The menswear shows may have moved to Paris, yet the attention of the general public last night wasn't certainly on fashion, but was focused on what was going on in London.
British Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a historic defeat when MPs rejected her Brexit plan voting against it by 432 to 202 (118 Conservative rebels joined Labour MPs in the vote). In the meantime, Leave and Remain supporters gathered outside Westminster in Parliament Square, their banners, slogans, colourful accessories and flags supporting the UK or EU contributing to the atmosphere of theatrical chaos.
Yet the devastating verdict doesn't shed a light on what will happen next: the UK is scheduled to leave the EU on March 29 with or without a deal, but, while Brexiters keep on talking about honouring the results of the referendum even with a catastrophic no deal, the opinion of the general public may have changed with many asking for a second referendum.
Many representatives of the fashion industry spoke against Brexit from the early days of the 2016 referendum, as they know that it would have an impact on imports and on talents working at all levels of the industry.
In a way Brexit has already been having an impact on the economy of the country as it has left it suspended in a climate of uncertainty, contributing to the crisis of some sectors. Retailers for example are already suffering from online competition and the value of the pound that has been on a rollercoaster ride for the last two years. In the meantime also small companies based outside of the UK are suffering from this uncertainty: Europe-based Amazon vendors (and that includes small independent entities as well) are seeing themselves cut off from the UK marketplace for not owning a British VAT number, even when the registration threshold for distance-selling into the UK is £70,000 (so, why is that happening? Is Amazon confused about Brexit? Well, we all are after all...)
The British Fashion Council (BFC) expressed its support for remaining in the EU since the very beginning and today it issued a statement highlighting once again the fact that a no deal would have a disastrous impact on the fashion industry (materials would have to be imported and would be more expensive or they may even get stuck at customs as freedom of movement and trade guaranteed by EU membership wouldn't exist anymore).
In an official communication issued today the BFC stated that a No Deal Brexit is a scenario that should be avoided at all costs, explaining,"The ongoing uncertainty and confusion that a no deal creates will have a negative impact on our industry, where investment is already impacted from the uncertainty being faced. A no deal situation will result in no transition period, and with an industry that is predominantly SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), we would struggle to cope with the trade realities that it would bring."
The British Fashion Council is backing a call for The People’s Vote, a cross-party group including some MPs, currently demanding a new referendum on Britain's potential exit from the European Union (as you may remember, last year Julian Dunkerton, multimillionaire and founder of the popular brand Superdry, donated £1m to the campaign).
The saga continues as Theresa May faced a vote of no confidence today and survived it, so she will speak to the MPs and probably return to Brussels for further changes before putting a deal before Parliament again. So for the time being there is not much to do apart from showing your disapproval and protest in a fashionable way: you can do so with Vivienne Westwood EU/UK flag heels, or via T-shirts by various designers, including artist Jeremy Deller who added the magic words "F*ck Brexit" to well-known phrases or brands, coming up with hybrids such as "John& Paul& George& Fuck Brexit" or "Comme des Fuck Brexit" for the discerning fashionista, and legendary slogan T-shirt designer Katharine Hamnett, who has created "Cancel Brexit" and "Second Referendum" shirts. What's to come Brexit-wise? A new deal along the lines of the Norwegian model with the UK retaining access to the EU’s single market and freedom of movement? A second referendum? Who knows. But at least you know what to wear as the never-ending saga continues...
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