Parallel to the economic turmoil in today's financial market are the changes made in the fashion industry to adapt within a recession, but what exactly does a recession look like in fashion? &nbsp;

A large portion of economists have foreshadowed a recession in the United States for quite some time, and in the midst of the resurgance of maximalist fashion and other exaggerated trends in the industry, the global fashion sector is forced to adapt upon the fall of the financial market. However, what exactly does this response to inflation look like? The answer can be found on the runway, displaying collections that prioritize functionality over flamboyance as basic expenses are deemed dispensible to make ends meet.
Recessions have a history of driving the fashion industry towards a more gender-inclusive style, saying goodbye to lavish embellishments, vibrant colors, and the exclusivity typically associated with luxury fashion. When the art of fashion design is stunted by economic uncertainty, garment production, event coordination, and the fiscal and artistic growth of the industry is too hindered. How does the fashion industry approach such an unpredictable deterrent? With a contingency plan that establishes minimalistic, gender-fluid clothing as the "hottest new trend," brands across the fashion pyramid can mask economic behavior with simplistic designs without having to sacrifice the personality of their label. In other words, they turn to recession-core.&nbsp;

To understand how fashion brands adapt to the fiscally conservative nature of a recession, we can reflect on the economic crash of 2008, the predecessor to the minimalist era that was early <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/craziest-trends-fads-early-2010s-fashion-beauty-culture" title="The Craziest Trends and Fads from the Early 2010s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2010s fashion</a>. Looking back on New York Fashion Week circa 2010, luxury designers <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/vera-wang-career-wedding-dresses-celebrity-red-carpet" title="How Vera Wang Built a Wedding Dress Empire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vera Wang</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/men/reed-krakoff-tiffany-interview-2019" title="Reed Krakoff Understands the Romantic Modern Man" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reed Krakoff</a>, and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/men/ralph-lauren-fashion-designer-facts-polo" title="10 Must-Know Facts About Ralph Lauren" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ralph Lauren</a>, among others, presented collections characterized by muted tones, minimal jewelery, and designs of no discernible pattern. However, because of recession-core, luxury designers were able to escape judgement in their shortcomings to produce opulent designs. With an influence so potent, the world of couture can establish trends as much as it can recycle them, molding their collections around the enviroment they create.&nbsp;

Vera Wang at NYFW 2010.

Reed Krakoff at NYFW 2010.

Ralph Lauren at NYFW 2010.

It can be agreed upon that throughout an economic recession, consumer behavior tends to decline. To combat gaining a reputation as an unnecessary expense, the fashion industry is able to manipulate the act of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/plus-size-boutiques-shop" title="6 Plus Size Boutiques You Need to be Shopping Year Round" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shopping</a> to become more of a justified investment. How? <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/gender-neutral-fragrance-brands-perfume-cologne" title="3 Innovative Fragrance Brands Breaking Gender Boundaries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gender-fluid</a> clothing.&nbsp;
When gender distinctions are blurred, fashion becomes more inclusive and, within the context of a recession, more attainable. When luxury designers create pieces to be worn by both men and women, they are able to produce a larger collection at a lesser cost, resisting the consequences of an economic decline.&nbsp;

Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2021.

<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/louis-vuitton-mens-spring-summer-2021-shanghai-virgil-abloh" title="Louis Vuitton Men's Spring/Summer 2021 Collection is a Manifesto of Inclusiveness" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Louis Vuitton's Spring/Summer 2021</a> collection is an example of how fashion brands can reap the benefits of implementing gender-fluidity in their designs. Admist a recession as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/louis-vuitton-monogram-luggage-history" title="Louis Vuitton: The Master of Luggage and the Monogram Logo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Louis Vuitton</a> released a collection characterized by a quilted pockets, metallic colors, and removable chains to be worn by both men and women. Not only did the collection receive wide amounts of praise, but Louis Vuitton as a brand was able to recover in a year as financially taxing as 2021. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Within the fashion industry, it is natural for trends to come and go. While economic recessions cannot be planned for, the global fashion sector holds the tools necessary to adapt and change their course of action when needed. No fashion trend is as economical as genderflux clothing, and when used to their advantage, luxury fashion houses can continue to thrive in periods of financial distress.

Photo via Getty Images.

What Does a Recession Look Like in Fashion?

Tags

Related Articles

Fashion

Kering Acquires 30 Percent Stake in Valentino

Pop culture

How Much Money Does Rihanna Make from Fashion?

Politics & Culture

Young Ubah Hassan Photos From Her Early Modeling Days

Recommended posts for you

Fashion

TikTok-Favorite Fashion Micro-Trends We’re Taking Into 2025

Pop culture

Holding Space for 2024's Best Viral Pop Culture Moments

Fashion

See How Fendi Did This Year's Holiday Capsule

Fashion

L’HISTOIRE: Carrie Bradshaw's Enduring 1998 Dior Newspaper Dress

Pop culture

2024's Biggest Celebrity Engagements: Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, Chris Martin

Beauty

The Controversial Hair Trend Set to Rule 2025 — And How to Nail the Look

Fashion

L’HISTOIRE: Elizabeth Hurley's Risqué 1994 Versace Dress

Fashion

Every Time David Corenswet Stepped Out Looking Like Clark Kent