Japan, Paris, Milan, Moscow: Digital Fashion Weeks For Spring 2021 Collections
By Claudia Langella
The Spring 2021 fashion calendar has gone virtual like the rest of us. With strict social distancing guidelines across the globe, it is impossible to envision people crowding around some of the world’s biggest runways in order to get a glimpse at new collections. Paris Haute Couture Week went virtual in July and the traditional showcasing of Spring collections in the fall is gearing up for an interesting season.
Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, also known as FHCM, presented men’s Spring 2021 collections digitally, which allowed designers to still share their work through a creative lens. There were concept films presented by creative directors and talks hosted by influential French fashion forces, like Camille Charrière and LOEWE Creative Director Jonathan Anderson. Some events happened over Instagram Live with social media powerhouse Eva Chen, allowing audiences to react in real time. Milan Fashion Week went digital from July 14-17, and gave designers one to fifteen minutes of screen time to convey their message to fashion fans around the world.
So what’s up next? Lots of change, that’s for sure!
Brands like Gucci and Saint Laurent are no strangers to breaking away from the traditional fashion calendar—Alessandro Michele has been known to present in during what’s considered “off season”—so it’s no surprise that the industry adapted so well to these changes. Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss is planning for a drive-thru fashion show where he will present his film American, Also in New York City. He told Vogue that “it’s always been our mission to show the amount of thinking and laboring that goes behind putting together a collection,” so they’re up for the challenge.
In Denmark and Stockholm, the city is preparing for guests of the fashion industry, but with social distancing guidelines in place of course!
“We’re fortunate that the Danish society is opening up much more quickly than expected, making it possible for us to hold Copenhagen Fashion Week very close to the originally scheduled dates,” Cecilie Thorsmark, head of Copenhagen Fashion Week, said in a press release. But, every event will adapt to regulations put in place by the city. Events in Stockholm consist of pre-recorded presentations and talks hosted by Vogue editors.
Paris Fashion Week plans on returning to the city in person once September rolls around. It’s been said that designers will opt for bigger event spaces and outdoor catwalks, since the members of the fabled front row will have to keep six feet between one another.
Who knows what the world will look like during Fashion Month. We’re excited to see some new collections, but will be viewing from the comfort of our own homes.
cover image via StyleCaster