Fashion

The 18th edition of Dakar Fashion Week almost didn't happen. Due to coronavirus restrictions, the event's second catwalk show was cancelled outright, meaning organiser Adama Ndiaye had to think quickly. The result was a single magical day of sustainable and eco-responsible fashion in the baobab forest of Senegal's Bandia reserve. FRANCE 24 went to check it out.

The year 2020 will go down in history – although not necessarily for the best reasons! However, back in January, the pandemic wasn’t yet on everyone’s radar, and Paris Fashion Week went ahead as scheduled. People hugged, kissed, and didn’t think twice about hopping on a plane to attend the event. But when France went into lockdown in March, the world of fashion had to reinvent itself, finding new ways to create, consume and communicate.

Lebanese couture is revered around the world for its flamboyance and artistry, with collections destined for clients based in Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and the US. But in recent months, a crippling economic crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and of course August's catastrophic Beirut port explosion have threatened the industry like never before. Some of the biggest names in Beirut fashion, including the likes of Elie Saab and Tony Ward, spoke to FRANCE 24 about their experience of the past few months.

The 35th edition of the Hyères Festival was supposed to take place in April, but the pandemic meant that this year, fashion's most important international competition took place in October instead. Embracing the spirit of the times, as ever, this year's Festival embraced the idea of recycling. The top fashion accessories prize went to Basque country brother and sister duo Juana and Ddiddue Etcheberry, while the coveted grand prize was awarded to Belgian designer Tom Van Der Borght. We take a closer look.

No one really knows what next summer will bring, but one thing's for sure. When it comes to ready-to-wear fashion, there's a choice between two standout trends: streetwear and drapery. Will the seductive volumes of Yohji Yamamoto carry the day, or will it be the often tongue-in-cheek style of Prune Goldschmidt? Or will it be a choice between the form-hugging creations of Malian-Senegalese designer Lamine Kouyaté and the relaxed "street couture" of Christelle Kocher? FRANCE 24 takes a closer look.

As the world of fashion mourns the death of Kenzo Takada, Paris once again plays host to real-life fashion shows. Under the leadership of creative director Felipe Oliveira Baptista, Kenzo sounds the alarm over the destruction of global bee populations. At Dior, meanwhile, Maria Grazia Chiuri explores the way clothes are now more in the private sphere than ever before. And Nigerian designer Kenneth Ize uses his catwalk show to send home a defiant message: the celebration of his queer identity.

Fashion's up-and-coming generation knows it has the power to have an impact on the world around it. Leading the pack is French designer Marine Serre, who's working towards nothing less than a fashion revolution. Her 2021 summer collection is an exuberant celebration of the power of both recycling and upcycling. Eschewing the traditional catwalk, she instead released a short film, entitled "Amor Fati" or "Love of Fate". We went to meet this audacious and inventive designer who's not afraid to embrace the inherent chaos of life.

To keep in tune with the zeitgeist, luxury fashion knows it need to rethink its wasteful image and partnering with alternative fashion movements is proving an effective approach. France's Louis Vuitton, La Redoute and even iconic department store Galeries Lafayette have joined forces with Casa 93, a free fashion school in Paris that champions equal opportunities and also teaches the merits of upcycling. For the school's graduates, meanwhile, a host of exciting professional opportunities await. We take a closer look.

"Phygital" is a simple neologism – the fusion of "physical" and "digital". Social distancing means traditional fashion shows won't be making a return for a while. Emerging in their place is a plethora of digital fashion content destined for social media. At Louis Vuitton, Botter and Burberry, the content is largely narrative-based, with aesthetics melding seamlessly with activism. Top of the class, however, is Jacquemus, with his short, phygital film "Amour". We take a look at it and much more.

In these unprecedented times, the world of fashion is grappling with a key question. Large gatherings are still banned and the need for social distancing remains – so what future for the traditional catwalk? With stars and influencers no longer travelling, communication strategies are having to adapt. For Dior's 2021 cruise collection, the label put on a dazzling audience-free show in the heart of the Italian city of Lecce. Dior is hoping that, in the long term, embracing ancient artisanal techniques will help it avoid the worst of the economic crisis.