The Fashion Industry - A Ray of Hope amid COVID-19

No one is aware of how the world will look like on the other side of the Coronavirus pandemic. All scales of businesses and industrial enterprises have been affected. Though, one of the major sufferers is the $2.5 trillion global fashion industry. It is understandable as it comes under discretionary spending, the losses are bound to happen amid the lockdown. However, staying at home is the most important thing for now, as any financial losses can be recovered later but our health is of topmost priority.

Keeping The Hopes Alive

During a time when the fashion industry - a significant part of the textile and apparel market, is going through a turmoil, with the stock market crashing, sales declining, employees losing their jobs, and major global fashion events getting cancelled, it is still standing strong together and trying to contribute to the society in whatever way possible.
It is exhilarating to see that many designers from across the country are concerned about the safety and well being of their workers, both in terms of medical and financial safety.
Some of them have sent their employees on paid leave for an indefinite period and some of them are making sure that the weavers and tailors who are working from home have enough raw materials and that their salaries are reaching them on time.
The major concern for most of these designers is not that they are running in losses but their workers who are in dire need of financial assistance are getting paid on time.
With the availability of sanitisers, medical masks, and PPE kits getting affected, many global and local fashion brands have even committed their workforce towards manufacturing these products and are supplying them to World Health Organisation (WHO), hospitals, healthcare facilities and NGOs for free of cost to be distributed among the population.

Organisational Support

In India, the fashion industry is the second largest employer after agriculture. It helps millions of people directly and indirectly. Therefore, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has assured that they are standing shoulder-to-shoulder through all the challenges that the industry is facing and will come up with a solution as and when the time and circumstances allow.
The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) has set up a COVID-19 Support Fund in order to provide financial assistance to young designers, small businesses, craftsmen, artisans, tailors and weavers in need.
Many small businesses and young fashion designers who have ventured into the market just recently, do not have enough reserves to tide through these troubled times. However, this fund will be able to lend them support and a little strength to get back on their feet once this crisis gets over.
Till the government takes appropriate measures, the fashion industry is going to rely on one of its strongest weapons, Creativity. And, when all this gets over, the markets will be enlivened with the most beautiful and awe-inspiring collections again.

As the world is going through a dark phase, both major fashion labels and individual designers are putting in their strong efforts to keep the citizens safe. As one of the leading designers of Indian bridal wear, Pawan & Pranav Haute Couture extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the frontline workers, individuals and organisations who are constantly working 24/7 to protect us. We are going to come out of this stronger and better. Stay home, stay safe!