The fashion industry has taken a hard hit due to the ongoing
pandemic – from the retail stores being shut and millions of karigars and workers
struggling to make ends meet, we’ve been witnessing it all.

In an interaction with OPOYI, Celebrity designer Sandeep Gonsalves talks about fashion during the
COVID-19, luxury fashion industry, and also suggest ways to look your dapper
best while working from home.

Sandeep says, “People are shopping online only for the things they can wear
right now,” due to which a lot of fashion houses have pivoted in surprising and
expected ways to find a new way of reaching customers.

However, he believes that brands with an online presence
will perform better if they reorganise their operations based on consumer
behaviour. “But, the fashion industry will take time to bounce back. Once the
financial condition is stable, the customers might start to shop again.”

Luxury brands, Sandeep tells us, have adopted new procedures in
the way they deal with their customers as social distancing has become a new
norm. “Brands will have to find a way to be more efficient for digital
purchases as customers are more inclined to purchase the products online while
still expecting to get the same luxury experience of the physical purchase.
This will make the luxury market rebound faster than any other sector as people
are forced into an online world.”

The pandemic has forced people to reconsider their
buying behaviour all across the globe. People are buying less with the focus on
something that will be long-lasting and of value. “It has changed the way
consumers engage with the products and has given rise to online shopping.”

The Indian wedding industry, “largely depends on weddings and
festivals for sale,” says Sandeep, adding how with
all the events and festivities coming to a pause, every store now has a lot of
unsold merchandise.

A hit on the wedding industry has directly hit the fashion
industry. Without events and weddings, there is no reason for people to shop
which has impacted sales and business as without social gatherings people have
no reason to shop.

“While the brides and grooms would still want to make their
wedding a memorable one and wear their best attire for their big day, they
might consider repurposing something they already have in their wardrobe.
Instead of spending on an entire ensemble, they might spend on a part of the
outfit to give it a quick makeover,” he says.

However, the pandemic has awakened a new sense of responsibility in
people. “People are going to think before they spend their hard-earned money as
it has made people reflect on their way of living and what they consume.
Consumers care more about company ethics, and sustainability will have a large
role to play in the long run which will positively influence financial performance,”
the designer tells us while talking about the importance of sustainable
fashion.

He adds that the pandemic has upended the way people
shop, sparking some serious change in the fashion industry. “With people
spending more time at home, the need for comfortable clothing has skyrocketed.
As people are not traveling to work, there is no need for them to shop for clothes
to wear for the office, gym, parties, etc. This has certainly helped boost the
loungewear and sleepwear segment.”

Quick tips and tricks:

– 3 ways to pair a white shirt

One can wear a white shirt under a suit, style it with navy blue
trousers & brown monk shoes or with shorts or denim and complete the
look with loafers.

– 2 do’s and 2 don’ts for dressing up for an official
zoom meeting

Do’s:

If you have a meeting with a client or a third party, wearing a
buttoned-up shirt is the go-to video conference call look. Throw on a blazer or
a jacket if you are going for a formal look 

Don’ts:

Vests and those sleeveless gym shirts are a strict no. Make sure
not to wear a wrinkly or stained garment.

– 5 must-have wardrobe essentials

A well-tailored jacket, formal trousers, a crisp white shirt,
solid waistcoat, and smart accessories.

– What should one not do while dressing for a casual
party

When it comes to dressing for a casual party, people forget to
not dress too casually. A lot of people approach casual dressing from the wrong
angle to look young. Avoid flashy graphic t-shirts and opt for solid, one
colour t-shirts.

– 3 words to describe your signature style

Clean, comfortable, and structured.