2020-2021 the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic period on women's clothing design, procurement and purchasing habits of the fashion sector

It is possible to say that the Covid-19 pandemic, which is shown as one of the biggest destructions in the economy and health sector in the world, also causes great problems in the textile and fashion sector. In the research; the effects of the pandemic on the textile sector, 2020-2021 clothing fashion - color preferences, brand communication - fashion show presentations and purchasing habits of individuals during the pandemic process were evaluated. In the findings of the study; during the pandemic period, it has been observed that production and consumption systems have been questioned both individually and by companies in many sectors, especially the textile sector, and at the social level. In the first year, individuals eliminated those who are arbitrary in their spending and tended to shop more in line with their needs. The first 6 months of the pandemic in the textile sector were very difficult in terms of production, retail and export. In the following months, sales and export volume gained momentum compared to the same month of the previous year and entered an increasing trend until the second wave. With the second wave Covid-19 epidemic, the declines were shorter and at lower rates compared to the first 6 months of 2020. However, e-commerce and digital transformation gained momentum; brands tried to fill the gap of the closed retail stores by making campaigns and various discounts on online shopping platforms. The main result from most of the surveys and researches conducted during the pandemic period shows that more than half of the individuals shop online as of the pandemic. Looking at the seasons in 2020-2021 women's clothing fashion in general; While the 2020 Spring/Summer season, which was designed before the pandemic, came to the fore with more comfortable clothing products, in addition to the comfortable models in the 2020-2021 Autumn / Winter and 2021 Spring/Summer seasons designed during the pandemic period, the slowdown of the pandemic and the longing for the street resulted in a more stylish and street style. Appropriate trends have been adopted. In parallel with this result, it is possible to say that while the fabrics used in the designs were more sporty and flexible in the first season of the process, they gained a more diverse quality in the following seasons. In color preferences, generally vibrant colors are used; it is seen that the colors that make individuals feel cheerful, balanced and peaceful are reflected in the fashion weeks. Brands have made changes in communication with consumers during the pandemic process and have turned to digitalizing important communication channels such as fashion weeks and brand fashion shows. Presentations were made using sometimes film screenings or fashion show video recording, sometimes advertising campaign and sometimes completely digital 3D programs. Key Words: Fashion, Covid, Pandemic, Design, Procurement, Retail