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Interview with Akar Kumar

Akar Kumar
Akar Kumar
Marketing Manager
WFX (World Fashion Exchange)

Empowering Fashion Brands and Manufacturers
WFX (World Fashion Exchange) is a leading fashion technology company dedicated to transforming fashion businesses through innovative, cloud-based solutions. With over 20 years of experience, WFX has built a global presence, serving 600+ customers across 50+ countries. Originally founded by fashion industry insiders frustrated with outdated systems, WFX develops cutting-edge, easy-to-use technology that streamlines operations, enabling brands to scale efficiently in a fast-paced industry. In an interview with Fibre2Fashion, Marketing Manager Akar Kumar discusses how WFX’s marketing strategy has evolved, the role of digital transformation in the fashion industry, and how the company continues to drive innovation, sustainability, and customer engagement in an increasingly competitive market.

How has the adoption of cloud-based solutions transformed operations in the fashion industry, and what challenges remain?

The adoption of cloud-based solutions has revolutionised the fashion industry by breaking down silos and fostering real-time collaboration across global teams. Fashion brands and manufacturers now operate with greater agility, accessing data-driven insights to accelerate product development and enhance supply chain visibility. This shift has empowered businesses to stay responsive to market trends and consumer demands. 
However, the transition is not without challenges. Many organisations still grapple with legacy systems and resistance to change. Successful adoption requires not just technological upgrades but also a cultural shift—ensuring teams are equipped and confident in leveraging these new tools.

With increasing global supply chain disruptions, how can digitalisation and automation help apparel manufacturers build resilience?

Recent disruptions have underscored the need for resilience. Digitalisation and automation serve as critical enablers. By integrating real-time data systems, manufacturers can identify potential bottlenecks early and pivot swiftly. Automation optimises production lines, reduces human error, and ensures consistency—ultimately shortening lead times and improving delivery performance.
Additionally, digital platforms strengthen supplier collaboration, enabling multi-sourcing strategies and fostering more flexible supply chain networks. This agility is key to mitigating risks and maintaining operational continuity.

What role does AI and machine learning play in optimising product development and manufacturing processes in the fashion industry?

AI and machine learning are transforming the way the fashion industry approaches both design and production. Predictive analytics helps brands forecast demand with greater precision, reducing overproduction and minimising inventory waste. In manufacturing, AI-powered quality control systems ensure defects are identified early, enhancing product standards and cutting down on rework. 
Furthermore, machine learning-driven insights assist in optimising production schedules and inventory levels, enabling businesses to respond swiftly to fluctuations in demand.

How are fashion brands and manufacturers balancing digital transformation with sustainability and ethical sourcing concerns?

Fashion businesses increasingly recognise that digital transformation can be a powerful ally in their sustainability journey. Technology platforms, like PLM systems, offer end-to-end traceability—allowing brands to track materials from source to shelf. This not only ensures ethical sourcing but also enables businesses to measure and report on their sustainability initiatives transparently. 
By leveraging digital tools, brands are achieving both operational efficiency and environmental responsibility, proving that profitability and sustainability can go hand in hand.

WFX has a strong legacy of over 25 years in fashion technology. How has the marketing strategy evolved to keep pace with the industry’s changing demands?

At WFX, our marketing strategy has evolved from being product-centric to customer-first. Over the years, we have recognised that our real value lies in the success of our clients. Today, our approach is rooted in understanding their unique challenges and showcasing how our solutions empower them to thrive. 
We have shifted towards storytelling—sharing real-world success stories and demonstrating the tangible impact our technology has on business outcomes. This human-centric approach has helped us resonate with our audience and solidify our leadership in the industry. 

With WFX being a pioneer in cloud-based fashion software, what are the key messaging pillars you focus on to differentiate the brand in a competitive market?

Our messaging is built on four core pillars: 
  • Industry Expertise: Emphasising our 25+ years of exclusive focus on fashion technology.
  • Innovation & Agility: Showcasing our cloud-first approach and continuous product evolution.
  • Customer Success: Highlighting the achievements of brands and manufacturers who have scaled with WFX.
  • Future-Ready Solutions: Positioning WFX as a trusted partner for businesses navigating digital transformation and sustainability goals.

How do you leverage digital marketing, content, and social media to communicate WFX’s value proposition to fashion brands and manufacturers?

Our digital marketing strategy revolves around building thought leadership and fostering community engagement. We create insightful content—ranging from whitepapers to customer case studies—that addresses industry challenges and offers actionable solutions. 
Social media platforms, especially LinkedIn and Instagram, allow us to humanise our brand by sharing behind-the-scenes moments, success stories, and industry trends. This multi-channel approach ensures that we remain top-of-mind and build meaningful connections with our audience.

