Creativity in COVID-19 Crisis

There’s no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic which seems to be our new normal has disrupted the world. Our dear creative and fashion industry is not left out of this disastrous disruption. I mean, the met gala had to be canceled this year because of this pandemic. The year 2020 is a shocker. However, what does it mean for the fashion industry? What does this mean for our magazines? If this becomes worse how would we thrive? The need for innovation is endless at this point. 

Notwithstanding, some people are still able to create during this period and we would highlight a few.

1) Naomi Campbell

Is it a coincidence that Essence Magazine and Naomi Campbell are turning 50 at the same time? Who else deserves to do the cover of Essence apart from Super-Duper model, Campbell? According to Essence, Campbell did her hair, own makeup and own styling before turning the lens on herself to do what would become the first-ever ESSENCE magazine cover shot entirely on an iPhone. Talk about being a supermodel with super skills.

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It was a very special honor and unusual experience for me to be able to shoot and style my own cover for Essence' 50th Anniversary Issue.on my I phone . While it was a sad reminder for me of all the people in media and production who are not able to work due to the coronavirus, it also brought me hope and encouragement to know that our people and our infrastructures are resilient. We are rooted in knowledge and creativity and continue to take back full control of our narratives. We will come out of this stronger than ever. Happy Anniversary @Essence magazine . As we both turn the century together ♥️🎂♥️🎂🎉🎉🎉🙏🏾 wearing : vintage @Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld

A post shared by Naomi Campbell (@naomi) on May 5, 2020 at 6:53am PDT

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#Repost @essence ・・・ On the eve of her 50th birthday, @Naomi covers our 50th Anniversary issue, shot by the icon herself with an iPhone while in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. “For fifty years, ESSENCE has showcased the brilliance, beauty, power and resilience of Black women. Now more than ever, we’re leaning into that very resilience during one of our nation’s darkest hours. In chaos, we still find peace. In uncertainty, we still find faith. In solitude, we still find each other. Bringing this issue to life in the midst of a global pandemic represents everything that Black women are and illustrates how we will continue to show up for them in the best and worst of times, as we have done for the past five decades.” – MoAna Luu, ESSENCE Chief Content & Creative Officer For more from our May/June 2020 50th Anniversary issue, tap the 🔗 in our bio. #ESSENCE50 Chief Content & Creative Officer: @Moanaluu Cover Star & Photographer: @naomi Cover Story by: @lolaogunnaike Creative Director: @nialawrence_nyc Entertainment Director: @corimurray wearing here young designer from Ghana @stevefrenchofficial_ @steviefrenchie one of my babies that will go to @gucci for 1 year for the Gucci design fellowship program ♥️🙏🏾 #naomiafrica🇷🇼

A post shared by Naomi Campbell (@naomi) on May 5, 2020 at 10:09am PDT

2) Bella Hadid

Bella Hadid and her vogue Italia team didn’t let the changing times stop them. They shot and styled an entire look via facetime. Tell me about fashion innovation, this is it. 

While sharing the post on Instagram, Bella Caption it as:

 “…New work for @vogueitalia shot and styled through FaceTime by my Quaranqueens @briannalcapozzi @haleywollens PRODUCTION/lighting by @Laurenperez 🖤Much love. feeling lucky to work.”

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Times are changing and working from home has a new meaning …. New work for @vogueitalia shot and styled through FaceTime by my Quaranqueens @briannalcapozzi @haleywollens PRODUCTION/lighting by @Laurenperez 🖤Much love . feeling lucky to work

A post shared by Bella 🦋 (@bellahadid) on Apr 10, 2020 at 4:58pm PDT

3) Kim Kardashian

Kim the Queen Slayer has been making rounds with her controversial line of underwear which was once called Kimono and received backlashes from the Asian community. Kimono now called Skims has amazing reviews and the Skims team is gearing up for the summer mesh release. Kim took to her Instagram to share snippets of the campaign shot by her on phone booth. Isn’t she just a delight?

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I shot this myself on photo booth — Coming soon: @SKIMS Summer Mesh — a collection of easy and effortless pieces made for warm weather. Available in 5 colors and in sizes XXS – 4X on Thursday, May 21 at 9AM PST / 12PM EST. Join the waitlist now at SKIMS.COM to receive early access to shop. #ShotByMe

A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on May 18, 2020 at 9:00am PDT

4) Vogue Netherlands, June 2020

This issue was produced in the first few weeks of lockdown in The Netherlands. It was put together by the team over countless video calls, WhatsApp messages, and phone conversations. The team for this shoot cover includes:

Photography: Ferry van der Nat; 

Styling: Jos van Heel & Dimphy den Otter; 

Models: Nikki Tissen, Ayesha Djwalapersad, Cato van Ee, Julie Hoomans, Bente Oort, Anna de Rijk, Nella Ngingo, Danielle van Grondelle, Yahaira Gezius.

Photograph: Condé Nast

Kudos to all the creatives. Nevertheless, this spikes a new conversation. Would the new normal be that models also have photography skills? How would it progress in the future? This is a conversation I can’t stop having with myself. What do you think?