Expert Insights: Opportunities to expect in the Fashion Industry post Covid-19 with Fiona Lambert

After over three decades in the fashion industry, I have observed and been part of many dramatic changes; the advent of supermarket fashion, the start of the, at the time, unthinkable on-line shopping, the growth of social media amongst many. As we find ourselves in this unprecedented situation, the only certain thing is that there will be opportunities as the industry rapidly adapts. Here are some of my thoughts:

FLEXIBLE WORKING: The trend towards flexible working has been slowly growing and with it the technology that backs it up. This enforced requirement to work from home has certainly accelerated that and with it there will be changes to ways of working in the future. For employers, it means the pool of talent you can recruit is not restricted by location, the office space required and therefore costs will be less. For employees that have managed commuting that saps hours from the day or have struggled to juggle childcare, this opens up new opportunities.

A CHANGE IN PRODUCT CATEGORIES: This situation will change life significantly. As people have discovered new ways of working, started new activities, adapted their lives, how we dress and hence the fashion landscape will change significantly too. As some categories decline others will grow, athleisure, the conference call top, sportswear. The industry will need to change but it will.

RETURN TO LOCAL: As we have found ourselves restricted to a smaller world, we have rediscovered local. The decline of the high street will not be helped by this, but the sense of community and supporting local businesses will have seen the consumer re-look at independents, boutiques. The personal touch after isolation will be treasured.

The other return to local will be a resurgence in UK manufacturing. The need to get PPE made rapidly has seen a spotlight shining on the UK garment manufacturing industry and I’m doing what I can to help this. As a young buyer, 35% of my product came from the UK and I learnt so much from regularly visiting the factories. The skills, the flexibility, the resource that we have seen will have shown a new generation of buyers what can be done here in the UK.

A SURGE IN CREATIVITY: Our industry is made up of resourceful, creative and dynamic people who have a career built on changing trends. For those of you who know your fashion history, Dior designed his most iconic New Look range after the austerity of war. This pause is bringing out resourcefulness, ideas, designs that would not have happened otherwise.

I am confident that despite us finding ourselves in very difficult times (and I say this as someone looking for their next role due to the current crisis) there will be opportunity. I am already getting interesting approaches for exciting projects.

This is not going to be about survival of the fittest, it will be the survival of the most adaptable and the fashion industry is certainly that

Want to get in touch with Fiona? Find her on LinkedIn here