Lockdown bringing the style
2021 has begun. Another year past. Coronavirus will not be here forever but let’s face it, I couldn’t have made a blog without at least once bringing up the dreaded ‘C’ word. History will always remember. Whether its whispered through stories, spread through pages, or shown through videos and clips. It’s one reason why I fell in love with journalism so much. The ability to be able to communicate any form of news or information across every sea, country, and home is something that I still can’t quite get to grips with. Silly right? But in the space of almost a year, since the March 2020 lockdown, everything has changed. It’s as if someone has pressed fast forward 10 years at a time. Suddenly in the space of less than 365 days, the world as we know it has changed. And so too has fashion journalism.
With a world locked away, shut in on our sofas, the fashion industry changed as we know it. Retail stores were made to shut and fashion shows cancelled. Not to mention that working from home now meant a huge change in style. With many strict laws still in play, a good deal of working men and women have handed over their heels and brief cases for slippers and cups of tea. After all, we are British.
So where does that leave fashion journalists?
I mentioned in my previous blog yesterday that many influencers have taken away the population of the glamour audience and created content online for all to follow. But it’s not just the competitors of the fashion industry to worry over anymore. Do you remember what it was like a year since now? When the headlines were of Kylie Jenner’s newest outfit change, or Love Island’s Molly-Mae’s fresh brand deals. People would tune in week after week to find out the latest trends and biggest styles. And yet, now it seems almost every day you awake to find yourself scrolling through BBC News desperate to find any new information on the virus, or developments on the vaccine. Not to mention the constant lockdowns of comfy lounge wear and chilled tracksuits. Fashion journalism is losing its market through the crisis. People are no longer interested in what once seemed popular before. There is a greater need for knowledge and broadcasted news articles.
BUT, Is there a positive light to come from all of this?
The impact of the recent pandemic forced many to work from their homes. Whether it be an at home office, sofa and desk, or simply the kitchen table. Journalists were too on this list. But this brought about a much more positive note.
Many media professionals found advantages to this, BBC states that there is evidence suggesting this could last longer:
“Many are determined to keep it this way, at least for a few days a week”
They go on to say that this could have an impact on the organisations and newsrooms as the change in physicality could reduce the cost of running each business and cut down on that office rent.
Sarah Ward-Lilley also states that:
‘It’s been good for diversity, too. With people not coming into our studios, we can get guests from further afield. If it’s the right person, it doesn’t matter where they are.’
Making access easy and plenty more options to choose from. Fashion journalists will now have less hassle in booking those vital meetings to Paris or Milan, and move to a more understandable digital connection. Though this was once popular before it has most definitely sped up the process. Making it more acceptable to request those video calls, when it is near impossible to fly across. Once again proving that for many journalists this could prove to have one massive, positive outcome from the pandemic. Something lighter to see from the dark, don’t you agree?
Thank you for reading! Please remember to check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages! Stay safe out there, more posts to come soon for a light read during lockdown.
