The role of translation in the fashion industry
Fashion is ubiquitous in our daily lives. If we analyse social media, the advertisements we’re shown or even our conversations, we can’t deny that this is a recurring theme. Fashion knows no borders and is constantly changing. These are just some of the reasons why fashion is so important worldwide.
French- and English-speaking markets dominate the industry but aren’t the only markets worth your interest. To cope with the demands and stay relevant in international markets, you need to be understood in different languages.
Are you a small business or do you have your own fashion brand? Overcome language barriers with professional translation solutions. Read on to discover all the ins and outs of fashion translation.
Fashion terminology and the importance of adequate translation
Convey your brand or business essence
Fashion is about expression and individuality, hence no two brands are the same. You know the keys to reaching an audience in your country; this determines your advertising strategy and the location of your stores, for example.
However, it is difficult to know the business culture and marketing cues of every country you sell in, and to convey your brand’s uniqueness and distinctiveness in a foreign language.
Understanding the target culture is essential
Our expert native speaking translators know inside out the culture of your target market. This will greatly enhance your international business strategy. The key is to know what moves your target audience.
Why? Fashion translation is not so much about rendering words in another language; it’s about expressing your brand essence in a way that produces the desired effect on the recipients. Learn more about marketing translation here.
Terminology: a challenge in fashion translation
Another challenge in fashion translation is no doubt the correct use of jargon. The fashion language is rife with specialised terms. By just reading a simple product description we find terms related to the cut, size, type of collar, sleeve or fabric, not to mention all those that describe the production process.
Professional translators handle terminology with the greatest precision. This way your business or brand will convey a polished and professional image in the global fashion industry. 
Fashion translation comprises various types of texts
You already know that the fashion industry speaks a language of its own and requires expert translation services. Are you wondering where to start? Here is a list of the most common types of texts in the international fashion industry:
Fashion catalogues
You’ve launched a new collection, assembled a catalogue and now you want to market it overseas. To do so, hire our fashion catalogue translation services. We will take care of the terminology and ensure to communicate your business or brand essence.
Fashion websites
Websites are the new business cards. Yours is probably designed down to the smallest detail, from the background colour to the font.
We’ll make sure the translated website conveys the spirit of your brand and with our mother-tongue translators, your website will read naturally and not sound like translation. Find out more about website translation here.
Fashion product descriptions
Translating fashion product descriptions can be tricky due to the many specialised terms they use. Nobody knows better than you the care and effort that the design and manufacturing team invests in each garment. Everything is carefully thought out: the type of sleeve, collar, cut, stitching…
Our translation team knows the right terminology both in the source and the target language. In addition, we will compile a glossary of your preferred translations for specific words and ensure that they are applied in the target text. Taking care of this aspect will show that you are a serious and professional manufacturer or business.
Fashion content for social media
Social media has revolutionised the fashion industry. We used to read magazines; now we open any social network and check what influencers are wearing or what our favourite designers have released.
Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of this advertising strategy and invest in translating your fashion content for social media. Our team of professional translators knows the marketing strategies of the target country to help boost your sales.
How to choose the right fashion translation services provider
In the international fashion industry you can’t cut corners. Want to reach your target audience? Hire a professional translation service. Our professional native-speaking team will work on three key areas:
- Your brand or business essence. We will convey your values and uniqueness in another language.
- Carefully crafted language. We will ensure the translation meets all the grammatical and stylistic requirements and follows the marketing strategies of the target culture and country.
- Terminology. We will convey your business or brand image professionally in another language to prove your fashion expertise.
Examples of international fashion brands that have successfully expanded globally using translation and localisation
A case study of international fashion brands
What comes to your mind when you hear the words “international fashion brands”? It’s most probably not German brands, is it? Yet Germany – known mainly for its automotive industry – has managed to take the lead in fashion worldwide.
Marc O’Polo, a Swedish-German brand, and Esprit, of German origin, have successfully entered foreign markets. Part of their internationalisation strategy was to invest in the professional translation of their online shops and campaigns in different languages.
A case study of a Spanish brand
A national example is Nude Project. This brand, aimed at a very specific audience, is gaining more and more global recognition. One of its key strategies was the use of English in its garments and the investment in translating its website and advertisements.
Want to find out more about internationalisation and the importance of ecommerce translation? This article takes you through the steps of taking your business or brand global.
Fashion translation in brief
The fashion industry is constantly changing. Society evolves and so does the way we dress and act. Do you have a business competing in this dynamic sector? If you want to take it to the next level, invest in professional translation.
This is the only way to communicate the very essence of your business or brand to the target culture. Besides, a strong command of terminology in another language is essential in this industry. We will bridge all language and cultural gaps to help you succeed in the international market.
If you want your brand to be trendy in another language and conquer any market, hire our translation and interpreting services. Select the languages of the markets you want to enter and at Overseas Translations we will do our utmost to translate your compelling message into the language of your potential customers.
As Marilyn Monroe, one of the greatest cinema and fashion icons of all time, once said: “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world”. Well, we want to be your shoes and get your brand and designs the industry recognition they deserve.