What role does AI-enabled technology play in WFX’s product offerings, and how do you communicate its impact to potential clients?

While AI is an emerging area of focus for WFX, we are in the process of developing AI-powered features to enhance our solutions. Our vision is to leverage AI to further streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and provide deeper data-driven insights to our customers. 
At this stage, we focus on educating our customers about the future potential of AI in fashion technology, helping them understand how such advancements can enhance decision-making and operational agility. As we continue developing these capabilities, we remain committed to ensuring that AI-driven innovation aligns with the evolving needs of fashion brands and manufacturers.

Customer acquisition and retention are critical in the SaaS industry. What strategies does WFX use to ensure long-term customer engagement?

Beyond acquiring customers, our focus is on building lasting partnerships. Our dedicated Customer Success team works closely with clients to ensure they extract maximum value from our solutions. Regular check-ins, personalised training sessions, and ongoing support foster trust and drive long-term engagement. 
Additionally, we create opportunities for customers to share their feedback, shaping our product roadmap and strengthening our relationship.

WFX provides solutions for both fashion brands and manufacturers. How do you tailor your marketing approach to cater to these distinct customer segments?

We understand that brands and manufacturers operate with different priorities. For brands, we highlight our design and collaboration tools that accelerate time-to-market. For manufacturers, we emphasise production efficiency and quality control features.
This nuanced approach ensures that our messaging resonates with the specific needs and aspirations of each segment.

With sustainability and traceability becoming key concerns in the fashion industry, how does WFX position itself as a solution for brands looking to enhance their ESG initiatives?

Sustainability and traceability are no longer just industry buzzwords; they are essential for fashion brands looking to meet evolving regulatory requirements and consumer expectations. At WFX, we empower brands with digital tools that provide end-to-end visibility across the supply chain, enabling them to track raw materials, monitor supplier compliance, and measure environmental impact effectively. 
Our Traceability software allows brands to map their entire supply chain, capturing real-time data on sourcing, production, and distribution. This ensures transparency by linking every step of the process to sustainability goals, helping brands identify risks such as non-compliant suppliers, excessive waste, or carbon footprint hotspots. With automated sustainability reporting, brands can generate insights to meet ESG commitments, align with frameworks like the UN SDGs, GHG Protocol, and upcoming regulatory standards like the EU Digital Product Passport. 
By integrating sustainability into product development through PLM (Product Lifecycle Management), brands can make smarter material choices, reduce waste, and ensure compliance right from the design stage. WFX helps companies transition from fragmented, manual tracking methods to a centralised, tech-driven ESG strategy, making sustainability a measurable and actionable business priority. 
We position ourselves as partners in responsible growth, helping businesses strike the right balance between profitability and ethical responsibility, ensuring that sustainability is not just a compliance requirement but a competitive advantage.

How does WFX collaborate with fashion industry influencers, trade shows, and media to expand brand awareness and credibility?

We actively engage with industry leaders and participate in flagship events like Bharat Tex, Apparel Sourcing Week, Fashion Tech Week, ITMA Asia, and SaigonTex. Collaborations with influencers and media partners amplify our reach and reinforce our credibility as an industry leader. 
These partnerships open doors to new audiences and enable us to contribute meaningfully to the industry dialogue.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a marketing leader in the fashion tech space, and how do you address them?

Navigating a crowded market and cutting through the noise is a constant challenge. We address this by focusing on authenticity—letting our work and customer success stories speak for themselves. 
Staying ahead also requires agility. We continuously monitor industry shifts, adapt our strategies, and invest in upskilling our team.

Looking ahead, what marketing trends or innovations do you see shaping the future of fashion technology, and how is WFX preparing for them?

The future of marketing in fashion technology is shifting towards hyper personalisation, AI-driven engagement, and community-led branding. Brands are increasingly leveraging data-driven insights to deliver highly targeted messaging and improve customer experiences. 
At WFX, we are exploring AI-powered marketing automation to optimise campaigns, enhance lead nurturing, and deliver personalised content that speaks to the specific needs of fashion businesses. Thought leadership and community-building are also becoming critical, and we continue to strengthen our brand by sharing high-value content, customer success stories, and collaborating with industry influencers and media. 
Additionally, data-driven decision-making is transforming marketing strategies. We are leveraging analytics to refine our messaging, optimise content performance, and ensure that we reach the right audience with the right message at the right time. 
As marketing continues to evolve, WFX is staying ahead by embracing innovation, deepening audience engagement, and leveraging emerging trends to drive meaningful conversations in the fashion tech space.
Published on: 01/04/2025

DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.

This interview was first published in the Apr 2025 edition of the print magazine