Last year when supermodel Naomi Campbell shared her tips for travelling, which included sanitizing her entire plane seat, most people were slightly alarmed with the drastic levels she went to in order to ensure her safety. Fast forward to today and those same people seem to be constantly backpedalling, observing and zeroing in on the slightest clue that can match any coronavirus-like symptom. Now many are hailing Campbell’s behaviour the ideal approach to Coronavirus, well at least for those with enough disposable income.
Three months into 2020, I would have never imagined a virus having the capability to lock down an entire country. Coronavirus has spread like wildfire so simply and created so much hysteria, sending most people into panic mode.
The World Health Organisation has said to limit large gatherings and to practice frequent handwashing. With such guidelines, I am happy I cycle everywhere, and that my job provides me with the possibility to work from home. However, like many others, I still remain at risk, getting groceries is still necessary and for my own sanity I need to step outside to get a little fresh air and to see movement in my environment.
Though my husband and I are trying to isolate ourselves as much possible and to continue to work without major interruptions, I reflect on the very few industries that can say this, much less having it not affect the quality of work. With a fashion hub like Milan being on lockdown, it makes you wonder if fashion is even necessary. The excess it attracts seems too wasteful. While this may have always been a lingering thought of mine, I have now started to question the obscene number of photoshoots, shows, fabric sourcing and even logistics. Factoring the virus into all of that, it feels like somewhere along the line we have lost our way. The physical aspect of making, producing and marketing fashion never comes under scrutiny all at once. And considering that most of us treat clothing like disposables, if made me wonder if all the flights for models, shows, cramped garment factories are even worth it. Our vanity and desire to look and feel good are at a strange intersection where I question who is this all for, ourselves, or the public.
Coronavirus is horrible but if anything it has forced us to slow down and in slowing down made me reflect on how much of an endless race we seem to be running, how capitalism exhausts us and makes us feel like there is always a new level. There is truly no need for all the excess. As we continue to be cautious of our health let us remember that we are surviving without all of the necessary newness of the industry.
