As we may know, the worldwide pandemic has affected people all over the nation. The fashion industry was greatly impacted as well with many retailers having to close their stores, big fashion events being postponed, and so much more.
Although there was a spike in online sales and a demand for "comfortable, at home clothes", it wasn’t enough to make up for the overall drop in sales and hit on the global economy. Fox News stated, "Many major brands like J Crew, Brooks Brothers, and JCPenny had to file for bankruptcy."
To add on, Bloomberg reported that about 1,089 garment factories in Bangladesh have had orders cancelled worth roughly $1.5 billion due to the coronavirus outbreak. Many factories in Bangladesh have also been shut down indefinitely and some workers have recieved from less to a month's worth to no amount of salary. Elle states, "Due to store closures and sale downturns, Forbes claims western fashion brands have cancelled over $2.8 billion in orders from Bangladeshi suppliers, potentially sparking a humanitarian crisis."
Similarily, The Garment Worker Center describes how garment makers in Los Angeles are often not eligible for unemployment benefits. Fashion Revolution states, "IndustriALL reports that while many fashion brands are offering compensation packages for retail and office workers who face layoffs due to this crisis, they are failing to protect the workers in their supply chains who are also suffering from the loss of income."
Celebrity designer, RC Caylan, was able to find a way to make the best out of the situation. Due to fashion shows being cancelled, he made a movie for his fashion show which was then presented worlwide through Fashion Week in Dubai.
Several fashion houses have donated money to different organizations throughout the pandemic.
For example, the Chairman and President of the Tiffany & Co. Foundation, Anisa Kamadoli Costa, announced the company would be allocating $750,000 to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organisation, powered by the UN Foundation and $250,000 to The New York Community Trust’s NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund.
Prada's co-CEOs and chairman have also donated intensive care and resuscitation units to three hospitals in Milan, including Vittore Buzzi, Sacco and San Raffaele.
Along with that, Dolce & Gabbana have donated to the Humanitas University for a research project hoping to help against the fight against coronavirus.
Also, LVMH initially donated $2.2 million dollars to The Red Cross China and manufactured large quantities of hydroalcoholic gel and pledged 40 million medical masks. To read about the other luxury brands who have made donations during this time, check out https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/g32015646/coronavirus-fashion-brands/
It is very evident that the pandemic has taken a huge toll on the fashion industry which is another reason for us to shop locally and sustainable. We should also do as much as we can to support the factory workers struggling during this pandemic whether that is donating a small amount of money, informing others about the hardships they are facing currently, and so much more!
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