80/20

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the right: paying attention to the business side of design

you would hear fashion people talking about 80/20 all the time. my friend ce ce even named her shoe line 80%20. but what is it?

the general name is ‘pareto principle’ – 80% of the result is from 20% of the effort.

it means:
20% of your favorite clothes will make up 80% of your look.
20% of the tastemakers will be responsible for 80% of the trends.
20% of the line will generate 80% of your sales.
20% of the designers will commend 80% of the coverage. you get the idea.

the key is to not forget the other side of the argument. even though 2 out of the 10 styles will generate the bulk of the sales, it’s the other 8 styles that define the identity, differentiate the label, and generate press (if you are doing it right). it’s the 80% consisting of the editorial pieces that is pushing the 20% of basics to sales.

after all, if everyone is considered to have good taste, there good taste doesn’t exist at all.

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