This month is a perfect example of the way themes evolve and intersect as our world continues to undergo dramatic changes. As we look around us for inspiration and information, we see how the Black Lives Matter movement and its recent activism efforts have become enmeshed into the unfolding aspects of the worldwide pandemic. Here are this month’s trend report with top themes, curated and filtered through our lens, for you to read and explore.
The Education Era
Listening, learning, unlearning, and educating on racism and Black culture took center stage this week. This was expressed through
more traditional media outlets such as newspapers and magazines, but the core of it was based in social media channels. These outlets have departed from their positive feel-good vibe with beautiful images and have transformed into educational, informative platforms. But it’s not just the users who are taking action. The platforms themselves are making changes, like Pinterest, who launched an official BLM board with curated sub-boards on related topics .
Visually speaking, this change in subject matter has led to a shift from the information-heavy images of data visualization toward a simplified aesthetic, based on solid backgrounds and no-fuss typography treatment, in order to convey clear and informative messages.
Money Matters
The ongoing theme of conscious consumerism is also being affected by recent Black Lives Matter events and activism. Race-aware shopping is encouraged throughout many industries, with a particular emphasis in fashion, beauty and lifestyle. There’s an ongoing call encouraging customers to carefully research products and choose to buy from black owned brands and businesses. Many companies are taking on the 15 Percent Pledge, promising 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses.
The economic aspect doesn’t stop there, and gets even more upfront and personal. Brands are using the hashtag pulluporshutup to officially share the numbers and figures that make up their business, declaring how they plan to improve, donate and contribute to change.
The New Self Care
Last month’s mental health focus is remaining in the spotlight through a new lens, addressing the toll recent race issues have taken on the mental health of the Black Community.
Black people suddenly find themselves - willingly or not - constantly in the midst of public conversations, being forced to explain, justify, and defend themselves. This brings about a highly necessary discussion about the importance of self-care, compassion, and rest and relaxation in helping this demographic cope in these specific circumstances. Rachel Elizabeth Cargle - an educator and activist - launched a partnership with Getaway, offering luxury escapes to those fighting for change, and The Nap Ministry has called for Black people to take the day off on Juneteenth in order to “rest up for the work ahead.”
Virtual Fashion
As the fashion industry faces one of its biggest crises to date, it is forced to reinvent itself. With brick and mortar shops taking a huge hit due to the pandemic, the ever growing reliance of fashion brands on the online world is pushing them to find new creative ways to boost sales.
For the first time ever London Fashion Week took place online, challenging participating designers to rethink how they showcase their work. Drest, a new interactive luxury styling game presented in LFW, uses real brands and garments in the digital space, also available as real-life garments for purchase.
Another example is Tennis Clash - a video game using Gucci’s designs which can also be bought in real life.
Pride and Prejudice
As Pride Month came to a close, we saw LGBTQ+ issues integrating with the current discourse both visually and thematically. This year, it seems that the Transgender Community has been the focus, and in particular, Black Trans people.
In the United States, the Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects against workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, achieving a long-sought victory for LGBTQ rights. On the other side of the news, author J.K. Rowling was accused of transphobia, as she used the phrase “people who menstruate” in a tweet, excluding Trans women from her definition of women. The backlash was quick to arrive, with international responses of condemnation and disapproval.
Pride colors and its signature rainbow took over most visual treatments of these pressing issues, though in many cases they were used in an optimistic, joyful manner with light, pastel shades.
