A Virtual Journey into The Impact of COVID-19 on Fashion and Design

Since the coronavirus outbreak began at the end of 2019, its impact has been felt across the global apparel and textile sector. While the negative consequences are everywhere, with cities going into lockdown, high streets shutting their doors and the global economy taking a nosedive, some see opportunity. Proponents of slow fashion are heralding the end of the high production, fast fashion model in favour of fewer, smaller collections from more sustainable supply chains. Designers are celebrating the opportunity for pause, reflection and renewed creativity. Product developers are finding the change in social behaviours as an opportunity for new products, such as the facemask. In some sectors, such as the cotton industry, we are even seeing greater unity for fair and equitable trade practices across global supply chains. 

Hear the views of top professionals and designers in the industry.

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Charlotte Smith

Charlotte is a “fashion anthropologist” and custodian of The Charlotte Smith Fashion Collection, one of the largest and most comprehensive international private fashion collections in the world. The collection includes more than 9,000 dresses and accessories and showcases 300 years of fashion history. Charlotte is also author of two best selling books that tell the stories of the women who wore her Collection; Dreaming of Dior and Dreaming of Chanel.

Sylvia Calvo 

Sylvia is the Founder and CEO of Sylvia Calvo BCN, an eco-friendly and ethical fashion brand created and located in Barcelona. Working mainly with originally used coffee bags, the brand applies Circular Economy principles to transform them into garments. Together with five colleagues, Sylvia also co-funded the non-profit Association "Moda Sostenible Barcelona" (MSBCN), the first association of this kind, in order to promote the benefits of sustainable fashion, its creation, production, and  sale, and to bring it closer to consumers.

Prudence Millinery

Prudence is a leading couture milliner in London. Today her hats are made in the classical manner using only traditional millinery techniques. Prudence designed her first collection for spring 1991 under her own label, Prudence Millinery, and has since worked with Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Julien MacDonald, Biba and many others. Prudence currently designs and makes the hats for the Couture Collections for James Lock & Co., the world's oldest hat shop located in Mayfair, London. 

Patrick McDowell

Patrick has been turning heads since graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2018; from gracing the cover of the September Issue of Elle UK to being featured in publications including Multiple Vogue’s, Dazed and many more, to becoming a favourite of singers Rita Ora and M.I.A on and off stage. But it’s sustainability that is at the core of Patrick’s practice, as he strives to reinvent luxury through a sustainable mindset. Anna Wintour and Vogue USA nominated Patrick for the Stella McCartney Today for Tomorrow Award in late 2019.

Batten and Kamp

Batten and Kamp is an art and design practice, creating unique objects and interiors. After 10 years of parallel creative careers, interior architect Alexandra Batten and designer/artist Daniel Kamp formalised their collaboration as an interdisciplinary studio, anchored to a shared belief in raw beauty.