This year's Spring/Summer 2021 Shanghai Fashion Week was the first physical event of its kind post-COVID and marked China's economic recovery and the nation's success in controlling the ongoing spread of coronavirus. In addition to a number of physical fashion presentations, the event was also home to branded activations including Visa's notable "Where You Shop Matters" exhibit.
The event mark's Visa's fourth year of partnering with Shanghai fashion week and was launched in collaboration with luxury retailer FarFetch. In addition to sponsoring young Shanghai-based designers, Visa is also looking to "empower the sustainable development" of these up-and-coming talents.
"The impact of COVID-19 is being felt by economies worldwide, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. As a result, business is stagnating for young Chinese designers." Visa's immersive exhibit was hosted during Shanghai Fashion Week in October of 2020 and included an Empower & Envision Forum and opening dinner, diving into to how to best help empower young designers while also promoting environmentally friendly practices.
Empowering Fashion Activations
Shanghai Fashion Week Hosted Visa's "Where You Shop Matters" Event
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Fashion - Visa's 'Where You Shop Matters' exhibit highlights the importance of environmentally friendly practices in the fashion industry, indicating a growing trend towards sustainable fashion.
2. Virtual Fashion Events - As the world continues to adapt to the impact of COVID-19, there is a growing trend towards virtual fashion events, presenting an opportunity to explore the potential of new technologies and reach a global audience.
3. Empowering Emerging Designers - Through its partnership with Shanghai Fashion Week and FarFetch, Visa is empowering young Chinese designers, suggesting a trend towards supporting and investing in emerging talent in the fashion industry.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Industry - Visa's 'Where You Shop Matters' exhibit at Shanghai Fashion Week is indicative of opportunities to innovate and transform the fashion industry through environmentally sustainable practices and supporting emerging talent.
2. Event Planning Industry - With a growing trend towards virtual fashion events, the event planning industry has an opportunity to explore and develop new technologies to create immersive experiences for global audiences.
3. Sustainability Industry - Visa's promotion of environmentally friendly practices in the fashion industry suggests a growing trend towards sustainable fashion and opportunities for innovators in the sustainability industry to develop and provide eco-friendly materials and solutions for fashion designers and retailers.