Editor’s Note: State of the Union
NEW YORK, United States - It has a been a long time and in this time, myriad challenges have left even the strongest of us undeniably raw, emotionally exhausted, and intellectually untethered. What we understood to be ‘true’ has shifted on its head and all systems have been called into question with ranging effects for all of society’s participants.
Fashion is still important - as a critical source of job security in retail, management, wholesale, supply chain, operations, and digital across niche brands, established stalwarts, and online meccas as well as a sector defined by its inspiration and innovation. New business models have emerged and old methods swiftly castigated as consumers demand transparency, consistency, and value-based solutions that consider not only the what (products sold), but the who (front-line workers, corporate leadership, and broader team members). Diversity, equity, and inclusion in this year will take on far greater meaning than decades prior; the call for a seat at the table for the most marginalized will be a moral necessity required to right the wrongs of indifference, ignorance, and injustice. How brands act in this time will have far-reaching consequences for the longevity and lasting legacy of the corporate identity. Gone are the days of empty promises for Gen Z - fast gaining cultural control - who simply expect a far more equitable world to be reflected in the brands they champion.
In the midst of great trials will come new opportunities and new ways of thinking. Are we open to the possibilities? Are we willing to abandon the familiar? How can we chart a new path forward? The creatives putting forth a new vision are unstoppable, but how will the systems need to bend to their will to ensure a more inclusive future?
One of the main objectives with this platform is to support a space for questions, to consider and re-consider the possibilities known and unknown, to align creative and economic output often neglected, and to center the work of those who strive daily in this sector - tirelessly, against all odds. All is not lost. There is a new day upon us - we will do our part as countless others do the same.
Photo courtesy of FLRS Global / @flrsglobal.