In the wake of the novel coronavirus, while everything seems to have ground to a firm halt, the world is trying to adapt and change swiftly as possible. In the music sphere, artists are putting out isolation-crafted albums and fan-made music videos (we see you Charli XCX); but there has been uncertainty in the fashion industry while showgoers wait to see what the ongoing lockdown means for them.

Following the cancellations of the Fashion Week Men’s SS21 shows in June, the plans surrounding the upcoming London Fashion Week shows have now been announced by the British Fashion Council.

Beginning on June 12, menswear and womenswear shows are to be merged into one gender-neutral digital platform, and will be available to the wider general public.

“It is essential to look at the future and the opportunity to change, collaborate and innovate,” explained Caroline Rush, the BFC’s Chief Executive. “The current pandemic is leading us all to reflect more poignantly on the society we live in and how we want to live our lives and build businesses when we get through this. By creating a cultural fashion week platform, we are adapting digital innovation to best fit our needs today and something to build on as a global showcase for the future. Designers will be able to share their stories, and for those that have them, their collections, with a wider global community.”

Although details are yet to be confirmed, the BFC have iterated that the new digitally-interactive line-up will consist of designer interviews, diaries, podcasts, webinars, and online showrooms, not to mention streamable presentations by British menswear and womenswear designers.

Watch this space…