VILNIUS, LITHUANIA — With persisting lockdown measures around the world, video call communication has become the “new normal” for business meetings. The new “video call culture” is pushing remotely working professionals to search for outfits that would suit both the casual setting and fit business attire standards.
As many have chosen to simply lower the dress-code standards, fashion project “Zoomer” co-founders believe fashion should not be compromised. They have come up with a clever way to dress up one essential clothing item—a video call-appropriate interactive jumper.
The jersey knit pullover, unofficially named “Zoomer,” comes in 5 different colours and may be customized with a designer miniature. As a sustainable option, the garment may be used in a number of video-related situations: business meetings, conferences, virtual dates, parties and more.
Since many at-home workers are planning to carry on with the remote work even after the pandemic, Guoda Sakalauskienė, one of the pullover’s creators and a personal branding consultant, said the “Zoomer” has a dual function: a solution for the virtual dress code and a personal branding statement.
“As video calls have become the new normal for many of us, we wanted to bring some colour into the work-at-home clothing which would reflect different moods and situations. Of course, it goes without saying that it is still important to look good on a computer, mobile phone, or television screen, without compromising the comfort,” said G. Sakalauskienė. “Whether in real life or online, first impressions matter and “Zoomer” helps to make that meeting memorable thanks to a wide range of possible transformations.”
Viktorija Bugajenko, the other creator behind “Zoomer”, owner of “Zefyras,” a fashion and design studio, believes the pullover is a statement in favor of sustainability.
“I have a strong belief that fashion sustainability can be achieved by simply owning less clothing. The latest global fashion tendencies echo this, with hashtag #OOOTD (Old Outfit of the Day—in reference to wearing the same outfit every day) trending among the sustainable fashion activists. “Zoomer” contributes to our vision for sustainable clothing because it can be worn day after day, without compromising fashion or professional look,” added V. Bugajenko. “The pullover can be dressed up or down, easily mixed with other items in your wardrobe, making it easy to wear in all virtual meetings and to change looks by accessorizing, putting on the detachable hood, or throwing a jacket on.”
The proceeds from the sale of the first 20 “Zoomers” and 10% from any subsequent sale will go to a local charity supporting families in crisis. The initial bulk sum will support women in need of feminine hygiene products. In turn, the project has garnered support by local and international brands, among them— Gentle Day, an international network of hygiene products also designed in Lithuania.
“Initiatives like this encourage long-term impact on the environment as well as consumer habits,” said Vilmantė Markevičienė, founder of Gentle Day. “By supporting the project, we hope to empower more women creators and entrepreneurs to collaborate and conceive other impactful ideas.”
“Zoomer” is the first collaboration between the designer and the entrepreneur, with similar projects to follow in the future. With fashion moving towards more sustainable options and remote work staying here for the time being, interactive clothing might become a powerful outlet for self-expression and environmental consciousness.
