The Covid-19 virus is changing the course of the fashion industry forever, specifically in the sense of recently onset greed.
Covid-19 acts as the merging of dividing and uniting. The world seems to be falling apart at the seams in certain aspects, but humanity is simultaneously working toward a common goal, despite background or differences, for the first time in an unbelievably long time.
Pre quarantine days, fast fashion was rising like never seen before, and now according to the WWD Instagram account “Slow fashion is on the rise…the beginning of a shift in shopping behaviors”.
Giorgio Armami wrote an open letter which was exposed on WWD’s Instagram account, stating “This crisis is an opportunity to slow down and realign everything, to define a more meaningful landscape”.
Vogue Italia posted the first ever all white cover of their issues. They also posted to Instagram explaining the enhanced meaning behind this decision in such trying times. Their caption stated “But to speak of anything else- while people are dying, doctors and nurses are risking their lives and the world is changing forever- is not in the DNA of Vogue Italia”.
The white is a representation of respect, rebirth, light, doctor uniforms, space and time, silence, and a blank sheet waiting to be written.
The pause and gap in fast fashion and high levels of consumerism is giving even celebrities a moment to put their energies into a cause greater than one of greed, something beyond themselves.
Teri Agins discusses the celebrity and designer relationship. “I don’t really think they connect to the designers….I think they really do glom onto what the celebrities are doing” Agins said.
“Then the celebrities started demanding for the designers to pay them…then the celebrities said ‘wow we have so much clout that we can be our own brand’”
The patterns of celebrity creations have come to a half as celebrities and designers are now once again working together to battle Covid-19. Plenty of celebrities have been releasing collaborations in effort to raise more funds to put toward Covid-19 purposes.
Demi Lovato is just one example of a celebrity who is putting greed on the backburner, and responding to the problem at hand. She and Fabletics have previously worked together and have a history of celebrating all body shapes and body positivity.
Lovato and Fabletics are giving five dollars for every item sold off of their limited edition collection to provide gear to healthcare workers and people on the floors of hospitals.
Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and others are partnering with WHO and Global Citizen to raise funds for the pandemic by performing a global concert.
Though economic times are increasingly difficult, celebrities are investing their talents and connections to build up brands and products that serve a purpose.
Local boutiques are closing down temporarily considering in person shopping cannot resume.
Many, such as Cetta Boutique in Bergen County, New Jersey are still working behind closed doors to combat Covid-19.
On their Instagram account, Cetta Boutique has stated that they will now be selling fabric washable masks so that they are more easily accessible to local customers.
And while the fashion industry has geared the production towards masks and other protective gear, they remain fashionable with various colors and patterns to choose from.
The dynamic of shopping is further pushed towards online platforms, which raises the question of whether boutiques are a thing of the past.
There is no sector of the fashion industry that is not facing hardship, people have lost financial stability due to the economic blows from the pandemic.
The Business of Fashion released a quote, stating that “No company will get through the pandemic alone, and fashion players need to share data, strategies, and insights on how to navigate the storm” said CEO Imran Amed.
Above all, it is crucial that the fashion world suppresses greed, while continuing to use their elevated platform and exceptional talents to combat the global pandemic as a unit.
Your Royal Hauteness 