CFDA and BFC Call for Designers to "Slow Down" Amidst Pandemic
“We are united in our steadfast belief that the fashion system must change.”
The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and British Fashion Council (BFC) have issued a joint statement on the lasting impact of the coronavirus pandemic on designers, retailers and the industry at large.
The two non-profit trade associations call for greater mindfulness and intention when it comes to producing and showing collections. “We encourage our brands, designers and retailers, who are used to fashion’s fast, unforgiving pace, to slow down,” the duo write. “For a long time, there have been too many deliveries and too much merchandise generated. With existing inventory stacking up, designers and retailers must also look at the collections cycle and be very strategic about their products and how and when they intend to sell them.”
To cut back, both organizations recommend designers to focus on “no more than two main collections a year.” A slower pace will allow creatives to focus on quality over quantity, as well as reduce stress on designers and their teams. Brands are also encouraged to focus on sustainability through the “creation of less product, with higher levels of creativity and quality” in order to increase the shelf life of garments and accessories.
Lastly, the CFDA and BFC address the return to in-person events, whenever that may be. Once it’s safe to hold non-virtual gatherings, the two organizations ask that brands “attempt to show during the regular fashion calendar and in one of the global fashion capitals in order to avoid the strain on buyers and journalists traveling constantly.” They also cite the high carbon footprint that results from frequent travel.
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