks to help us understand and make sense of what’s happening.
Why is Creativity Important to Brands?
Brands must be creative to stay ahead in a quickly evolving global marketplace. Consumers are increasingly switching from traditional shopping methods (like in-store purchases) to digital channels like e-commerce and mobile commerce. As a result, brands are forced to adapt and evolve their marketing strategies to remain relevant. Creativity is the spark that allows companies to stay ahead of the curve. It encourages brands to think outside the box and embrace new technologies and methods of reaching consumers. Creativity paired with innovation can lead to new and inventive products and services. It can also inspire new ways to market the products and services.
How Brands Can Encourage Creativity
There are several ways to encourage creativity within a company. One of the most important is to encourage openness. When employees feel as if they are allowed to share their thoughts and ideas without judgment, it can help foster a creative workspace. If people feel as if they are forced to conform to a certain way of thinking, it can stifle creativity and innovation. Creative individuals want to explore new ideas and ways of doing things. Another way to encourage creativity is to provide employees with resources. If people are given the tools they need to explore new ideas and concepts, it can help spark creativity. Providing employees with ample resources can also help facilitate the sharing of ideas. If people have access to the same tools and information, it can help spark new ways of thinking and allow people to explore new ideas together.
Conclusion
Innovation is the key to success in the fashion industry. Creativity and inspiration are necessary tools to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving marketplace. A brand must continuously adapt and change to stay competitive in the industry. This can be challenging for larger companies with longer production cycles. However, smaller brands with shorter production cycles can often be more nimble and creative in their approach to innovation. To succeed in the 21st century, brands must encourage creativity and provide ample resources for employees to share ideas, collaborate, and explore new ways of doing things. With a creative and open environment, brands can stay ahead of the curve and continue to thrive in a quickly evolving marketplace.