As the coronavirus pandemic continues to take over the world, the Summer fashion weeks in Paris, Milan and London have either been cancelled or postponed. This comes as a direct result of the strict quarantine measures put in place due to COVID-19, with no guaranteed end date in sight.
It was announced by the Board of Directors of the Fédération de la haute couture et de la Mode on Friday 27th March, that Paris Men’s Fashion Week (June 23 to June 28), and Haute Couture Week (July 5 to July 9), will no longer be going ahead. This was a strong decision made to ensure the health and safety of the industry – with the Federation actively working on possible alternatives for the time being.
The Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana also announced on Friday 27th March, that Milan Men’s Fashion Week (June 19 – June 23) will be postponed and will now be taking place during Milan Women’s Fashion Week in September. The statement read “This decision was dictated by the difficult situation being caused by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are however working on new digital formats and new ways of encounter, in order to create a new storytelling on the days originally scheduled for the Milan Men’s Fashion Week.”
The British Fashion Council have also joined in cancelling London Men’s Fashion Week along with the CFDA postponing the New York Men’s shows in June. The CFDA also adding they have decided to cancel NYFW Resort 2021 presentations and urging designers to “NOT to show their Resort Spring 2021 collections. The CFDA and the Fashion Calendar will not be publishing a Resort Schedule.”
These postpones and cancelations join the ever-extending list of fashion event closures including global Cruise shows, MBFWA 2020 and the Met Gala. Brands will now have to look at new creative ways in the digital sphere to present collections and stories. These changes may only be temporary for the industry, or perhaps permanent. But with COVID-19 evolving rapidly every day by the hour, we may have to prepare and update ourselves for the long haul. Only time will tell.
