The Emporio Armani fall collection, Be A Poem, began with an ode to environmentalism, with pieces from the fashion house’s R-EA collection boldly stating their eco-friendly origins via embroidered slogans such as “I’m saying yes to recycling”.
And while designer Giorgio Armani’s comments – in which he likened fashion’s treatment of women to ’rape’ when it came to influencing their purchasing choices - largely overshadowed the show, the brand’s eco-friendly message was impossible to misconstrue.
Dolce & Gabbana also lifted the veil, but in this instance, it focussed on the production process, celebrating the artisans which produce the Italian label’s distinct designs for its Fall 2020 collection, titled Made by Hand.
Guests were welcomed to the space by knitters and cobblers at work, while film of craftspeople such as weavers, tailers and leather workers was projected along the runway as models presented the results of their craftsmanship.
“The past and the authenticity are linked to the future through a new interpretation/translation of the ‘handmade’,” Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana said of the collection.
It’s no surprise the concept of transparency has found its way onto the ready-to-wear runways, with more and more consumers posing the question of “who made my clothes?” and aligning themselves with brands whose motivations and values reflect their own.
“It is certainly not all about the looks anymore,” says Ethical Fashion Australia’s national manager Angela Bell. “If a brand isn’t doing the right thing, then (conscious consumers aren’t) interested in knowing who they are and that’s becoming a really common point for the conscious customer that’s emerging globally and in Australia.”
