Is this the end of fast fashion as we know, or should I say, knew, it?

As sustainability has become a growing topic and fast fashion is losing its momentum, people are becoming more aware. COVID-19 has opened humanity’s eyes to greater causes than pure monetary greed. 

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In terms of COVID-19, projects and the way campaigns are captured may be changed looking forward. 

The Business of Fashion wrote “More and more photographers are turning to webcams and smartphone lenses, whereas they used to rely on studio equipment like large format cameras, elaborate set designs and lighting rigs, as well as an extensive crew, in order to carry out their jobs”.

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Bella Hadid shot over a Facetime call for Vogue Italia by Haley Wollen and Brianna Capozzi, the first of its kind. 

Once people realize that a virtual campaign or shoot is achievable, it may change the dynamic of projects forever. 

The fashion industry in itself is becoming more human. Focusing on the environment has been a crucial part to play in the direction we are heading in. 

With COVID-19, the environment has been able to breathe. We are essentially forced to bring attention to the planet, seeing as the world has stopped before our eyes. 

WWD says, “Retailers are recognizing Earth Day 2020 and their own efforts to help the environment by campaigning on social media to drive customers to their web sites, where Earth-friendly products are being called out”. 

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Designers are creating masks and boutiques are selling them as well. WIll masks become a new staple after this stretch of time? 

People are already leaving their houses with protective equipment out of regard for the political enforcements, however, it may become a new code of dress.

As humanity leaps into the future, life after this will be far more considerate than it has been in the past few decades, otherwise known as the rat race. 

More consideration for our environment, for other human beings (showing compassion, what a concept),  and for ourselves and the overall status of health in general. 

Socially, the pandemic has taught everyone to stop and smell the roses. To slow things down in a race you can’t win. To cherish and protect nature around us, ourselves, and our loved ones. 

As fashion slows and takes this time to work on becoming more considerate, let’s all learn from it. It has some pretty powerful lessons to offer.

Fortunately, the age of princesses does not have to end after toddler years for brides. 

The bride gets one day a year to feel like a princess going on queen, and she should dress to play the part. 

Of course, dress does depend on the venue. Beach wedding dresses are typically simpler, for instance. But let’s take a look into the designers who appeal to the grandiose fans, those who go through life wearing an invisible tiara. 

Adrianna Papell is widely known for her enticing embellishments. Her dresses resemble that of a true princess. She has a way of adding glitz and glam to a dress so that it looks like pure magic. 

The lace bodices matched with the tulle skirt with sparkling netting draws the eye up and down the dress as it pans out so gracefully. 

The drapery and fall of the dress cascades with embellishment growing from the waist outwardly, a dramatic statement from your highness (of the wedding day).

Hand beaded lace, as well as beaded belts add an elegance to the gowns, and Adrianna deserves a nod for her high skill set in the embellishments consistently throughout her looks. 

Speaking of embellished, Badgley Mischka screams regality in their designs. 

The detail in the lace flows naturally throughout their dresses, and the quality of their gown material is in a league of its own. 

The 3D embroidered lace and the classic creamy color offers romance and class.

The soft, voluminous tulle presents a graceful and it looks like a cloud, resembling the embodiment of a dream.

Sweetheart necklines geometrically are rounded, representing the softness and fertility of a woman, as spheres in fact artfully representative of women.

Vera Wang never fails to add dimension into her princess gowns. 

Miss Wang reveals through her dresses that marriage has depth to it, she reveals that women have depth to them. There is an artful message conveyed.

Her ability to combine the bodice and the skirt in such a free flowing, yet “yin and yang” manner is stunning.

The skirts are swirling and cascading like smoke, and they have an ability to transport the look to become an enigma.

Silky textures appeal to the eye and the touch as the tulle shows in tiers and layers.

In the grand scheme of life, a bride has solely one day to herself. One day where all eyes are on her, one day to be a real life princess. These designers capture the dreaminess and magic radiated in the blossoming of marriage.

These days, the waistline acts as an equator. Fashion is worlds apart above and below it and the new “roll out of bed” look is to quite literally roll out of bed. 

