This research investigates the strategic role of urban clusters in the luxury fashion industry by addressing two key questions: what factors drive fashion companies to select cities as operational bases, and which value chain activities are retained in urban areas versus outsourced? The study examines how the geographic concentration of resources in cities influences location, innovation, and competitiveness decisions. For luxury fashion brands, urban locations provide advantages like skilled talent, high-spending clientele, and strategic partnerships, which enhance brand visibility and support innovation. Divided into four chapters, the thesis first explores how urban clusters foster business ecosystems that support competitiveness and growth through collaborative networks, highlighting the synergy between companies, educational institutions, and research centers. The relationship between traditional cluster models and business ecosystems is analyzed, showing their mutual reinforcement within a globalized, digital market context. The second chapter details a systematic literature review of fashion industry dynamics within urban clusters, using the PRISMA protocol for focused analysis. Key themes from the literature include market access, talent availability, collaborative networks, and brand visibility. Findings show that fashion companies leverage urban clusters for branding and innovation but often relocate production to non-urban areas to optimize efficiency. In Chapter Three, case studies of Milan and other cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo reveal that luxury brands choose these clusters for visibility and brand reinforcement. Milan's fashion hub provides unique access to luxury consumers and a creative talent pool, and a comparative analysis underscores the distinctive advantages offered by each urban cluster. Notably, infrastructure was found to be a less significant factor than anticipated. The final chapter discusses how urban clusters impact branding and operational strategies, identifying key themes: global market access, local culture, talent access, and innovation. Employing NVivo for data structuring, the analysis shows that clusters help brands adapt their strategies to local contexts, enhancing their global positioning. In conclusion, this thesis affirms that urban clusters are vital for luxury fashion companies, offering a supportive environment for innovation and competitiveness. Milan emerges as a globally significant cluster, offering specialized talent and hosting key industry events like Fashion Week, which amplify international visibility. Other clusters, such as Tokyo, Los Angeles, and New York, present unique competitive advantages linked to local culture and market characteristics. The study underscores that, while global forces challenge traditional cluster models, urban clusters remain crucial for sustaining the luxury fashion sector’s growth and innovation.
This research investigates the strategic role of urban clusters in the luxury fashion industry by addressing two key questions: what factors drive fashion companies to select cities as operational bases, and which value chain activities are retained in urban areas versus outsourced? The study examines how the geographic concentration of resources in cities influences location, innovation, and competitiveness decisions. For luxury fashion brands, urban locations provide advantages like skilled talent, high-spending clientele, and strategic partnerships, which enhance brand visibility and support innovation. Divided into four chapters, the thesis first explores how urban clusters foster business ecosystems that support competitiveness and growth through collaborative networks, highlighting the synergy between companies, educational institutions, and research centers. The relationship between traditional cluster models and business ecosystems is analyzed, showing their mutual reinforcement within a globalized, digital market context. The second chapter details a systematic literature review of fashion industry dynamics within urban clusters, using the PRISMA protocol for focused analysis. Key themes from the literature include market access, talent availability, collaborative networks, and brand visibility. Findings show that fashion companies leverage urban clusters for branding and innovation but often relocate production to non-urban areas to optimize efficiency. In Chapter Three, case studies of Milan and other cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo reveal that luxury brands choose these clusters for visibility and brand reinforcement. Milan's fashion hub provides unique access to luxury consumers and a creative talent pool, and a comparative analysis underscores the distinctive advantages offered by each urban cluster. Notably, infrastructure was found to be a less significant factor than anticipated. The final chapter discusses how urban clusters impact branding and operational strategies, identifying key themes: global market access, local culture, talent access, and innovation. Employing NVivo for data structuring, the analysis shows that clusters help brands adapt their strategies to local contexts, enhancing their global positioning. In conclusion, this thesis affirms that urban clusters are vital for luxury fashion companies, offering a supportive environment for innovation and competitiveness. Milan emerges as a globally significant cluster, offering specialized talent and hosting key industry events like Fashion Week, which amplify international visibility. Other clusters, such as Tokyo, Los Angeles, and New York, present unique competitive advantages linked to local culture and market characteristics. The study underscores that, while global forces challenge traditional cluster models, urban clusters remain crucial for sustaining the luxury fashion sector’s growth and innovation.
The Strategic Role of Urban Clusters in the Luxury Fashion Industry: Localisation Factors and Competitive Advantages
TRAVASI, ALESSIO
2025
Abstract
This research investigates the strategic role of urban clusters in the luxury fashion industry by addressing two key questions: what factors drive fashion companies to select cities as operational bases, and which value chain activities are retained in urban areas versus outsourced? The study examines how the geographic concentration of resources in cities influences location, innovation, and competitiveness decisions. For luxury fashion brands, urban locations provide advantages like skilled talent, high-spending clientele, and strategic partnerships, which enhance brand visibility and support innovation. Divided into four chapters, the thesis first explores how urban clusters foster business ecosystems that support competitiveness and growth through collaborative networks, highlighting the synergy between companies, educational institutions, and research centers. The relationship between traditional cluster models and business ecosystems is analyzed, showing their mutual reinforcement within a globalized, digital market context. The second chapter details a systematic literature review of fashion industry dynamics within urban clusters, using the PRISMA protocol for focused analysis. Key themes from the literature include market access, talent availability, collaborative networks, and brand visibility. Findings show that fashion companies leverage urban clusters for branding and innovation but often relocate production to non-urban areas to optimize efficiency. In Chapter Three, case studies of Milan and other cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo reveal that luxury brands choose these clusters for visibility and brand reinforcement. Milan's fashion hub provides unique access to luxury consumers and a creative talent pool, and a comparative analysis underscores the distinctive advantages offered by each urban cluster. Notably, infrastructure was found to be a less significant factor than anticipated. The final chapter discusses how urban clusters impact branding and operational strategies, identifying key themes: global market access, local culture, talent access, and innovation. Employing NVivo for data structuring, the analysis shows that clusters help brands adapt their strategies to local contexts, enhancing their global positioning. In conclusion, this thesis affirms that urban clusters are vital for luxury fashion companies, offering a supportive environment for innovation and competitiveness. Milan emerges as a globally significant cluster, offering specialized talent and hosting key industry events like Fashion Week, which amplify international visibility. Other clusters, such as Tokyo, Los Angeles, and New York, present unique competitive advantages linked to local culture and market characteristics. The study underscores that, while global forces challenge traditional cluster models, urban clusters remain crucial for sustaining the luxury fashion sector’s growth and innovation.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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