Many thought digital fashion weeks would be a temporary solution, lasting only until 2021. Models and fashion enthusiasts expected to sit shoulder-to-shoulder around the catwalk, run live streams on Instagram, and interact closely with others backstage. But the reality has been different: fashion weeks continue to operate digitally or with only a limited audience.
The ongoing impact of the pandemic has meant that models must maintain distance even during digital shows. Backstage, masks are mandatory, and every model and crew member undergoes COVID-19 testing before arriving. Despite these precautions, on the catwalk itself, modeling continues to radiate hope and creativity. Stylists and designers have embraced optimism, with most collections showing little overt sign of the pandemic, aside from a few selective face mask designs.
Rick Owens is a notable exception. Reacting to the realities of the lockdown, he relocated his views from Paris to Venice and has presented three collections there. On the Lido Island catwalk, his autumn and winter 2021 collection prominently featured face masks integrated into the styling. Speaking to Vogue, Owens reflected: “I do not understand. Why was I the only designer who showed face masks? Or among the very few? Do we pretend to be nothing? That the conditions we live under now are no longer valid?”
The response of the fashion world has been mixed. Some brands sought commercial opportunities, producing face masks for profit, while others adapted their factories to create infection-control equipment. Meanwhile, model agencies and designers continue to focus on the artistry of modeling, finding ways for models to safely showcase garments while maintaining the excitement of a live show—even when virtually.
According to Vogue writer Anders Christian Madsen, the fashion world is now divided: some embrace escapism, some are pragmatists, and others fall somewhere in between. Owens comments on his approach: “I like to take everything into account. We can celebrate certain things, but we must also be realistic. I can certainly be quite cynical of myself, but after all, I'm definitely an optimist. And maybe a little fatalist.”
As fashion evolves in this era of digital modeling and safety-conscious events, model agencies, designers, and models alike are discovering that creativity and realism can coexist. The role of the model has expanded—not just to display fashion but to embody resilience, adaptability, and hope for an industry learning to navigate unprecedented times.