Call it what you want, but quarantine chic is innovative and here to stay (hopefully not for too long though, fingers crossed). 

Frankly, although people are socially distant, life goes on. Meaning work and play are both still in session. Both require an isolator to dress the part. 

Above the waistline, quarantine chic calls for business. The sweaters, perhaps blouses, button ups. To cater to the taste of fellow zoom call participants, some must pretend to dress the part. 

Here’s where the party on the bottom comes into play. The possibilities are endless. Fuzzy socks, fuzzy pants, sweats from your best friend’s sweet sixteen birthday bash in high school (vintage).

Slippers, moccasins, or even barefoot. Feet and legs and comfy, people can finally physically kick back and relax. 

This half and half ensemble reflects the world’s reaction to COVID-19. There is a desire to emerge back into the productiveness and action of life, but not exactly the rat race. 

COVID-19 has enlightened and urges the public to stop and smell the roses. Culturally, especially in the tri state area, as a human race things were moving at such high speeds.

The flexibility and balance between work and life needs to be reinstilled into the DNA of families today. Sure, anyone can have a fancy high paying job and spend all their time chasing a dollar. But what cannot be measured is love, quality time, and self care.

The different and what some would call “crazy” patterns and outfits people are sporting are calls to action. It serves as a reminder that it is important to live fully. 

Regardless, life does not end. Love does not end. Relationships do not end. Conversation does not end. Joy does not end. Passion does not end. 

To find the silliness and balance needed to get through this uncertainty is important. To find the silver lining, wherever that may be, in fun pants or fuzzy slippers, is all part of our healing. 

Perhaps once this is all said and done, humans will consider the balance with each new pursuit they encounter. In a time where everyone wants to be the one to know, maybe this will teach humans to find peace in uncertainty, and become one with faith.

Model: Myself among the many days home

Pricing and where to buy: found in the captions of the pictures

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.

Fran Fine may not exactly embody a royal, but she is in fact from Queens, New York. 

The star of the ‘90s sitcom, The Nanny, is notorious for her heightened fashion sense and ability to own whatever she struts her stuff in on any given day. 

Fran added spunk to any look on the show, she was bold, brave, and curious when it came to style. 

She added pops of color and patterns to liven up a stuffy setting, considering some of the characters especially the ones she worked for were very uptight. 

Her style resembled her character- it represented life. She represented life. Fran’s character was funny, playful, and loud. She commanded a room with her personality and her outfits. 

Fran stood her ground in a feminine way, she always spoke her truth and that is why she is an icon. Her fashion sense just further expresses her humor, light heartedness and fun loving nature.

As Warner expresses in “Fashion on Television: Identity and Celebrity Culture”, “The lead actors (who have achieved fashion-icon status) function as cultural intermediaries”  Fran linked the color and pop of ‘90s fashion to this posh world she entered into during the television show.

The Warner stated “media personalities of fashion icons” encompass what they live by on their shows. Any television fashionista has a clear cut look that is compatible with their personality or role in the web of characters. 

Thankfully, Fran brings enough humor to almost outshine her fashion sense. She introduced patterns and bright pops of color to entertain, but with that she brought her personality. 

Television characters do serve as reminders to up our looks here and there, but they also continuously remind that everyone can express the messages they want to be heard through clothing. 

Fact or fiction, everyone has a story to tell and a flare to bring of their own. Fran took the position she was in and made it her own, she decided to see the best in it and have fun. At the end of the day, that is what every fashionista should aim to achieve, a sense of fun.

How to be fierce when it’s raining men? Pant. Suit. 

Women make a stand the only way we know how to: through fashion. The best collaboration to date is a woman in a pantsuit. 

In a man’s world (still to this day), how on earth are women expected to assert their presence and be taken seriously? Whether it be in a business setting of some sort, throughout royalty, or in any position of hierarchy, the powers of fashion prove unstoppable. 

Simply dressing in a certain outfit or style allows a woman to exude a message of how she wants to be seen by the world. In many cases, pantsuits are made for a woman who does not want to be taken lightly. 

