The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly reconfigured the world as we know it – and a mental health crisis could be waiting in its aftermath. Canvas8 spoke to Staci K. Haines, the author of The Politics of Trauma, to understand how the outbreak is set to challenge and change our emotional wellbeing.

With hygiene a growing concern, brands are having to adapt, from hotels performing ‘safety theatre’ to retailers getting creative with in-store design. In the fashion space, a number of brands are releasing clothes made with virus-fighting textiles, hinting at a future where fashion and hygiene merge.

The concept of ‘defensive dressing’ might once have evoked images of Kelvar vests or plate armour, but in 2020, protective apparel and accessories have become commonplace as people look to minimise their exposure to COVID-19. How is a desire to stay healthy and safe impacting style choices?

Fashion brands in the US are using their production lines to help fill the facial mask shortage faced by healthcare providers on the coronavirus frontline. As trust in the government wavers and people look for reassurance, brands are stepping in to assuage fears and offer support.