Designer PPE
A few key trends coming out of the global streetstyle scene have a lot to do with covid-19. Accessories like gloves and masks are a “see now, buy now” like never before. Taking on the fashion front and beyond, you may even say they are going viral.
From Milan to Paris, stars attending international fashion weeks are taking their style, and their health, seriously. Whether in crowded planes or parties, models and influencers like Bella Hadid and Aleali May are showing off their gear. But while much of mainstream society are finding empty shelves for these much sought after items, some fashionistas clearly coordinated their protective ensembles with top designers ahead of time. Their customized, cautious gear is the epitome of next-level at a time like this. Clearly, style doesn’t have to be sacrificed for safety.
Fast fashion brands that tout their speedy design and manufacturing capabilities will certainly get in on the trend of masks and gloves. Watch out for printed and patterned gear, embellishments and colors to match every ensemble.
See how style stars are staying haute and healthy below.
@akimoto_kozue
@akimoto_kozue
@alealimay
@bellahadid
Even designers are showing off luxury masks in their collections. Futurist fashion designer Marine Serre has offered this accessory in the past as an anti-pollution solution (priced at $595), but her newest designs for Fall 2020 are more popular than ever given their unintended, yet well-timed release. Brands like Palm Angeles, Walter Van Beirendonck, Gucci and Takahiro Miyashita foreshadowed the rage for face masks and baclavas back in their 2017 and 2018 seasons.
@marineserre Fall 2020
Palm Angels Fall 2017
Palm Angels Fall 2017
Takahiro Miyashita Fall 2018
Gucci Fall 2018
Recently, designer Sun Dayong came up with the creative concept of a wearable shield that uses UV light to sterilize the wearer.
Another interesting and innovative concept is the face recognition masks by Danielle Baskin. The wearer’s lower face is custom printed on a mask so that facial recognition software, on tech such as iPhones, is compatible. This is, however, just a clever concept for the time being.
Face recognition print
Fast-fashion brands like Zara ought to put their iconic two-week design, manufacturing and distribution process to good use by supplying protective gear to bolster the global shortage.
In terms of consumer behavior, The Food Industry Association just reported that several shifts that may occur:
Avoidance of dining out along with shifting to more meals at home, especially where schools might be closed.
Consolidation of trips to the store by purchasing much larger quantities of products in fewer visits.
Preference toward non-perishable and prepackaged goods.
Spike in demand for certain HBC/anti-bacterial products.
Demand for masks and gloves that can be purchased for personal use.
Demand to see food handlers wearing masks and gloves.
Demand to see anti-bacterial wipes in key store locations.
Strong interest in online or phone ordering for customer pickup or delivery.
Strong interest in self-checkout, avoiding cashiers.
Avoidance of non-essential retail stores.
An early attempt to stockpile products.
Strong desire to get accurate information.
Avoidance of products made outside the United States if that is where the jump to human- transmissible form of the influenza is believed to have occurred.'
Possible demand for expanded country-of-origin information and/or “USA Only” sections throughout the store.