The onset of COVID-19 ambushed the front row to go digital instead of hastily hustling between fashion capitals. The fashion world has been pushed over the edge from the brink of colossal change headfirst into a cyberspace driven industry.
Amidst ever changing lockdown policies and unending quarantines designers realised the power of digital media in reaching the masses thus creating a level playing field for the newbies and giants alike limiting criticised exclusivity in the industry. Despite the existence of uneven technological availability and accessibility issues across the world, virtual fashion weeks nevertheless, might just be the survival technique essential to encourage sustainability in fast-paced industry.
Many designers had a conscientious response to the climate crisis and made ethical choices right from the fabrics they used, to uplifting the local artisan and craftsman community alongside fusing technology for brand engagement. Drawing focus back home—Indian designers supported karigars at the time that they needed to be the most. With travel restrictions and a stringent lockdown, many were out of job.
A MOMENT IN TIME
Inspiration for most designers’ collections came from a slow-paced world as the cities went into lockdowns and coronavirus subsumed our existence. Amit Aggarwal explained how the unrelenting lockdown influenced his work and headspace towards a mindful sustainable future. Silhouettes and colours borrowed from elements of nature–the air, the ocean and the trees remained prevalent in the underlying genesis of his couture. Aggarwal put forth a case to be conscious in our choices by giving an ode to the environment as the world continues to battle the climate change emergency.
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Being nudged in the digital direction has been a milestone for the fashion industry towards encouraging sustainability as the new normal. Woolmark Prize winner Rahul Mishra's Lotus Pond collection for India Couture Week 2020 reflects on nature’s way of restoring and nurturing itself. Blossoming pastel hues with brushes of impressionism around dragonflies, fishes and planktons hand embroidered over hundreds of hours empower the craftsman with spotlight. Mishra’s couture is mindful of fast fashion choices and encourages the consumers to pause and reflect on the bigger picture.
The power of social media has never been more central to our economy than now–hosting fashion week events via online streaming may have successfully happened this year however, designers like Rahul Mishra emphasise that the ability of human touch will be enough euphoria for physical shows next year.
Introspection has been instrumental in the designer–consumer relationship making responsible choices in an aftermath of these unprecedented times. Avoiding disposability of pieces, producing and buying surplus will hold the torch to a diverse, digitalised and responsible future for fashion in the time of and post corona.