Individuality on fashion diffusion: Differentiation versus independence

Individuality (a desire for differentiation and a behaviour of non‐conformity) appears to be a motivation for the adoption of fashion innovation. However, the concept of individuality is bi‐dimensional with a desire for differentiation and a tendency towards independence. An individual who is independent is aware of social norms but not affected by them and hence docs not necessarily show fashion innovativeness. This study examines the bi‐dimensional concept of individuality and investigates its relationship to fashion innovativeness and opinion leadership. Data were obtained from 461 female college students. Factor analysis divided individuality into two dimensions: differentiation and independence. Differentiation was more related to fashion innovativeness than was independence. Fashion innovativeness and opinion leadership were correlated. Differentiation had a direct effect on fashion innovativeness while independence showed no significant effect. Differentiation and fashion innovativeness affected opinion leadership in the same magnitude, but independence showed a slightly negative effect. The results imply that the application of individuality, particularly, differentiation to fashion promotion and marketing strategies would be profitable.