Well well well, the dreaded 2020 is soon coming to an end, and may we say what a rollercoaster of a year that was! To say the least, COVID-19 changed the fashion scenario in the most dramatic fashion. Many shut shops owing to the pandemic scare, stood up with each other to make masks and donate money, and took a season-less, digital route!
A LOT took place in the fashion circuit over these past twelve months and we are here to spill it all. PeepingMoon.com brings you all the fashion highlights and milestones of the infamous 2020 that would be remembered in the years to come.
PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS ADDS ANOTHER FEATHER IN THE HAT
The global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Priyanka, has now been roped by the British Fashion Council (BFC) as its Ambassador for Positive Change in November. This dynamic role will see Priyanka support BFC’s efforts to ‘lead the charge on change, by using fashion as a positive platform to inspire future generations’. PeeCee’s role will support BFC’s cause of raising awareness and promoting best practices within the fashion industry. She will also act as a spokesperson to convey the importance of creative education.
ALIA BHATT’S GIFT FOR CHILDREN
In October, celebrated actor, philanthropist, and investor Alia Bhatt launched her own conscious clothing apparel brand for children, Ed-a-Mamma. The self-funded start-up brand caters to children in the age group of 2-14 years. Ed-a-Mamma is a completely homegrown brand and sustainable brand which resonates with the ‘Vocal for Local’ ethos.
DEEPIKA PADUKONE BECOMES A PART OF LUXURY CAMPAIGN
This year in January, Deepika added another feather to her hat by becoming the first Indian actress to be a part of Louis Vuitton’s pre-fall 2020 campaign. She was joined by actresses like Sophie Turner, Emma Roberts, Elaine Zhong, Urassaya Sperbund, Noémie Merlant, and Lea Seydoux amongst many others as a part of this luxury fashion house's pre-fall collection. Now that’s huge!
MASABA GUPTA’S TRYST WITH ACTING
Post conquering the fashion world with her signature prints and boho sass, designer Masaba Gupta made her acting debut in August with the Netflix series Masaba Masaba. Taking a leaf out of Masaba’s personal life with a scripted backdrop, this six-episode series is packed with oodles of drama, humour, life issues served with dollops of sarcasm, sassy voice-overs, eye rolls, and of course- fashion!
SABYASACHI AND HIS WHOLESOME DEED
Taking a break from his exquisite and hefty bridal lehengas, designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee designed unique uniforms for the students of Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School in Jaisalmer back in the month of October. Initiated by CITTA, these uniforms came with a unique ajrakh block print and features a center front hook button opening, two patch pockets in the front, three-quartered sleeves and ankle-length cropped elastic waist pants in velvet.
RAJESH PRATAP SINGH HELMS SATYA PAUL AS CHIEF CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Design label, Satya Paul named designer Rajesh Pratap Singh as its new Chief Creative Director earlier this year in June. This new role demands, Rajesh to oversee artistic direction for the brand’s apparel collection and present first in Fall/Winter 2020-21.
NEETA LULLA JOINS THE AS THE MEMBER FOR OSCAR’S CLASS OF 2020
Along with actors Hrithik Roshan, Alia Bhatt, costume designer, and couturier Neeta Lulla, had been invited by the Academy Awards back in July to join The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a member for 2020. Amongst 819 artists, from all across the globe, the renowned designer will have voting privileges at the 93rd Oscars which would be held on April 25, 2021.
BEAUTY WITH A CAUSE FT SELENA GOMEZ
Singing sensation Selena Gomez’s dropped her most awaited beauty line ‘Rare Beauty’ this year in the month of September. Along with an impressive lineup pf 48-shades of concealers and foundations, Gomez also introduced a Mental Health initiative, Rare Impact Fund that aims with an effort to raise $100 million for mental health services for underserved communities over the next 10 years. One percent of the proceeds of the annual sale along with funds from partners would be donated to this fund for a noble cause. Apart from the fund, the brand has also created a Rare Beauty Mental health council to guide and advise the company to create a maximum impact.
JLO'S ENTRY IN BEAUTY BIZ
Pop sensation and a class apart fashionista Jennifer Lopez decided to reign over the beauty business in the month of November. The stunner made an announcement on her social media account shared details of her '30-year-old dream project.' To no one’s disappointment, JLo unveiled her beauty secrets with her skincare range- JLo Beauty. Right from complexion boosters to serums and wonder cream, Lopez has something for everybody!
GAGA ENDS THE FASHION FAMINE
Like a true blue fashionista, pop sensation and actress Lady Gaga put an end to the fashion famine at MTV's Video Music Awards 2020 with a social distancing twist. Keeping in mind the pandemic situation, Gaga opted for social distancing couture, but not without her quirky, I-can’t-believe-she-did-that touch. From antlers and tusks to fishbowl and digital face mask, Gaga demonstrated to the world how to look at your stylish best while social distancing. With five awards, nine couture changes, and five statement masks, she swept VMAs on a glamourous and victorious note!
BEYONCE'S GIFT FOR HOLIDAYS
Queen Bey's Ivy Park x Adidas collection launched its Vol 2 in November and we know what to ask from Santa this Christmas! Called Drip 2, the queen's latest offering blended athleisure with glamour and was also easy on the pocket as it was reasonably priced under $200. Taking the concept of inclusivity, a notch higher, Bey's curated line comprised of sizes ranging from XXXS to 4X.
