Covid-19 has completely changed the way fashion thinks. According to Angelo Flaccavento from Business of Fashion,”[the pandemic has] buried the tailored suit and resulted in a new blend of comfort and elegance.”
For many people, comfort has become the domain, and it’s one reason why Streetwear has risen so prominently. Though once declared dead by Mr Virgil Abloh himself, the Covid-19 pandemic struck and did away with sophisticated wear, retreating back into casual, baggy and comfort-focused fits.
However, lately there been another development in the fashion world, and it’s not a side effect of Covid, it’s an armour toward the virus.
As is common knowledge now, Covid-19 lives on surfaces. An estimated 90% of our bodies are covered by clothes that viruses are known to thrive on.
And so, fashion, being forever on top of things, decided to reshift its focus towards something very fascinating.
Anti-bacterial and anti-viral fabrics are not new, as Bubblegum Club Magazine reminds us. Garments have, for a while now, been finished with anti-bacterial materials to allow people to re-wear them. But since the pandemic, there’s been a more pressurised demand for anti-viral fabrics to become, well tougher.
Some groups started capitalizing on this concept as early as April last year, such as the albini group, who were already working with textile firms to apply chemicals to textiles during production.
They may have been the first, but they are certainly not the last, and South African brands are here for it too.
Thebe Magugu, the label by Thebetsile Magugu has also showcased the anti-viral fabulousities of his creations.
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“The yarns of the fabric are dipped in an anti-viral solution that bonds to the fabric for up to 30 washes”.
According to Bubblegum Club, the finish can be applied to a myriad of materials, from knitted to woven fabrics.
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Zozi Tunzi, our former Miss Universe also rocked the anti-viral wear.
Taking the lead from some higher fashion, perhaps it’s time for other retailers to invest in this kind of technology. It shouldn’t be reserved for luxury fashion alone and needs to be immersed into other sectors that are far more accessible to the public.
Picture: @thebemagugu