• Linkdin

IMPRESSIONS from a Cross-section

Topic

How is COVID-19 set to impact fashion trends?

Virtual reality would be the new normal

The Indian textile and apparel industry, believed to be the fourth largest in the world, is looking at a loss of around $2 billion in the coming months. Fibre2Fashion spoke to some young designers to find out how they are dealing with the COVID-19 situation.


Seasons and trends have been thrown out of the window. People are slowing down, which is good for the environment. We have realised the importance of basic necessities and it will reflect on our wardrobes too. Functionality, multi-faceted usage and comfort will become key factors. At the other end of the spectrum, once the lockdown is over, people will go crazy going out, networking with people and socialising outdoors. Events and socialising will boom, and local tourism will get a boost. Thus, resort fashion and easy lounge and wearable social dressing will be in. The trends will grow in two opposite directions— either people will go for clean, minimal, functional, basic, wearable fashion, or go in your face, YOLO-driven, fun and daring joyous fashion.

We’re hoping Covid-19 will settle down and people will return to normal life. It will take a couple of months; things will be opened in a staggered manner. Once the fear goes, people will get back to their normal lives and resume how they were wearing and buying earlier, but with a greater appreciation and understanding of the product.

The coming months will be unpredictable and uncertain, but I see a bright future. All big fashion movements in history mostly happened after a global shakeup. I see designers selling existing dead stock in discounted prices to kickstart after the lockdown. Chasing technology and digitalisation more than ever, and essentials becoming more advanced and capsulated, togetherness will become more intimate and important despite being more isolated than before. I see science, art, design and technology coming together to revisit possibilities for a better future.

People will experience art and culture that is more digitally driven instead of a physical presence. Virtual reality would be the new normal, and brick and mortar stores will become experience centres.

Published on: 12/05/2020

DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.