Supply chains are in tatters and manufacturing is pretty much non-existent. The heavily relied on linear and just-in-time fast fashion model is if not on the brink of death, at least at a significant standstill and there are serious questions on whether it will even be there to be restarted post-COVID.
Supply chains are in tatters & manufacturing is pretty much non-existent….The fast fashion model is on the brink of death
Brands are being named and shamed over cancelling, postponing and in some cases not making payment for orders. Primark has cancelled the most orders (USD$273mn), followed by C&A (USD$166mn) and then Inditex (USD$109mn), according to a recent report. Though it should be noted that some brands are producing masks and other products to help fight COVID-19.
The impact from these order disruptions, mass unemployment for garment workers across Asia, particularly in Bangladesh where cancelled orders have passed USD$ 3billion and more than 1 million (around 25%) of garment works have lost their jobs or been furloughed. China, the only bigger clothing exporter than Bangladesh is also reeling. Exports are down 20% and garment manufacturing fell 37% in January and February compared to the same period in 2019.
“The damage [from cancelled/ no orders] is fatal” - Liu Jianbo, General Manager of Yaqi Garments Co
The big question here then is, is this survivable or fatal? Word from the most impacted, is that it is fatal; “the damage is fatal”, says Liu Jianbo, General Manager of Yaqi Garments Co. located in China’s textile hub. The Chinese industry expected a business recovery in March and April but that has yet to come. With little or no orders, manufacturers face shuttering and soon, some as soon as two weeks. “Small companies with limited cash flow may stay afloat for less than half a month, and the largest ones can make it no longer than six months”, one shoe manufacturing executive said. So, it seems likely that the post-pandemic fashion industry in China and other countries with less a less established textile infrastructure, could look very different.
Then of course there are the closed stores but all that means is that consumers shop online instead, right? Yes, but there is plenty of issues there too. Brands are again facing criticism here for risking employees’ and those in the logistics sector health to fulfil orders. Amazon has had workers walkout due to the lack of protective gear. Is it really worth further risking lives in this time of a global pandemic? We say “further” as fashion already risks lives and the environment with its thirsty, dirty and wasteful ways (see just how so here and here).
These are incredibly tough and unprecedented times for everyone. There are no answers or easy solutions to the challenges fashion is facing now but the industry has for a long time now said that it wants to become green, sustainable and circular (we have written about this lots here, here and here). The biggest resistance to this change is its fundamental linear business model that is well-established and financially viable for shareholders.
But as we’ve shown above, this linear fast fashion model is in tatters now. And indeed, it does mean death for some. So far in April, two big fashion companies have filed for bankruptcy, True Religion Apparel Inc in the US and Debenhams in the UK. Both which had already been bailed out before but could not survive any longer in this pandemic period.
COVID-19 presents opportunity & is a catalyst for change
It may not be obvious, but this virus presents opportunity and is a catalyst for change for all sectors. And fashion, a ‘dinosaur’ compared to most sectors, must not fail to change. The best time to reinvent yourself is when you are already in pieces. We just need to make sure fashion puts itself together in a new – sustainable, green & circular – way. So, what will fashion look like during- and post-pandemic?
But as we’ve shown above, this linear fast fashion model is in tatters now. And indeed, it does mean death for some. So far in April, two big fashion companies have filed for bankruptcy, True Religion Apparel Inc in the US and Debenhams in the UK. Both which had already been bailed out before but could not survive any longer in this pandemic period.
COVID-19 presents opportunity & is a catalyst for change
It may not be obvious, but this virus presents opportunity and is a catalyst for change for all sectors. And fashion, a ‘dinosaur’ compared to most sectors, must not fail to change. The best time to reinvent yourself is when you are already in pieces. We just need to make sure fashion puts itself together in a new – sustainable, green & circular – way. So, what will fashion look like during- and post-pandemic?
Will we even need clothes in the future? Or will we be using avatars? And watching digital models walk down the runway?
Too farfetched? Well, we are already seeing signals. Fashionistas will have been gutted with the cancellation or indefinite postponements of notable Fashion Weeks and events, including the coveted Met Gala, due to the virus. A bright spot came from Shanghai Fashion Week that held it shows online, live streaming the full week. In other cases, Armani sent models down the runway to no live audience, instead livestreaming it. Louis Vuitton has since also livestreamed its Fall 2020 collection. It seems that fashion shows will also be part of this re-invention.
With this jumpstart for fashion tech, could we also see the proliferation of virtual shopping? Virtual fashion shows?
But if we go virtual it’s not just fashion that will be impacted, many other sectors will be too. What happens to shopping malls? To commercial property and the property sector? And what about cosmetics? If we are online, do we need as much make-up? And if using avatars or virtual models then we don’t need any cosmetics at all. Think of all the plastic waste that will be saved by not buying that lipstick or eyeliner. A virtual fashion future could be a greener one. And the impacts could be way beyond plastic. Fashion is one of the thirstiest, dirtiest and wasteful industries – just look at the stats the graphic below.
