Fashion as a mirror of society - effects of the corona crisis on the fashion industry

[Translate to Englisch:] Das Bild zeigt die Masterthesis "U (SE) by 5302", die sich mit dem Thema Verpackung/Müll, Upcycling und Recycling – Ästhetik des Verbrauchten beschäftigt. Designerin: Adriane Lila Fecke Fotograf: Edouard Olszewski / Arteo Photography Model: Karen Reichelt

More than almost any other industry, the fashion industry is part of a complex global network that brings prosperity, peace, and cultural and economic exchange. However, the consequences of this development are also severe ecological and social problems. The positive thing is that we have been talking for years about consuming less and being more considerate of our environment. That we act and that we implement and realize the shaping of the future with its ideals more quickly.

We will consume less and travel. We will spend our monetary resources on other vital structures and as a result generate less private consumption in abundance. We will experiment more. The future of social developments will be determined by their creativity and creative abilities. Improvisation and creativity will become the highest good.

The younger generation has long realised that hoarding clothes or a car as a status symbol is not very desirable for them. They pursue ideals of life that treat people with more respect and dignity. They align their contents with the need for better handling and protection of the earth's natural resources. These people have the responsibility to protect life in its diversity. This is becoming elementary in fashion.

The recession in the wake of this crisis thus offers humanity the opportunity to redefine its values. Fashion is an expression of social developments. A seismograph that is able to set an early sign. These are often not recognized and seen. Fashion has long expressed individual protection and fragile survival. It has long questioned systems in avant-garde collections. It has long been shaping changes in social interaction and defines transparency in value chains.

The value of a fashion product is the sum of appreciation of all the services and efforts associated with the product. It is an expression of the appreciation of our own life and our society, because fashion is at the centre of society.

This gives us hope and courage to rethink, reorient and redesign these changes. As a result of this crisis, many fashion companies will disappear from the market. Very large structures will be confronted with very small structures. The middle is dissolving and the younger generation is now writing a new chapter in fashion history. They are ready to change, it is our responsibility to help them to build up in order to write a good chapter.