Restrictive social distancing measures and an increase in remote working have seen the spaces for sartorial self-expression shift from public to private. In the post-pandemic era, how might people use clothing to define their identities, and what kinds of garments will they come to cherish?

Physical appearance is just one of several factors that influence an individual’s self-identity, with their ethnic heritage, personal values, and societal status all playing a part. Canvas8 polled 1,000 Britons and spoke to eight people to understand how they would characterise themselves.

High-end fashion brands have generally not performed as well as fast fashion on transparency rankings. With exclusivity and a sense of mystique among the segment’s unique selling points, luxury labels have long been more comfortable with opacity. But could consumer pressure force a change?

With fashion in flux, people are looking for alternative leaders to initiate meaningful change. Bethany Williams’ approach, which goes beyond sustainable fabrics to encompass social enterprise, is a lesson for all sectors in how to create a truly human brand for the pandemic age.