What people in the fashion and beauty industries are looking forward to in 2021
As we near the end of a year that has been incredibly difficult, in so many different ways, we're looking forward to the promise of 2021.
There's a Covid-19 vaccine and a new administration in the White House — a history-making one at that. There are the groups, from Aurora James's 15 Percent Pledge to Harlem's Fashion Row's ICON360 to Sharon Chuter's Pull Up for Change, that were founded in 2020 and are only just getting started. There are the personal milestones and the upcoming projects, as well as the continuation of the lessons, work and growth from this year. And, according to fashion and beauty professionals, there's hope.
From designers to editors, models to stylists, brand founders to executives, we asked folks in these industries to reflect on 2020 and share what they're most excited about in the new year. Read their responses, below.
ABRIMA ERWIAH, CO-FOUNDER OF STUDIO ONE EIGHTY NINE AND FASHION OUR FUTURE 2020
"I'm looking forward to joy, to taking time to celebrate life. This year, it feels like we all of a sudden had to stop what we're doing and take a pause on celebrations. I'm looking forward to being able to hug the people in my life and to love them in person and to the energy that comes when we can share a space together physically.
"I'm looking forward to our brand being carried by Bergdorf Goodman. I grew up a few blocks away, and I remember a time not long ago even when salespeople would follow us around, as they thought that because you were Black, you were likely to steal. It's very rare to impossible that you would find brands like ours in stores like BG. It's a true honor for us to be able to be carried in such an iconic and beautiful shop. I'm excited to show my mother and to be able to share our brand with the BG community.
"I'm looking forward to finishing our new collection in Ghana next year. I’m enthusiastic about finishing our work with our weavers, dyers and factory in Ghana and Burkina Faso. I also think we will develop a fun and creative way of showcasing the work during New York Fashion Week in 2021.
"I teach part time at Parsons and the students have been developing incredible design projects that are created with impact in mind and that will change the world. I'm looking forward to seeing how their projects develop and seeing the results of all of their work.
"I'm also looking forward to starting the year with a new administration in the U.S. in January and seeing the potential of change and in particular the historical moment when Kamala Harris becomes the first Southeast Asian, Jamaican-American Black woman VP… so much to look forward to! Change is coming!"