support emerging designers

The year 2020, the landmark year that impacted every aspect of every individual’s life globally, also spotlights the Fashion Industry’s shortcomings. The global pandemic, which affected the industry the hardest, also inspired the creative revolution in Fashion.

While every individual, brand, business and event industry approached different creative methods as a whole, they all paved the way for a future-forward. And right here in Toronto, our very own Startup Fashion Week reinvented to continue what they do best–give platform, exposure, and industry knowledge to the startup brands.

“The pandemic has forced people to be creative about business, and the event industry is no different. It’s important for me as the executive producer of Startup Fashion Week to always predict new ways to engage the industry and offer fashion business support. Of the only two Fashion weeks in Canada that made efforts to reinvent the idea of what a fashion week could look like during the pandemic, Startup Fashion Week was one of them. A very different approach that saw a mix of online events and a creative outdoor circuit-style photoshoot involving eight photographers and eight brands, we are happy about the success.
It will take a very long time for Toronto to be in a place where fashion events are plentiful. Sponsorship will be difficult for a long time.
First, we need to accept that things are different. We have to be innovative and adapt. Designers will have to look at consumer trends, marketing strategies and manufacturing logistics to determine how to move forward with their business. Fashion weeks will have to offer new ways to create events that benefit the designer and still engage media and consumers.” Executive producer, Startup Fashion Week, Jodi Goodfellow.

When we need each other’s support more than ever before, FORWARD is proud to have partnered with SFW 2020 to offer further support to the startup brands to help bridge the gap between emerging designers and the fashion world.

In this “Support Emerging Designers” series, we shine a spotlight on their progressive fashion design interpretation.

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