Even in the entertainment industry, celebrities who are females suffer from sexism, unequal pay, and sometimes worse, things get physical and lines are crossed.

The pantsuit allows for these women to present themselves as an equal to men, the way they’d like to be seen. Other industries can in fact be political as well.

Not only is it important to be treated fairly in business, but simply as human beings. The pantsuit allows women to demand a room, to capture a crowd’s attention, to have their voices heard without even speaking. Are there hidden messages that demand respect?

Of course the pantsuit became popular in the ‘70s, but it has proved itself to be a trend that is unwavering and carries into modern times. Times are still not where they should be in terms of gender equality in numerous industries.

The first woman to bring a masculine flair was Jeannette Rankin, who was the first woman to be elected to congress. 

She dealt with a time with far worse inequality issues than we face currently, so imagine the statements she made in such a close minded time period. 

It is also an internationally recognized and celebrated trend, Americans and others alike strut in their pantsuits, even Princess Diana, a beacon of royal femininity, took it upon herself to embrace the pantsuit. 

Politicians in America, such as Hillary Clinton, also brought further meaning to the pantsuit and have confirmed that the pantsuits are not a thing of the past just yet. When Hilary ran against male competition in the 2016 election, she made it a point to dress the part.

Other women in politics such as representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and first lady Michelle Obama continued to carry on the tradition as well. 

Michelle Obama broke stigmas as well, being a first lady used to demand submissiveness on the woman’s part, however Michelle made statements of power with her suits. 

It is interesting to see the way fashion channels our inner feelings. When women and men are in a room, all dressed alike, does that further encourage men to treat women as equals? Or does it propel them in the opposite direction?

In high, public positions, people utilize their fashion sense to send messages about their intentions, morals, and values. Of course fashion is fun, however it serves a bigger purpose on such a heightened platform.

Fashion is an ever changing industry, it is always ahead of schedule and perpetually moving. There are rarely times where consumers and creators can rely on trends, as they are in the moment and before we can catch them, they’re gone in the blink of an eye.

There are some looks however, that feel like a home base, a safe haven that we can always go back to if we wake up feeling classic. 

Or sometimes, people secretly feel lazy and don’t feel like putting too much thought into an outfit, but of course a true fashionista always dresses to impress. 

This is where classics like denim on denim, or trendy variations of denim come into play and save the day.

It seems that these days people cannot walk down a street without seeing some form of denim on denim or fun jeans.

Women are celebrating their bodies as denim compliments all body types and there is no better feeling than finding that perfect fit. 

Denim is not only in jean form or jean jacket form, but it has been turned into dresses, rompers, and jumpsuits to add a different twist to a reliable classic. 

“Fun” jeans have been the newest trend under the denim category,  the frills and flare are the talk of the town. 

On the app VSCO, which millions of young girls have downloaded to their phones, there are features of fun jeans and denim combinations, which inspires streetwear today. 

Celebrities such as Sofia Richie have denim lines with Revolve and other sites that young women turn to as trendsetters, and there have been emerging ways to style denim looks.

Denim could be made casual, dressed up with jewelry and practically crafted into any chic or grunge look that a person sees fit. 

Denim on denim is so 90s of everyone, but even 90s music is coming back into style. I mean, the Backstreet Boys are making their musical return, so why can’t Britney and Justin’s fashion staple do the same?

Denim has been a part of every generational style depending on the cut, and it still remains a constant dependable look for people of any age.

Young women are the trailblazers for trends and they set the tone for the rest of the population, there is a need to have a good pair of jeans. 

There are no limits to the setting that you can find denim in city settings and country settings, so it ranges geographically as well. 

Denim could be made grunge with baggy jeans, chic with a denim jumpsuit, and everything in between with a jacket and a similar tone jeans. 

Denim will never go out of style and there is a cultural consistency with it, people are always attracted to its ability to unite cultures and geographical areas.

People are attracted to values of tradition, consistency and being relatable. Denim serves not only looks, but these values as well.

Denim on denim is a classic look and I live by that

— aridebs (@aridebs1) March 12, 2020

Denim will continue to circle and it will prevail as an integral part of streetwear as we know it!

