The Coronavirus pandemic has caused widespread uncertainty, not only to global health and economy, but also in the retail sector and fashion industry. However as the fashion industry continues to digitalize, the good news is that, both in an online and offline capacity, the highly anticipated 2021 Fashion Weeks are set to go ahead! The British Fashion Council, Florence’s Pitti Uomo trade fair, and Paris’s Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode have all made positive announcements about the way they will be showcasing designer’s collections next year. And in exciting news for fashion fans, the show must go on!
A New Direction for London From 19 to 23 February, London will hold a digital and physical fashion week, Covid-19 restrictions permitting, open to all designers. This will be shift for menswear designers, who traditionally show in London in January: it is the first city on the annual menswear circuit. This change has been welcomed, as it gives menswear designers more time after the holiday season to work on their collections.
Inevitable Delays
The Pitti Uomo Trade Fair has also pushed back its previously scheduled dates due to both Covid uncertainties and to align with the release of the latest womenswear collections too. The fair will now be held in Florence from 21 to 23 February, rather than beginning on 12 January as was originally planned.
No Change in Milan and Paris
Finally, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks are both holding their nerve and hoping for the best, with no scheduled changes to their dates planned – yet. Milan is scheduled for 15 to 19 January, while Paris’s official dates are 19 to 24 January. Couture fashion week will follow from 25 to 28 January. Strict health and safety restrictions will be adhered to for both events.
And for those of us that aren’t able to travel, more designers will be streaming their runway shows digitally than ever before, meaning that you can still immerse yourself in their newest collections from the comfort of your own sofa!
