Following the news that London-based designer ASAI has been forced to cancel his upcoming AW20 LFW show due to the widespread illness, it has now been revealed that Shanghai Fashion Week will also be postponed in light of the ongoing coronavirus epidemic.

Meant to kick off on March 26, the occasion is one of China’s biggest fashion events, with the organisation making the announcement via the Chinese social media platform WeChat yesterday. 

“We hope that everyone will stay vigilant and pay attention to the government’s advice,” said Lv Xiaolei, Shanghai Fashion Week’s vice secretary-general. “The organisation will focus on keeping up trade, communicating with all parties, and finding a solution to the situation.” 

China’s other major fashion event, China Fashion Week, which is slated to begin on March 25 in Beijing, has not made an official announcement regarding its intentions to postpone or cancel the event, but is expected to do so soon.  

With both Tommy Hilfiger and Prada holding shows in Shanghai over the course of the last couple of years, many global luxury brands have been looking to China for business as a result of increasing consumer demand from that area of the world. Burberry is also set to hold its AW20 show there in April, after showing at LFW next week.

With the coronavirus an ongoing concern, it seems likely that its impact will continue to be felt throughout the fashion industry. Some global luxury brands, including Coach and Michael Kors, have said to be “bracing themselves for a steep drop in Chinese sales,” according to the Business of Fashion. Elsewhere labels including Nike, adidas, and Versace have also voiced similar concerns surrounding the disease, warning investors of a potential drop in sales. 

The rescheduled date for Shanghai Fashion Week has not been revealed. 

Revisit Asai's AW19 collection below.