Ever hear of a woman who went by the name of Princess Diana? Of course you have.

Known as the “people’s princess”, this woman was only one of the most respected royals of our time. Diana ruled as a beacon of vulnerability, modern motherhood, and philanthropy, all while becoming a style icon whose legacy is endless. 

Diana adapted well to the royal code of conduct when it came to fashion, as she was often seen adhering to the queen’s rather conservative rules. Unfortunately, she passed away in 1997, but she is still a royal legend, who continues to make waves with her style.

Queen Elizabeth respected Diana so much that she bowed at her grave. This gesture was to not be taken lightly, and Diana’s mutual respect for her people was the reason why she embodied class.

Fashion is about how a person owns what they wear, as they are. Princess Diana was unapologetically herself, and her sense of confidence and security enabled her as a trendsetter.

And although Diana had the utmost respect for her royal family and the people of England, her claim to fame as a style icon stemmed from her ability to have fun and glide lightly through life. Her joyful outlook was reflected through her fashion. 

Her loyalty to England was evident, as she favored designers such as Catherine Walker, a French native fashion designer based in London. 

Her eye for textures, colors and patterns was progressive, she loved to experiment with a wide range of fabrics and eye catching looks. Like a true royal, she commanded any room she walked into.

Princess Diana’s ability to remain conservative and elegant yet add a playful and dramatic flare to her outfits could speak volumes of her outlook in her royal position. 

Just because rules were imposed on her, perhaps fashion was her platform to convey that she had respect for her position, yet she made it her mission to transform it into her own.

It was that quiet confidence inside of her. She perfected the art of balancing the loyalty of a royal with the authenticity and excitement of a young woman. She ran free with fashion in an admirable way, one that upheld tradition but was customizable. 

Princess Diana’s poise and class is what earned her admiration. Her kindness shone through her looks, she never radiated arrogance or any flashiness, she had her head held high without breaking her neck. 

Today, it is difficult to find a celebrity or royal member who embodies this quiet confidence that Diana so perfectly brought to life. She is recognized as an icon today because she never felt the constant need to prove that she was one when she was living.

Her color choices were often bright with textures that celebrate womanhood, and historically, Princess Diana glamorized motherhood and the devotion to philanthropy. 

A woman of such goodness and light had a clear soft spot for pastels and feminine patterns. She even had the ability to make the color black look soft and delicate. 

Her love for accessories such as exaggerated hats and statement belts added texture as well. Diana loved to create dimension and layers to outfits that, if it were up to any other royal, would be frankly bland. 

Her death shone light on her genuine, sweet soul and she won over the hearts of the world with her selflessness and zeal for life. It is amazing that art imitates life, and in this case, the art Diana lived in imitated her life.

The only time Princess Diana ever defied rules was to feel more connected to humanity, as seen in her philanthropic efforts.

Princess Diana was undoubtedly in a league of her own. 

The enigma that is Fall 2020 fashion has finally surfaced, and with major layers of ambiguity. While of course fashion is an art that celebrates drawing outside of the lines, traditional rules were kicked to the curb on the runway. 

Whether it be a case of looks coming back full circle or flipping the bird to conventional thinking, the runways were alive with reinvention. It is crystal clear that designers were the trailblazers who dove head first into the depths of ambiguity.

Silky and satin oriented outfits made a royal statement! Something about the light reflection and smooth, buttery textures screams opulence and class, and perhaps it is not a thing of the past after all. 

Silk was reintroduced to New York by Badgley Mischka, Fendi, Gucci, and Moschino this year. 

The formal and silk look was on brand for Badgley Mischka, given the theme of their entire line aligned with opulence and class.

However, in light of Fendi and Gucci, who displayed looks with a flare of power and business, the silk proved range in its ability to be paired with varying textures and hues. 

Moschino, like Badgley Mischka, used silk as a punctuation, in haute gowns that radiated extravagance and wealth. 

Silk and satin were founded on tradition and may have been propelled into the spotlight as a comeback, but one thing is for sure. Pairing business casual and streetwear is an up and coming, never before seen trend. 

