• Woolmark Prize Finalist 21 - Marie-Ève Lecavalier - Canada
    Woolmark Prize Finalist 21 - Marie-Ève Lecavalier - Canada
  • Woolmark Prize Finalist 21 - Matty Bovan - UK
    Woolmark Prize Finalist 21 - Matty Bovan - UK
  • Woolmark Prize Finalist 21 - Thebe Magugu - South Africa
    Woolmark Prize Finalist 21 - Thebe Magugu - South Africa
  • Woolmark Prize Finalist 21 - Charaf Tajer (Casablanca) - France
    Woolmark Prize Finalist 21 - Charaf Tajer (Casablanca) - France
  • Woolmark Prize Finalist 21 - Bethany Williams - UK
    Woolmark Prize Finalist 21 - Bethany Williams - UK
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Ragtrader asks five Woolmark Prize Finalists: How do you believe the fashion industry will change after 2020/2021?

Marie-Eve Lecavalier - Canada

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I believe that the last year has, well hopefully, stripped down the over consumption side of fashion and the excess and will bring more attention to what really matters: the garment.

Clothes has always been a big part of the human storytelling and now it will be more important than ever to tell our point of view through our creations.

I do hope that overall the industry will be more kind, inclusive and openminded and give opportunities to talented people and not only the elite.


Matty Bovan - UK

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I can’t imagine anything remaining the same as before the pandemic.

The industry is far more in tune with the terminology such as sustainability, repurposing, and circle culture, so we are going to see a far greater transparency.

We will also see greater creativity as brands learn to work within these parameters, with a much greater focus on craft, handiwork, sourcing and inclusion.

Transparency leads to more focus on process, which is something I really enjoy, and the idea that the customer will better understand what has gone into the creation of their garments, is more satisfying as a designer, than just purchasing the end product.


Thebe Magugu - South Africa

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I think intention will become a key word people will use when making decisions.

Fashion could get away with being purely product for products sake but with the devastation (and hopefully the string of epiphanies) the pandemic left in its path, people I believe will be more mindful of their impact, and think about how their developments better their context or enjoy an end-use that is efficient and most sustainable.

Fashion can [and in many ways should be] an escape, but not at the expense of our reality.

As creative people though, we are blessed with the capacity to dream up and think about what that looks like in practice.


Charaf Tajer (Casablanca) - France

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The past year has had a massive impact on everyone in and out of the industry, regardless of fashion.

I hope that this period of time has helped people reflect more upon the importance of not only our own mental health, but of others as well.

The importance of being happy and maintaining positivity, and how we eat, wear, listen to and look at has a direct impact on our life and mentality.

The fashion industry may be looked at as this huge machine, but we can play an active role in helping to draw out the positives and beauty of the world.


Bethany Williams - UK

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I think people have had time to assess and evaluate the current systems, and I feel like they are paying more attention to their buying choices to take ethical production and the impact on the environment into more consideration when shopping.

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