This horrendous virus has confined most people to their homes against their will which is likely to be a strange concept to non-disabled people — but one that’s familiar to nearly all of us with disabilities. Disabled people face a daily crisis just by the mere fact we are disabled, which often passes the gaze of our non-disabled counterparts.

Technological advances, aimed specifically at mitigating virus transmission during a pandemic, have been the focus of many diverse industries — the fashion industry isn’t usually considered to be part of this group of innovators. But in reality there exist a number of companies and material science projects that are putting fashion firmly on the map.

TipStart is a new digital platform taking on privilege, nepotism and barriers to equal opportunity, to help people realise their ambitions. It aims to challenge the power of privilege in employment by matching experienced professionals with those who cannot rely on their existing networks or background to break into historically privileged professions.

This week’s updated government resources- including information on funding for people on low incomes who need to self-isolate. Plus guidance on commuting and car sharing.

Eight million tonnes of plastic waste go into our oceans every year. Even worse, it is expected that by 2050, there will be more plastic by weight than fish in the oceans. And this was before the COVID-19 crisis.

Home to the showrooms and studios of internationally acclaimed couturiers, Beirut has long earned its place on the global style map. But the capital is now facing its third successive crisis this year, following the devastating explosion in the city’s port. Can the ongoing relief efforts help its culturally celebrated fashion industry to thrive once more?

One of the biggest assets we have in the creative industry is our Intellectual Property (IP). But according to UAL’s Creative and Cultural IP Rights Specialist, fashion is copied all too often due to its subjective nature. So how can we manage and protect our IP?

“Since the pandemic began, I’ve seen a fairly even split of creative energy. Some have totally immersed themselves, whilst many of us have felt particularly restless and claustrophobic, without a clear road or plan ahead.” Here Meg Pirie shares how she has learnt to reignite her creativity post-lockdown.

Despite its promising title, viewers are offered a very limited glimpse inside Missguided’s supply chain in a PR-friendly documentary that is riddled with faux empowerment and white feminism, says Melissa Watt

This week’s updated government resources- including guidance about the close contact services (hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, tattooists, sports and massage therapists, dress fitters, tailors and fashion designers) which reopened in England on 15 August.

Despite initial fears that Covid-19 would kill people’s desire to share their wardrobes, rental fashion sites are now thriving. My Wardrobe HQ, in particular, has seen a 50% increase in their listings since the start of lockdown. So how has the rental fashion model survived the pandemic and why is the sharing economy needed now, more than ever?

What once began in the 1920’s as a mini capsule wardrobe for those looking to catch some winter sun or revel in a quick getaway have snowballed into a whole new life form. But is the lavish production of cruise collections furthering fashion’s sustainability narrative? We weigh in on the waning relevance of cruise collections, their digitalisation and how they will survive a new state of play in fashion…

A Q&A with four of the incredibly talented graduates who participated in our “Radical Sustainabilities” event — they explain the motivations behind their Final Masters Projects, their inspirations and how they believe the pandemic will shape sustainability in the fashion industry moving forwards.

Depop has captured the hearts of the ‘Instagram generation’, seeing a 200% increase in traffic since April. But the app hailed as a sustainable way to shop may be inadvertently fuelling our desire for new. Depop closely imitates the fast fashion cycle where users can shop from a constant flow of cheap new arrivals, many of which are barely worn.

On Thursday evening, Fashion Roundtable and four graduates of the MA Fashion Futures at London College of Fashion came together to discuss their work and launch individual portfolios during an online event.

No drama, just Klarna? Right now, the Buy Now Pay Later bank is making waves, with slick advertising and seamless checkout processes that are almost too easy and don’t come with all the usual amounts of small print text. Klarna Bank AB was found to be offering not just zero-interest deals but formal credit agreements on shopping purchases as low as £35.

In a world where embroidery is deemed a superficial expression of femininity and has been removed from the school curriculum, mass-manufacture supply chains rely on a female-centric workforce— to the point where employers have exerted control over women’s reproductive health. Meg Pirie analyses the contradictions of gender within fashion and textiles.

Tamara Cincik discusses the pressures facing women during the pandemic. Many are bearing the brunt of household duties and homeschooling: “What does this tell us about how we are valued as women both in the home, in the workplace and in society in 2020?”

Now we are easing out of lockdown and into a new normal, the tide must change for everyone to rest and regroup from the last few months and pause. Before Fashion Roundtable turns off its audio, this week’s topic was one of the most important of all— ARE YOU REPRESENTED?