The Outside View: Navigating 2020’s Reality With Optimism

We are all growing fatigued from discussing the impacts of COVID-19, climate change, and politics on fashion. These are, after all, the hot topics crippling the success of major fashion brands. But instead of dwelling on the weight of this truth, we must accept the challenges we face and keep moving forward. It’s fair to say that we are grieving the loss of “normalcy.” As we move beyond grief to acceptance of our new normal, let’s lay it all out on the table and take stock.  What do you accept as our new normal? I see hope, opportunity and a renewed urgency to cure an industry in need of radical innovation.   Pandemic Positivity  Back-to-school shopping has seen a fresh focus on sustainability, comfort and direct-to-consumer shopping habits. Working and learning from home has pushed ath-leisure to take new shapes, with an uptick in organic and preferred fibers, whose breathability and antimicrobial performance outwit their synthetic competition. Colorful tie-dye trends and powerful political messaging add beauty and interest to video conferences and online classrooms. Let’s not forget masks. Organic fabrications — especially for kids — dominate back-to-school sales. Protecting ourselves is a new normal in consumer behavior, as we tiptoe into new school years, deserted

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