Virtual Fashion in a Pandemic
Mandatory social distancing naturally limits engagement with fashion products to online spaces, but the dilemma faced by retailers and consumers is more complex than it appears.
The coronavirus and the consequential quarantine measures have significantly impacted industries worldwide, and the fashion world is no exception. Mandatory social distancing naturally limits engagement with fashion products to online spaces, but the dilemma faced by retailers and consumers is more complex than it appears. Smaller fashion labels share the fear of their businesses not surviving the pandemic. While online shopping has not completely halted, established name-brands receive the bulk of profits while lesser-known companies struggle to retain financial stability.
Fashion businesses have attempted to combat the decline in revenue by offering discounts on their products. Online clothing stores’ coupons come in the form of codes, many of them aptly named such things as “STAYHEALTHY” and “STAYHOME15”. The imperativeness of supporting smaller fashion businesses cannot be overstated, especially those donating a percentage of their proceeds to various charities. For example, street fashion label John Elliott is donating $10,000 as well as 10% of their sales to the UCLA Health Fund to aid the medical personnel working endlessly during this pandemic. Footwear label Mia Becar takes the much more direct approach of donating all proceeds to the California Community Foundation COVID-19 L.A. Response Fund. The shopping habits of consumers seems even more uncertain, with the current suspension of wages and fashion tastes possibly changing due to a number of factors.
Mainstream fashion was already becoming more minimalistic, so working from home would only further encourage a daily casual manner of dress. As proof, online sales of tracksuits have skyrocketed in the US and UK since January. On the other hand, the overexposure of casual wear may leave some longing to dress formally once more. Fortunately, consumers have less costly options to remain connected with the fashion industry. Countless online magazines and blogs still update regularly, and there are fashion documentaries available on cable and streaming services. In fact, consumers can even learn how to craft their own fashions. Online tutorials are widely accessible, and companies sell fabric and crochet materials for affordable prices. Historical events have always influenced fashion trends, even spawning new generations of designers.
Report: Nia Hunt
Louis Vuitton Announced Its Next Collaboration With Nigo Named LV²
Louis Vuitton announced its next collaboration with Nigo named LV² and, most recently, shared its lookbook of the collection. Are we feelin' this collab with Nigo and Virgil Abloh?
Since the last collaboration with streetwear brand Supreme, Louis Vuitton announced its next collaboration with Nigo named LV² and, most recently, shared its lookbook of the collection through Instagram. Virgil Abloh, Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear, and Nigo have been longtime friends spanning back to Nigo’s creation of A Bathing Ape and now most recent streetwear company, Human Made.
As both brands created by Nigo have been centered on streetwear consumers, the released collection with the fashion house is that but opposite than the brand’s basic aesthetic and Supreme collection. The collection features hints of original LV’s classic designs featuring its signature logo, patchworks, and classic camel and chocolate brown colors. With Nigo’s influence, Human Made fonts are featured on classic streetwear bomber jackets, “dripping” Louis Vuitton designs are on bags (backpacks, travel and carrying bags), fitted caps are featured, and crisp tailoring are focused on suits and casualwear.
This fresh take on a collaboration with a streetwear creator will be the influence needed in the fashion industry to put more emphasis in design and less on the placement of logos. The full collection can be found in Virgil's most recent interview with Vogue. The release date of the collection has yet to be announced.
Photo Credit: Vogue.com
Report: Necole Jackson
Paris Fashion Week Spring 2020 Trend Recap
As Paris Fashion Week has come to an end last week, take note of upcoming trends from fall. Our favorite runway trend includes all-black outfits with bold pops of red showing your boss attitude and femininity.
Alexander McQueen - Fall Ready To Wear 2020
Chanel - Fall Ready To Wear 2020
As Paris Fashion Week and Fall 2020 Ready-To-Wear collections wrapped up a week ago and the weather transitions to Spring, now is the time to consider pieces, styles, and colors to incorporate in your wardrobe for Fall. Fall 2020 Ready-To-Wear notes collections from renowned designers, including Chanel, Saint Laurent, Yeezy, Sacai, etc. Each has their own interpretation of what the modern millennial woman should be wearing, but as great minds think alike, there are trending looks you should be paying attention to. While there are many trends to follow, our favorite and affordable trend includes all-black pieces with red statement pops. While each was designed differently, all featured the predominant black outfit featuring a pop of true red showing a bold, boss woman ready to take on the world.
Alexander McQueen included a deep-necked black suit and patent leather heels. The suit, not average, featured a detailed, elaborate sleeve, which also is in trend, in red. Chanel followed with a different approach to the trend featuring a dramatic, black evening gown with red accessories, including belts and handbags. Stella McCartney’s collection proved to be a favorite with a black and red flannel pattern in a two-pieces sweater and skirt with cutouts. As we will transition into Fall in the coming months, we are sure to see this black and red statement trend made affordably in fast-fashion stores like Zara, H&M, and ASOS.
Stella McCartney - Fall Ready To Wear 2020
Words by Necole Jackson.
Photo Credits: Vogue.com, Gorunway.com, Isidore Montag, Alessandro Lucioni/ Filippo Fior.
In The Industry: Sacai
Sacai is known for using contrasting textures and patterns in their collections also including unexpected shapes and silhouettes.
Sacai
(Sah-key)
Brand name:Sacai
Creative Director and Designer: Chitose Abe
Start year: 1999
Sacai SS17 RTW
Personal 411 on Sacai:
Chitose started her clothing line Sacai after 8 years of working with the Junya Watanabe collection at Comme des Garçons and opened their first flagship store in September 2011 in Minamiaoyama, Tokyo. Even though her garments are geared towards female, Chistose's main interest is creating collection of clothes that are "unique and timeless, innovative and experimental". Sacai is known for using a lot of contrasting textures and patterns in their collections also including unexpected shapes and silhouettes. Chitose is constantly influenced by her surrounding and the day-to-day life which gives her a lot of inspiration with her line Sacai; giving it a type of elegance that is based on classical items. Chitose's idea for her line is to make it easy to transfer each garment between different occasions in a female's day-to-day life and not only for special opportunities.
Sacai SS17 RTW
Personal review on Sacai SS17 collection:
Chitose’s influences for this collection were the likes of the iconic entertainers Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and Pablo Picasso just to name a few, wanting “to take things from their style and put it all together, as one”. And I feel like she did just that; filling this season’s collection with beautiful bold patterns and colorful sheer materials leaving each garment to stand on its own just like the talent of each artist she draw inspiration from. The collection as a whole is a piece of art that can be worn as show stoppers pieces to any event or daily basis.
Sacai SS17 RTW
Credits: Jenna G., Access Styling Intern
At the rise of Covid-19 many of us first questioned the timeline of fashion week and would we see the regular calendar continue - the question weighed over many of us for months! It was refreshing to see design houses and designers across the globe take advantage of the uncertainty and plow into production mode - thus my interest in Jerri Reid New York - The Black Designer based in Brooklyn New York wow’d instagram with his latest collection paying homage to the Black Is King film which debuted earlier this year in July. I was taken aback at quick of a turn round the young designer produced and released his well crafted designs reflecting some of the films most memorable moments.