Covid Fashion

The Virtual Exhibition of Pandemic Masks Clothing the Pandemic

Abstract

The authors approach fashion first and foremost as a poignant form of expression that regulates social coexistence. The constant transformations of its forms and the persistent drive to introduce and apply innovations make fashion a particularly compelling subject for study. This paper explores representations of Covid-era fashion as manifested in various items of clothing, especially face masks. The first part of the study addresses the question: What is fashion? Next, the most characteristic verbal, visual, and widely recognized pandemic motifs are discussed. The pandemic, especially during lockdown periods, transformed the norms of dress, leading to a gradual shift toward comfort, simplicity, and functionality. The authors also analyze how “Covid fashion,” most notably through face masks and everyday objects, became the focus of museum curation and documentation. The final section discusses the virtual exhibition Clothing the Pandemic, which serves both an important record of the era and a meaningful cultural statement.