How Coronavirus Influenced the Fashion Calendar?

Fashion weeks and shows cancellations - how a coronavirus outbreak changed the 2020 fashion calendar (at least in the first half of the year).

In Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing and Seoul Fall-Winter 2020 Fashion Weeks were canceled

There will be no Tokyo Fashion Week this year. It was supposed to run from the 16th to 21st of March. The organizers of the event reported the cancellation, noting that such a decision was associated with the coronavirus epidemic situation. According to experts, this will affect the economy of the fashion market in Japan - local brands will have less chance of attracting foreign buyers. However, there are positive points. One of them is an occasion to think about new digital ways of presenting collections.

Earlier, Fashion Weeks were canceled in Shanghai, Beijing and Seoul. The cause was also the epidemic of a new virus. It was decided to hold a fashion week in Shanghai online.

The organizers of Shanghai Fashion Week will create an online platform with the Chinese retailer Tmall. From 24th to 30th of March, you will be able see and immediately buy things from the collections of Chinese designers Fall-Winter 2020 collections. The presentation schedule will appear in mid-March, as applications for participation in the interactive fashion week have just begun. “We hope this new form will allow designers to try different ways to display their design and different channels to market and sell,” said Lu Xiaolei, vice secretary of Shanghai Fashion Week Committee. According to her, if the online format is successful, similar broadcasts will be held in the next seasons.

Prada postponed the resort collection show in Japan

Prada postponed the show of the resort collection in Japan, scheduled for May 21st. This decision was made due to the situation with the spread of coronavirus in that region. “We decided to cancel the show as a precaution, as well as an act of responsibility and respect for all people who plan to attend our show. Prada also expresses its sincere condolences to all people affected by this situation. ” - was commented on the cancellation of the show at the company. There is currently no additional information on the new venue and date of the show.

Chanel will not make Métiers d’Art show in Beijing

Chanel FW20/21

Chanel postponed Métiers d’Art workshops in Beijing due to a coronavirus epidemic, WWD reports. The collection, which Chanel wanted to show for the second time (it was first presented on December 4 in Paris), was scheduled for May. “[We] are closely monitoring the situation. The health and well-being of the team and customers comes first for us.” - the fashion house’s official statement said.

Gucci canceled cruise show in San Francisco

Gucci FW20/21

Gucci decided not to display the 2021 cruise collection. The show was supposed to be held May 18 in San Francisco, the city that brand's creative director Alessandro Michele chose as the historical center of liberal activism and the epicenter of various subcultures. The show is not completely canceled - only the time and place will change, which will be reported later by representatives of the Italian brand.

Ralph Lauren refused to hold a show in New York scheduled for April.

Swiss watch salons Watches & Wonders and Baselworld canceled their presentations.

Geneva watch salon Watches & Wonders canceled the program In The City. The presentation was to be held in Geneva in the framework of the International Salon of High Watchmaking from April 25 to 29. Representatives of the International Watchmaking Salon said they had already begun work on organizing the 2021 program.

Cosmoprof will not be held in Bologna, and the annual Salone del Mobile furniture fair in Milan.