Runway Resilience
Navigating Fashion Weeks in the COVID-19 Era:
An Exploration of Digital Transformations, Visual Shifts, and Language Evolution in High-Style Narratives
Tasks:
Methods:
Research Questions:
Outcomes:
Investigated the overall impact of digitalization of NYC fashion shows
Analysed visual and conceptual changes in fashion creation
Examined shifts in the presentation of fashion shows
Investigated alteration in the approach to fashion show reviews and the language within during the COVID-19 crisis
Utilized text analysis of Vogue Runway fashion show reviews, comparing pre-pandemic physical shows to hybrid or exclusively digital experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis covered top designer shows in Paris Fashion Weeks in Sept 2019, Mar 2020, and Sept 2020, using tools such as LancsBox, Voyant Tools, and Python Sentiment Analysis.
How did the COVID-19 crisis alter fashion creation?
Explored visual and conceptual changes, identifying narrative arcs around climate crisis, pandemic, futurism, sci-fi, and gender equality.
How did the COVID-19 crisis change how a fashion show is presented?
Examined the impact on the physicality and digitization of fashion shows, analyzing keywords related to physical aspects and digital terms.
How did the COVID-19 crisis change the language and manner fashion reviews are approached and written?
Investigated changes in sentiment, language, and information-gathering methods in fashion reviews during the pandemic.
Presented findings in a paper format with visuals such as graphs, tables, and timelines. Identified narrative arcs, including the climate crisis, pandemic, futurism, sci-fi, and gender equality. Analyzed the pandemic's impact on physical and digital aspects of fashion shows, along with shifts in language and approaches in fashion reviews.
Exploration of ethical considerations of live and hybrid shows during the pandemic, additional textual analysis of headlines, and considerations for public health perspectives should be considered further. These opportunities contributed to a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics of the fashion industry during a period of significant global disruption.