It has been a defining year to be a young person in the United States, and a fascinating one to be a fan of fashion. When the whole world stopped, industries across the board were forced to grapple with their propensity for flexibility and innovation. Art was a safe haven for a lot of us in 2020, with music and television giving us a window into a realm where challenges seemed simple when compared to the panic and major questions weighing heavy on us each day. In fashion, while consumerism took a dive, an important opportunity emerged to bring some of the industry’s persistent whispers to full conversations. I choose to see this as a recalibration, a clear chance to consider the priorities that did and should define fashion at the start of a new decade.
When asked to describe the state of the fashion industry in 2021, executives came back to three words: uncertain, challenging and disruptive. Though the journey is shaping up to be untraditional, these three words represent change. Generation Z has already proven that they will not stand for many of the elitist, exclusionary practices that were characteristic of fashion in the early 21st century, demanding expanded and authentic commitment to sustainability, diversity and overall integrity. While those expectations have been growing, the COVID-19 pandemic presented a set of problems that no one could have prepared for and in turn served as a catalyst for many necessary shifts that the industry likely should have welcomed years ago. For someone who wants to build a career in fashion, I don’t think there has been a more exciting or pivotal time to participate in what will hopefully prove to be the start of a new era.
In this 2020s Vision series, I plan to look at some of the major forces set to define the next decade of fashion, as well as the people and brands emerging as pioneers. While in many ways it feels like we’re in the eye of the storm, join me in exploring essential trends and the questions that have yet to be answered when we think about the fashion industry.
When asked to describe the state of the fashion industry in 2021, executives came back to three words: uncertain, challenging and disruptive. Though the journey is shaping up to be untraditional, these three words represent change. Generation Z has already proven that they will not stand for many of the elitist, exclusionary practices that were characteristic of fashion in the early 21st century, demanding expanded and authentic commitment to sustainability, diversity and overall integrity. While those expectations have been growing, the COVID-19 pandemic presented a set of problems that no one could have prepared for and in turn served as a catalyst for many necessary shifts that the industry likely should have welcomed years ago. For someone who wants to build a career in fashion, I don’t think there has been a more exciting or pivotal time to participate in what will hopefully prove to be the start of a new era.
In this 2020s Vision series, I plan to look at some of the major forces set to define the next decade of fashion, as well as the people and brands emerging as pioneers. While in many ways it feels like we’re in the eye of the storm, join me in exploring essential trends and the questions that have yet to be answered when we think about the fashion industry.