The business casual and streetwear duo. What could be a nod to the 90s grunge looks, designers are using the pair to possibly shine light on the insights of today’s drive to prosper in a career, especially in the city that never sleeps. 

Tom Ford boldly mixes a brand named t shirt with a cheetah blazer and business casual pants, drawing their picture far beyond the lines. 

Max Mara, Versace and Rag and Bone utilized beanies, jeans, casual sweatshirts and coats being paired with business casual blazers, skirts, and pants to give an original and refreshing taste to the fashion game. 

More likely than not, the consumer world will stop in their tracks and cock their heads in confusion before warming up to the trend. Through an artistic lens, it is a breath of fresh air to see creativity and innovation awakening once again. 

Say hello again to fringe! A staple of the roaring 20s, fringe came to play this fashion week.

The versatility of fringe was showcased beautifully by Bottega Veneta, Dolce and Gabbana, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors. Fringe serves as a physical representation of sparks of life exploding from the looks.

Both knitted and as a sparkly embellishment, fringe is the fashion hero that we forgot we needed.

There is something to be said about the accent and old fashioned fun fringe adds to an entire look, even in the smallest places. 

White after Labor day? Designers say why not! There is an unusual amount of white looks in the Burberry, Caroline Herrera, Jacquemus, and Marc Jacobs shows. 

The color white is associated with light and goodness, and the looks tend to be either sleek whites or veer towards floral and circular patterns. 

As circles and florals represent the state of natural being, perhaps designers are incorporating a gentle feel to the Fall trends.

The meaning of the art is more intentional as time progresses, and rules established in a time where art wasn’t celebrated on such a platform have no place in these shows. White is the new Fall look, and it’s time to have fun with it!

 

Unconventional and thought provoking, Longchamp stuck to its origin theme of wanderlust from their days of passport covers and leather goods for travel.

Longchamp utilized deep color throughout their Fall 2020 New York Fashion Week show. There is an earthiness to the line, an outdoorsy and adventurous look to it. The depth of color and incorporation of warmth and darkness added a layer of mystery to the line.

It is heavily influenced by patterns that frame the body and drape over bordering areas. Layering is used as a technique, and more often than not. The layers offer a form of security and protection from perhaps the adventures that these clothes were meant to be taken in.

Yet Longchamp inspires the larger picture of curiosity and ambition as there is an edginess to the pieces, a ruggedness. Not exactly in a grunge style but in a daring and exciting embodiment. It hints at a boho influence in some cases, and the line seems as though it belongs in a rustic setting.

The richness of the color choices like the hunter greens, the deep reds, the browns, add a natural element to the line. A nod to the Longchamp roots of candid exploration.

 The use of black in most of the outfits contrasts the patterns or lighter colors included and I feel like there was an alter ego personality brought out by the unconventional darkness. The use of coloring in this line spoke volumes to the overall theme of the line. It could very well represent the warm hearts of adventurous women who have a dark side.

The line reminds me of the broadway show Wicked,  of women who have become fearless by defying the rules that are attempted to be imposed on them. Women become rebellious in the face of adversity, and Longchamp gathered the resources to shine a light on resilience and lust for life.

Color is everything. Longchamp made unwavering visual statements with color alone. 

The accessories, commonly boots and belts, exuded adventure and a “buckle up” attitude! 

Geographic elements that are more defined in art, such as squares and shapes with hard corners traditionally represent men, and the softer shapes like circles tend to be representative of women. Here we see both. The images speak for themselves.

As a woman with zeal for traveling and experiencing new life moments, Longchamp speaks to the demographic of women. Active and full life is meant to take place in the line. Though there are layers and added elements to the entire outfit, it gives off a wild child look. 

Women were meant to let their souls run free, and the boho aspect of the line conveys a message of living life to the fullest and coloring outside of the lines, dabbling in experiences that shape us into risk takers. Fashion has the power to bring new values to life, especially values of experimentation and disregard for conventions.

The line has the strong potential to spark a fire inside those who travel, soak up all the experiences and new journeys life has to offer. Longchamp encourages dabbling in the unknown, throwing caution to the wind.