Browsing through 2020’s closet Mari Parzick

BROWSING THROUGH 2020’S CLOSET

PHOTO COURTESY of NOONDAY COLLECTION

An Insider look on Upcoming Fashion Trends

By Marianna Parzick

As you flip through the pages of brightly lit runway shows, shining colors, and modern, funky patterns of the fashion catalog, you look down and can’t help but notice you’ve been in your pajamas all day. But, you’re not alone.

The arrival of COVID hit the fashion industry hard and there have been some major adaptations ever since. Without busy New York streets or exhilarating runway shows, fashion inspiration has been low. But, even with the rise of COVID, people can find one thing to stay connected: fashion trends. From mainstream and luxury to thrifting/second-hand finds, there have been many new, fun, and funky trends in the fashion industry recently. Finding your style can help you present yourself to others, and luckily there are many options.

One main form of recent fashion is accessories and jewelry. Accessories and jewelry can be used to elevate or spice up an outfit. Trending accessories include headbands, chains, wire/ crystal necklaces, funky rings, and much more.

Jessica Honegger is the CEO of a locally-owned jewelry and accessory fashion business, Noonday Collection. Noonday is a “fashion brand that creates economic opportunity for Artisans living in vulnerable communities,” said Honnegger.

Along with selling unique pieces from around the world, they are a feminist and socially responsible brand. Honegger said being at Noonday is, “a lot about our social impact that we’re making, and also just helping women feel beautiful in their skin.”

Like Honnegger said, being in the fashion industry is fastpaced and constantly changing, which means it is very future oriented. So, planning out stock and designs takes time. “We’re designing our collections right now for spring 2022,” said Honegger.

Colorful beading process handmade by artisans. Photo Courtesy Of noonday collection.

Strong Female Artisans and Ambassadors of Noonday Collection working together. Photo Courtesy of Noonday Collection

She explains that in order to release a collection, they first kick it off with a trend presentation from a merchandising director who looks to runway designers, artists, and culture to understand what the upcoming trends are. Once they can get a good idea of the designs they can begin developing and releasing their collection.

But, like many other businesses, Noonday has been heavily impacted by COVID. “Typically, we are constantly scouring designers and runways in order to predict what sort of trends our customers might like,” Honneggersaid. But because of COVID, “both runway and street fashion have become a lot less relevant.” Honnegger said. She says they are no longer able to look to runway or street fashion because people aren’t really out and about anymore.

In addition, the supply chain was impacted. For the first few months, certain launches had to be put on pause and their collections were adapted. “Certain things we thought we’d be able to launch we weren’t able to,” Honnegger said.

But, it wasn’t all bad. “Other items that we were able to get in, we were able to launch and we started launching DIY kits for when people were staying home alone more. We started launching build your own bracelet sets, morse code sets, and paper beads sets,” Honnegger said.

She said they also began to “drop less products more frequently.”

Some of Noonday Collection’s adaptations caused by COVID ended up being here to stay in the long run. “Our Noonday collection ambassadors, who are basically retail store owners, quickly shifted and started doing online gatherings...So now most of our sales are online... But now, as we are kind of thinking about what gathering is going to look like in the future, I think our real shift is that a majority of our sales are going to take place in a virtual setting, even as people begin to gather again,” Honneger said.

Mainstream, luxury, and brand names are not the only popular ways to shop. Especially this past year, thrifting has been widely popularized. Thrifting is a great way to find unique pieces that fit you.

Aarian Frye, a marketing specialist for Buffalo Exchange, started in store as a buyer and moved over to the corporate office in Tucson, Arizona. Buffalo Exchange is a great thrift store that is meant for “anyone who enjoys the thrill of discovering an awesome secondhand find. Or, someone who wants current clothing at a great price,” said Frye.

Frye explains that in order to keep up with trends while offering a wide selection they follow fashion blogs and style influencers on social media while also spending a lot of time researching what’s hot and new in stores. Then most importantly, they ask customers what they’re shopping for and what they’d like to see. Since most of the inventory does come from a super diverse customer base, it’s easy for them to offer such a wide selection.

In her mind, “secondhand fashion doesn’t really differ from mainstream because while you can find really unique, one of a kind vintage pieces shopping secondhand, you can also find styles that are super primed, and reflect what you see right now, while online shopping in malls or department stores.” Frye explains that if anything, thrifting gives you more options to really create your own personal style and you can find so many different pieces in one place.

When COVID hit, Buffalo Exchange, like all businesses, had to adapt. Frye says that especially at the beginning of the pandemic, customers were not able to come in and shop. So, they implemented mandatory safety precautions such as mandatory masks, frequently sanitizing the entire store, and limited indoor capacity for shoppers and employees. “We also installed selling by appointment and the option to use our sell by mail program,” said Frye. Buffalo exchange’s selction adapted to new covid percautions. photo courtesy Of buffalo exchange.

The colorful exterior of Buffalo Exchange ready to welcome excited shoppers. Photo Courtesy of Buffalo Exchange

Beautiful Artisan-made jewelry in the hands of the skillful artist. photo Courtesy Of Noonday Collection

Buffalo Exchange has also had to adapt the way they market their business. Frye says a lot of the focus has been on explaining current protocols. Buffalo Exchange posts a lot online about updates in the store and new things that you might see like closed dressing rooms, plexiglass/screens in front of the buy counter, or the new sell via mail program.

Along with affecting individual businesses, COVID has affected the fashion industry in general.

“The luxury market has been impacted”, Honneger said. “Even in this last year, if people haven’t been impacted or suffered by COVID, then you’re not wanting to flaunt that. There’s just a little bit more of a quietness in the fashion industry right now.”

In addition, “we’ve seen trends like loungewear, a ton of new DIY projects like tie-dye, and just all around cozy styles to work for home and for brief outings. We’ve also seen on the flip side, people started to take a lot of chances with their style. So, someone who may have only worn jeans and a T-shirt before, they start experimenting with different layers and bright colors and things like that,” said Frye.

People’s opinions and styles evolve and grow over time, and what might have been popular one year is forgotten the following year. However, some trends do last a long time, even if they are adapted based on the current styles or trends.

“For the short term, I feel like we’ve seen a lot of micro trends, so they’re styles that take off quickly and are super popular” said Frye. “But instead of buying a ton of them, you keep a few key pieces, like tie dye as I mentioned. Cow print has been huge and fringe.” “Longer term trends would be more comfortable. For example, loungewear, athleisure, and sustainable styles. Either buying from secondhand or smaller and slower style brands that have low impact materials and smaller production scale,” said Frye.

The only way to know for sure what trends go into and out of style is just to observe. Hopefully as COVID begins to decline, we will begin to go back to our normal methods of style and fashion inspiration. But, even as we return to normal, 2020’s trends won’t be forgotten.

“There’s just a little bit more of a quietness in the fashion industry right now.” - Jessica honneger from noonday collection