Paris, Shanghai, New York, Tokyo, Berlin; these are some of the top fashion epicenters worldwide. These cities are the driving forces of cultural trendsetters who have major influences on design, commerce and eventually the economy ("Fashion Capitals"). Being internationally recognized as having strong identities in fashion, these capitals develop a mixture of business, recreation, and cultural activities to compensate for. This huge success, no matter the place, is due to the ambiance and hype that surrounds each different society. Once a product begins its popularity and is a trend, everyone seeks out what it is and where they can get it, especially if there is a story behind it.
Sig Zane Designs, a local business located in downtown Hilo, Hawaii was founded in 1985 by “fisherman, surfer, dancer, artist and cultural practitioner” Sig Zane (SigZane.com). Sig incorporates the Hawaiian culture into each of his designs and perpetuates the values of the distinctive Hawaiian plants and the lifestyle of the people. In this instance the whole business is built on the Hawaiian culture. His knowledge of the culture has made his business very successful, having just celebrated their 29th anniversary this past October. Many corporations are working and compiling works together with the ever-growing local …show more content…
Regardless of the area of work: technology, finance, computers or consumer electronic, global cultural differences will directly impact the profitability of the business. Improving levels of cultural awareness can help companies build international competencies and enable individuals to become more globally sensitive. If people don’t have the right level of knowledge about these issues, they are taking a gamble every time they work cross-border, why bet on the future of a business or a