Angela Quaintrell on The Future of Fashion
London, United Kingdom
I have been in this business since I was a child as both my parents were also a part of it. It is an industry which works on a perpetual motion of change, newness, inspiration and fresh thinking. Not since 1939 has the world of fashion nearly ground to a halt, orders are cancelled for big brands and emerging designers.
“We need to give the buyer and end consumer A REASON TO BUY”
Going forward I think the next month is going to be a period for reflection on how we move our businesses into the new state of normal. What is the most efficient way to run our businesses? What do people want? How much will they spend and what it is they want to buy?
I believe labels will produce smaller collections in drops for the next couple of seasons. The shift to timeless restrained pieces will ultimately give us exuberance, uniqueness and excess.
"Now is the moment for creative thinkers to thrive"
It is however not all gloom. There is life after this. The impact of fashion on the environment and the amount of carbon it produces that pollutes the sky and waterways will drop sharply giving us bluer skies, cleaner lakes, rivers and seas. We need products that are made with love and those that treat the earth with respect and those that are respectful of our heritage.
I have gone through recessions and survived by battening down the hatches. Brands need to think outside the box, be able to give the best customer service - personal and efficient, always with a smile. Now is the moment for creative thinkers to thrive.
By Angela Quaintrell, May 2020
Check out our recent interview with Shivangi Sahni and Rose Danford-Phillips to learn more about the talented designers from The New Edit's Future of Fashion series.
