2021 Fashion Year in Review: Loss, Activism, Sustainability, and the Metaverse

The article reviews the fashion year 2021, marked by the deaths of Virgil Abloh (Nov 28) and Alber Elbaz (Apr 24), aged 41 and 59 respectively. Activism intensified: Extinction Rebellion disrupted Louis Vuitton's runway during COP26, while Youth4Climate in Milan and Friday for Future in Glasgow protested climate inaction. Fast fashion giants H&M, Uniqlo, and Zara faced pressure over unsustainable practices. At the IUCN World Conservation Programme in Marseille, Antoine Arnault of LVMH stated, "Our role is to give back what we borrow from nature." The Fashion Charter for Sustainable Action was renewed at COP26. Emerging designers like Hillary Taymour (Collina Strada), Francesco Risso, Marine Serre, Thebe Magugu, Rushemy Botter & Lisi Herrebrugh, Paolo Carzana, and Auroboros (Paula Sello & Alissa Aulbekova) gained attention. Brands including Adidas, Balenciaga, Balmain, Burberry, Clinique, Dolce&Gabbana, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Nike ventured into NFTs and gaming. Shanghai Fashion Week saw higher viewership than Milan or Paris. Saint Laurent and Gucci left official calendars; Balenciaga used the metaverse. Fashion exhibitions included the Met's "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" and Brooklyn Museum's Christian Dior show, plus Martin Margiela at Galeries Lafayette. Financial groups LVMH, Kering, Richemont, and Mayhoola for Investments dominated; Italian groups Prada, Moncler, OTB, Tod's, Brunello Cucinelli, and Zegna remain.