London – London Fashion Week opened on Friday but
\nwithout catwalk shows due to the coronavirus pandemic, which is leading to a
\nrethink of the seasonal event and reinventing the whole industry.<\/p>\n
In addition to the 100 percent digital format, this Fashion Week —
\nusually
\ndedicated to men’s collections — will mix genres, an innovation that will
\ncontinue post-pandemic.<\/p>\n
For the first time since it was conceived in 1983, there will be no
\nmodels
\nparading new collections before crowds at the biannual event.
\nInstead, some designers, such as the duo JORDANLUCA, will present their
\nspring\/summer 2021 collections or smaller “capsule” collections by
\nvideo.<\/p>\n
Others such as Hussein Chalayan, will take viewers on a
\nbehind-the-scenes
\ntour of their collection.<\/p>\n
All content posted online, which will include interviews with
\ndesigners,
\nshowroom visits and discussions on the environment and racism, will be
\navailable free of charge.<\/p>\n
“I think that conversation has really developed over the last few
\nweeks
\nthis idea of reset, not just in terms of the industry slowing down, but
\ntaking
\non board its impact on the environment,” Caroline Rush, director of the
\nBritish Fashion Council (BFC) which promotes British fashion, told AFP. <\/p>\n
With global outrage at the death of George Floyd, an unarmed African
\nAmerican in US police custody, the fashion industry also has an “opportunity
\nto be much more open, diverse, to use this voice around issues such as
\nracism,” she added.<\/p>\n
The global pandemic is dealing a heavy blow to British fashion, with
\n73
\npercent of companies in the industry already reporting order cancellations,
\naccording to the BFC.
\nThe fashion industry, which employs 890,000 people, directly contributed
\n£35 billion ($43.6 billion, 38 billion euros) to the UK’s GDP in 2019 — an
\nannual increase of 9.4 percent.<\/p>\n
Professionals were already concerned before the outbreak about the
\npossible
\nnegative impact of Brexit on what is a highly international industry.
\n“The majority of our industry did not want to leave the EU… we have
\nvery
\nclose trading relationships and industry and have benefited definitely from
\nbeing part of the EU, so… it’s very important that, where possible, those
\nlinks are able to continue,” said Rush.(AFP)<\/p>\n
Crédit : Victoria Beckham PE20<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
London – London Fashion Week opened on Friday but without catwalk shows due to the coronavirus pandemic, which is leading to a rethink of the seasonal event and reinventing the whole industry. In addition to the 100 percent digital format, this Fashion Week — usually dedicated to men’s collections — will mix genres, an innovation … <\/p>\n