ONE WOMAN-MANY HATS: RIHANNA
She proves that #VeganFashion can make you shine bright like a diamond!
PETA is awarding @rihanna the Compassion in Fashion award for her JAW-DROPPING leather-free @FentyOfficial capsule collection! https://t.co/0FJRTkCr0a pic.twitter.com/ruuj8fXG8f
— PETA (@peta) April 9, 2020
With back to back collections from her lingerie and beauty brand, safe to say this year belonged to Rihanna. The music mogul turned beauty entrepreneur got lauded by PETA for Fenty's recent faux-leather, cruelty-free capsule collection in April, this year.
Thanks to her partnership with LVMH, the stunner also found a spot on 'The Sunday Times' of London's Rich List 2020 in May. Rihanna’s net worth is estimated to be around £468 million, making her grab the third spot on the coveted list as the richest musician in Britain. Whoa!
THE COVID CRISIS
From economies collapsing to businesses suffering, a lot happened this year because COVID-19 played a spoilsport. However, the fashion fraternity stuck together as one big family in these testing times and sailed through the crisis, one wave at a time!
Following the suit of International designers, many Indian designers like Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi Mukherjee pledged donation to PM CARES fund in March.
Designers Masaba Gupta, Anita Dongre, Ritu Kumar contributed to the production of non-surgical masks and did their bit in the ‘war against virus’ in the month of April.
The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) along with the Lakme Fashion Week took the lead to set up a COVID-19 Support Fund in March that will provide financial assistance to the fashion industry as a whole.
Due to the health crisis and the development of the French and international situation, the Festival de Cannes will no longer be able to take place on the dates planned, from May 12 to 23. More info #Cannes2020 https://t.co/peLmfw0gQW pic.twitter.com/SVWPasvU23
— Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) March 19, 2020
Just a few days after making an official announcement about postponing the gala in March, the management of the Cannes Film Festival took a decision to open the doors of the venue to all the homeless people amidst the pandemic lockdown. In tough times like these where coming together to help each other out is not only morally right but extremely necessary, the officials are setting a perfect example in front of the world.
GONE, TOO SOON
This year we bid adieu to many fashion maestros who were impeccable and brilliant in the field of fashion and surely left a legacy behind.
WENDELL RODRICKS
Acclaimed fashion designer Wendell Rodricks passed away on February 13, 2020 at his Goa home. He was 59 years old. This Padma Shri recipient was also an author, environmentalist and vocal advocate of gay rights. He was hailed as the Guru of Minimalism. He also acted and made cameo appearances in the 2003 film Boom and in the TV play True West in 2002. He played himself in Priyanka Chopra’s and Kangana Ranaut’s film Fashion.
SERIGIO ROSSI
The COVID-19 global pandemic has put over a million people around the world under the scope. One such special case was that of the much-loved Italian shoe-designer, Sergio Rossi, who lost the battle of life, fighting the coronavirus, on April 3, 2020, at the age of 84.
SIMAR DUGAL
Model-turned-designer Simar Dugal passed away, after her long battle with cancer, on August 12, 2020. She was 52. Before tuning a designer for her ethnic wear label, Simar was one of India’s top supermodels who broke the stereotypes back then and continued to hit the ramp even after her marriage. Her namesake designer brand was known for its elegant kurtis with wild floral prints and exuded a bohemian vibe. She was a prominent name in the fashion arena indeed.
SHARBARI DATTA
Renowned fashion designer Sharbari Datta left the mortal world for a heavenly abode on September 17, 2020. Known for her impeccable work in designing ethnic wear for men, Sharbari breathed her last at the age of 63 at her Kolkata based home. The designer was found dead inside her washroom. The primary investigation suggested that she died of a sudden cardiac attack in the washroom. But the family members of Dutta said she was otherwise keeping fine and had no such chronic ailment.
KENZO TAKADA
Iconic designer Kenzo Takada, who introduced Japanese fashion to the world, breathed his last on Sunday, October 4, 2020. He was 81. According to the statement given by Kenzo’s family, he died of COVID-19 complications at a hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris.
BHANU ATHAIYA
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Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya, who became the first Indian to win an Oscar, left for heavenly abode on Thursday, October 15, 2020, owing to a prolonged illness. She breathed her last at 91, at her residence, leaving a void in the showbiz that can never be filled. Apart from winning an Academy Award in the Best Costume Design category at the 1983 Oscars for her work in Richard Attenborough's Gandhi, she was a recipient of the BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design and two-time National Award winner for costume designing in Lekin (1991) and Lagaan (2001).
BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT
The news of the demise of Floyd took over social media on May 25, 2020, due to a video that went viral where a policeman can be seen kneeling on his neck for more than 5 minutes during an arrest while he lay handcuffed and crying out in pain about being unable to breathe. In addition to the pandemic, protests were going all over the country owing to the police brutality. Along with renowned celebrities, many high-end fashion labels have joined forces and showed their support to the ongoing ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement.
From Rihanna’s SavagexFenty to Gap Inc’s brands Banana Republic, Athleta, Gap, and Old Navy and athleisure brand Fila, fashion fraternity in the West stood together to do their bit in ending racial injustice.
(Source- Instagram, PeepingMoon)
