The fashion industry is having a bit of a digital renaissance it is fair to say. Though every industry has early adopters, and those leading the way to new technological frontiers, the luxury fashion industry has notoriously been late to the party.
ALMA Shop has taken a different approach to business. A digital first, direct to consumer, luxury customization experience in the accessories space. ALMA Shop has created a brand with core pillars amongst custom luxury, affordability, and sustainability. Across sneakers, shoes, boots, purses and travel bags for both men and women, the Canadian brand offers its clientele the ability to personalize their item using the 3D customization technology within their platform. Resulting in a highly interactive experience, achieving a truly unique product and expression of one’s taste and style.
ALMA Shop has rooted meaning in the words ‘soul and nourishing or kind’ and has made it a part of the brand’s mission – to revive the art and appreciation of custom handmade goods. The goods, all handcrafted in Spain by local artisans, carry with them the notion of embracing slow fashion and also contain a piece of “you” or the buyer in every shoe or bag. Truly merging the advances of today’s technology with the hand and craft of the past.
“We’re on a mission to turn fashion on its head, fight the disposable apparel market, and democratize luxury goods so that ethical, affordable, and sustainable, custom luxury is always: ‘design your own’, ‘custom made-to-order’, and ‘affordable’.” — ALMA Shop
Bringing this digital, custom luxury experience that is both ethical and affordable to the market is a brand strategy that can be an inspiration to those looking to launch or pivot their own brand.
In fashion, the cumbersome real estate and staffing of a brick and mortar string of shops can dramatically affect your profit margin as well as your environmental footprint. ALMA Shop not only operates a retail 2.0 type model but their products are handcrafted by masterful artists versus mass production. Their motto “crafted by artisans designed by you” perfectly sums up the brand, which is ticking all the right boxes for continued success in the competitive fashion market.
The year 2020 had retailers playing catch and quickly adapting their e-commerce platforms to service their customers better. New E-tailing trends emerged and digital functions exploded. From simply selling through Instagram i.e click through to buy, to live selling on social and simply the very personalized service of texting store owners directly to purchase. Keeping in line with their progressive approach, ALMA Shop was quick to introduce new technology to improve their customer experience. Recently, ALMA Shop implemented SEZZLE to its website, a digital payment plan that will allow customers to receive their highly personalized and luxury experience with the option to pay over the course of four instalments.
The idea of bespoke can, more often than not, seem expensive but what this brand is doing is increasing the accessibility of luxury customization through the power of technology whilst preserving craft. Being able to play designer and create a custom piece, that is ethical and handcrafted with love, is the ultimate luxury for any fashion lover.
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