Contents
Who is a trendsetter?
A trendsetter is an individual or organization that shapes and establishes new trends and tendencies in various fields. Most often, trendsetters are influencers, key opinion leaders, leading brands, as well as media outlets. These influential figures can represent a wide range of areas, including:
- Bloggers;
- Creative professionals (actors, singers, musicians, artists, comedians);
- Athletes;
- Businesspeople and public figures;
- Fashion and business magazines;
- Brands of goods and services (clothing, gadgets, banking products).
Historical context
An interesting fact is that the term "trendsetter" was first introduced by French sociologist Gabriel Tarde in 1903. Tarde studied how innovations penetrate society and concluded that some individuals adopt these innovations faster than others. Based on his concepts, the theory of diffusion of innovations was further developed by American sociologists. The essence of this theory is that new ideas do not immediately encompass society. Initially, they are adopted by "innovators" — active individuals open to experimentation, who then popularize the novelties, facilitating their spread.
Business implications
In business, the concept of trendsetting has two main directions. The first is collaborating with existing trendsetters. Such individuals and brands possess authority and trust among a wide audience, making them ideal partners for promoting goods and services. For example, advertising athletic shoes featuring a famous athlete will attract more attention and trust than similar advertising with an ordinary model. Additionally, collaborations with recognized brands also create a positive effect.
The second direction is the aspiration of the company itself to become a trendsetter. This brings significant benefits in terms of image and reputation, as the company begins to be perceived as a "fashion legislator" and becomes an example for others. Respect and willingness to collaborate with such companies increase. A similar situation is observed with individual people who become trendsetters: they enhance their authority and open new earning opportunities through advertising contracts and collaborative projects.
How to become a trendsetter?
To become a successful trendsetter, it is essential to consider several key principles:
- Continuously research the market and draw conclusions about potential directions that may become trends;
- Experiment and try new things;
- Create unique ideas rather than just copying others;
- Be flexible and able to adapt to changing societal conditions.
An example of a successful trendsetter in the world of sports fashion is the brand Adidas. They not only improve technologies and develop functional clothing and footwear for athletes but also set trends for vintage collections, confirming their status as a leader in this field.