The Outside View: Looking Back at 2020’s Balancing Act

Last year hit fashion like a ton of bricks. But, in many ways, it was a more balanced year than we’ve ever had. Newton’s Third Law of Motion was in full effect: that is, for every action, there was an equal and opposite reaction. We had been riding high for decades, with little consequence. Last year showed us the reality of both our planet’s and humanity’s limits. The Yin & Yang of Fashion in 2020 Fashion has always had a Dark Side. But, this year, no one could turn a blind eye. COVID-19’s abrupt stop to business last March revealed brands’ true colors. When companies failed to pay overseas manufacturers for their orders, the #PayUp campaign was launched — a naming and shaming of major brands and retailers that canceled orders to protect their bottom lines. Some brands caved under pressure, while others still haven’t paid for their orders. (If you’re curious, Payupfashion.com has kept a running list.) Last year, forced Uighur labor in Xinjiang, China, was discovered and exposed, both in fiber harvest and garment manufacturing, among other industries. Human rights groups claimed that “virtually the entire” fashion industry was complicit, driving home the reality of modern slavery in our trade. If 2019’s

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