Forces of Fashion Turns 5
By Megan Maritz
Vogue’s Forces of Fashion is making a return for its annual summit and much like last year's virtual conference, 2021’s conference will be showcased digitally once again. This will mark Vogue's fifth year exhibiting this event and successfully despite Covid restrictions. Its return will take place on the 7th and the 8th of July and will be completely virtual. Vogue details on their website that there will be some major names within the fashion industry present, these individuals will be shown along with editors of Vogue from across the world in order to help bring in an international point of view. This event will consist of two days of riveting panels and discussions. Vogue further details how the editors at this event will comprise Anna Wintour who is the editor in chief at Vogue, alongside her will be Hamish Bowles an international Vogue contributor, Margaret Zhang Vogue China editor-in-chief and lastly Edward Enninful British Vogue editor-in-chief. The editors will provide the viewers with a look into the inner workings and behind-the-scenes insight into the international proceeding of the creation of Vogue.
Designers that will take part in this event include Gabriela Hearst, John Galliano and Tomo Koizumi. Other participants include editorial and runway make-up artist Pat McGrath, costume designer Ruth E. Carter and stylist Zerina Akers. Viewers of this event will have access to all of the content produced and will additionally be able to take part in networking forums hosted by editors, stylists and creatives at Vogue. An updated addition to the panel came from Vogue on May 12th as they announced five new voices would be attending the conference. These creatives are namely Thebe Magugu, Priya Ahluwalia, Yueqi Qi, Abrima Erwiah, and Rosario Dawson. These individuals will take part in a discussion with Chioma Nnadi the Vogue.com editor, and will focus on “What it means to build a brand with impeccable authenticity”. These five new voices will each bring a powerful viewpoint and new perspective to this discussion. Each of these individuals have had an impressive career as Magugu was the most recent winner of the LVMH prize when he showcased his South African namesake brand, Ahluwalia has created a significant impression with her ecological menswear featured in London fashion and more, Qi’s Shanghai-based brand has featured ethereal beading with a hint of modernity and lastly Erwiah and Dawson’s Studio One Eighty Nine brand has showcased the enticing beauty of African designs in conjunction with prioritizing craftsmanship and moral business operations. Erwiah and Dawson have also recently been nominated for the Vogue Fashion Fund 2021.
This is an event that should definitely not be missed. You can see the live countdown to the event here and purchase tickets to the show: https://vogueforcesoffashion.com/