Vitoria Mota and Swann Guerrault by Lise Anne Marsal for Madame Figaro March 5th 2021 (5).jpg

Madame Figaro’s March 5 issue is putting workwear on its fashion-to-have list, and the idea is intriguing. As COVID-19 retreats — assuming that a global immunization project can be executed with America actually engaging again with the world community — non-digital economic activity again returns to life.

Remembering that this is a fashion story designed to persuade us to buy stuff, Madame Figaro writes:

“The season's flagship trend, utilitarian clothing goes hand in hand with extra raw gems. In a vintage universe, silver chains, rings and XXL watches are worn over denim and overalls. Spotlight on these new emblems of the masculine-feminine. ”

Sylvie Clement styles models Vitoria Mota and Swann Guerrault in a former Parisian workshop for images by Lise-Anne Marsal [IG]. Titled ‘Working Classe’, the fashion story features Balenciaga, Burton of London, Chloé, Dior, Kenzo, Lemaire, Marni, Polo Raph Lauren, Stella McCartney, The Kooples, Tod’s, Y’s and more. / Hair by Javier Palacio; makeup by Vera Dierclx

Vitoria Mota and Swann Guerrault by Lise Anne Marsal for Madame Figaro March 5th 2021 (10).jpg

Genuine Respect for Workers in a Biden Administration

In America, we suddenly have the idea of who is an essential worker — a concept filled with hypocrisy, frankly — but there is a possibility that respect for workers will increase among large numbers of Americans coming out of seclusion.

Workers are very much at the center of a new Biden administration, advanced also by the reality that Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren are at the table with Sen. Joe Manchin , trying to hammer out government legislation that works for all Americans, not only the elites.

Bernie, in particular, has been awesome in rolling up his own sleeves to work and produce legislation, not just criticize those around him. Bernie has not been my favorite person, and now he’s at the top of my good humans list.

Reality is, however, that without a massive retraining program for American workers, the 50s are not returning to create an American middle class. Automation is nipping at our heels and especially among industries like fast food that employ many lower-income workers. The march to a $15 minimum wafe will only accelerate that trend. It just will.

AOC supports the $15 minimum wage, but pretending that automation isn’t right around the corner ready to eliminate those jobs reflects not dealing with the problem at hand — which is lack of a 21st-century, educated workforce.

Vitoria Mota and Swann Guerrault by Lise Anne Marsal for Madame Figaro March 5th 2021 (11).jpg

Mackenzie Scott Upends the World of Philanthropy

Even though the esteemed Li Edelkoort is speaking about the return to the roaring twenties, also nicknamed the Jazz Age, we should remember that 10 years later we saw the collapse of the stock market and a deep recession in America and unemployment that was mind-boggling. We will be right back to the current food lines.

In my own trend-forecasting days, this reference point — the roaring twenties — would not be operating in my vocab — or humans really don’t learn anything from experience.

Experiencing JOY — yes. Inspired by color, passion and art? Yes. A surge of creativity? Yes. But a replay of the roaring twenties? Not on my trend boards. And I bow down to Li Edelkort, which whom I met reguarly for years.

I’m more impacted this week that Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife MacKenzie Scott is upending the world of philanthropy with her approach to giving and — equally important — that she just remarried. Scott, one ot the richest people on Planet Earth, just married high school teacher Dan Jewett, who will be focused on working with Scott in giving away “their” billions.

The excellent Madame Figaro fashion story ‘Working Class’ prompts my thinking in major ways about the intersection of fashion workers. With a minimum of five more key points to make, it’s best to stop now. ~ Anne