Fashion in the Age of Coronavirus
20 MAY 2020
As painful as it is, stopping in our tracks has given us a chance to rethink the kind of society and economies that we want to rebuild when the virus allows us to return to our lives.
In these clips, hear from different designers and brands how the pandemic has affected their business and plans. Being small and sustainable has left many companies facing a unique set of challenges, but it has also enabled them to react and innovate rapidly in order to be of service, and to look at the coming months with hope.
What Impact will Covid-19 have on the Fashion Industry?
Dana Thomas outlines her hope for the future and the potential positive impact the coronavirus pandemic will have on the fashion industry.
Tamara Cincik proposes the impact she thinks Covid-19 will have on our society.
Our favourite tip:
Be kind to one another. Coronavirus has changed the world as we know it, but now is the time to join together and make an impact.
Dana Thomas explores the problems within the fashion industry.
Our favourite quote:
Volume. Volume is what gave birth to sweatshops. Volume is what made fast fashion so profitable. Volume is what is stuffing our closets. Volume is what is rotting in our landfills.
Tama Cincik examines the problem with fast fashion.
Our main conclusion:
The rise of social media has escalated the demand for fast fashion. The higher the demand, the more problematic the industry.
Bert van Son discusses how we can change the fashion industry.
Our favourite tip:
Fast fashion brands were the first to cancel their orders. The only thing we can do now is to offer consumers another option, and every euro spent is a vote for the future.
Dana Thomas explains the importance of holding brands accountable.
Our favourite tip:
You have more power than you think as a consumer, and we can change the way the world works!
Is the future of fashion online? Bert van Son and Dana Thomas discuss.
Our main conclusion:
In theory, we will be able to take our 3D digital shape and ‘try on’ fashion via our computers, therefore negating the need for returns.
Is there a future of freelancing in fashion? Tamara Cincik examines.
Our main takeaway:
Freelancers have not had the appropriate support during coronavirus, but it’s important to take this time to step-back, assess and be honest about the future.
Bert van Son shares the origin story of MUD Jeans.
Our favourite quote:
We use all jeans to make new jeans, and each pair of jeans is made up of around 40% consumer waste.
Connect with our panellists
Dana Thomas
Dana is a fashion and culture journalist based in Paris. She began her career writing for The Washington Post, and for fifteen years served as a cultural and fashion correspondent for Newsweek in Paris. Her latest book, Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes, explores the global impact of the fashion industry and the movements fighting to reform it.
Bert van Son
Bert is the CEO of MUD Jeans, which he founded in 2012 after working in the fashion industry for almost thirty years. Together with his team, Bert has transformed the company into a pioneer of the circular economy. Their outstanding commitment to this cause has been recognised with awards such as the Sustainability Leadership Award and the Peta Vegan Award.
Tamara Cincik
Tamara is the Founder and CEO of Fashion Roundtable, which combines events, policy, consultancy and advocacy work for the long-term strategic and sustainable growth of the fashion industry. She has over twenty years experience working in the fashion industry as well as in the UK Parliament. Tamara is also the secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Textiles and Fashion.
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