JD Institute of Fashion Technology
Why Post-COVID Sci-Fi Styling Is a Masterclass for Aspiring Stylists

Sci-fi shows jumped 200% in viewership during the pandemic. People weren’t just escaping — they were looking for reflections of their fears, survival, and hope. And with that shift, costume styling wasn’t just visual candy anymore — it became a language.

That’s why Styling for Sci-Fi Shows in a Post-COVID World is a concept every fashion styling student must study now.

For any student diving into a fashion styling course — like the one offered by JD Institute of Fashion Technology — understanding this trend isn’t just “cool,” it’s absolutely essential. Post-COVID narratives in sci-fi aren’t just stories anymore. They’re reflections of collective trauma, survival, and imagination, all woven into fabric.

Biohazard but Make It Fashion

The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t just change how we live; it completely reshaped what “future” fashion might look like on-screen. From hazmat suits to protective gear with an edge, post-COVID sci-fi shows like The Last of Us and Station Eleven are using real-world influence to style characters who live in broken, bio-threatened worlds.

Startup inspiration: Vollebak – This UK-based brand creates clothing designed for extreme futures — including a 100-Year Hoodie and Full Metal Jacket resistant to viruses and radiation. While not designed for the runway, their aesthetic has inspired many dystopian TV show stylists.

Aspiring fashion stylists should learn to read the room or in this case, the world and the current affairs.

Costumes That Talk Back

Gone are the days of flashy sci-fi suits with blinking lights. Post-pandemic storytelling leans toward minimal, utilitarian, and emotionally loaded clothing. Think Black Mirror episodes or 3 Body Problem. Costumes are now coded with messages — a scarf could signal allegiance, a boot style could hint at rebellion, and a color might represent political suppression.

Startup spotlight: PANGAIA – With a science-meets-style approach, PANGAIA’s eco-friendly fabrics and minimalist vibe often inspire stylists working on subtle but powerful dystopian wardrobes.

Fashion stylists now need to go beyond the surface — learning to “speak” through fabric. That’s where the middle modules of JD Institute’s Fashion Styling course really help — you’re taught how to build narratives with clothes.

Dystopia Doesn’t Do Polyester

The post-COVID world pushed everyone, including sci-fi creators to rethink the planet. Sustainability isn’t a subplot anymore; it’s the costume department’s main mission. Many future-forward shows are now building wardrobes from recycled, tech-embedded, and adaptive clothing.

Startup to note: Spiber – A Japanese company crafting lab-grown spider silk and other biomaterials now being explored by stylists working on eco-conscious sci-fi concepts.

This is where fashion styling becomes part science, part storytelling. Stylists are not just picking clothes; they’re picking values. Knowing about fabric tech, future textiles, and ethical styling is no longer optional — it’s expected. 

Styling Characters Who Survive, Fight, and Rebuild

One of the biggest shifts post-COVID? Characters aren’t styled to look cool — they’re styled to feel real. From worn-in jackets in The Mandalorian to multipurpose gear in The Peripheral, costuming now leans heavily into survival-mode meets sleek utility.

Startup case: ACRONYM – The Berlin-based label mixes high-performance utility wear with sleek silhouettes and has been an unofficial go-to for stylists looking to dress warrior-type characters with a modern, survivalist twist.

For any student wanting to style for film, TV, or even fashion editorials inspired by speculative fiction, this is the moment. You’re not just dressing characters; you’re building worlds.

Ready to style the future, one layered cape at a time?

Dystopia might look weird, but your styling career doesn’t have to. If you want to be the kind of fashion stylist who can design wardrobes for rebels, robots, and survivors and do it with meaning — JD Institute is where your journey begins. After all, the future of fashion isn’t just about trends. It’s about telling better stories. And no better time than now to start crafting yours.