Blog 1- Reflection on Lectures
After attending lectures based on areas of fashion that I have always been aware of, but never looked too far into, I feel far more knowledgeable; the effects it has on our environment, changes that will need to be made in order to sustain the industry but also attitudes and actions of people involved, both positive and negative (being empathetic and coming up with technology that helps us evolve and develop in some areas but also sets us back in others).
Upon reflection, I have found that most of the lectures come back to the point of sustainability. Nearly everything within the fashion industry has an impact on the environment and generally maintaining equilibrium culturally, economically, ecologically and politically. I think the Culture lecture encapsulated the importance of sustainability to uphold the idea of better lives. Anna Fitzpatrick discussed how cultural practices and skills have been lost through mass consumption of fashion as heritage and storytelling through clothes is no longer as common as pieces are less unique. Instead, cultural appropriation, power imbalance and exploitation are a result of fast fashion (for instance). The people high up within the industry are ‘pale, male and stale’ and in just four days, they earn the same amount as a garment worker does in their lifetime- a single, prime example of inequality. As addressed by McNeil in 2000, the system of production and consumption is clearly failing as we have mass waste due to the fashion industry and, if successful, this shouldn’t be a problem. Technology seems to have potential to help with the problem of mass waste.
Nick Almond touched on the benefits of Blockchain and AIs in the Emerging Technology lecture. Blockchain can be used to trade second hand clothes in a transparent way which I think seem like an attractive method. Many people are disinterested in the idea of charity shopping due to not knowing where the clothes have come from, however the second-hand clothing market that Blockchain has potential for, means that consumers are able to see where and who the clothes have come from along with its entire history. AIs are able to predict fashion trends by spotting patterns, they can also allow people to virtually try on garments before purchasing. All of these uses can result in less waste by recycling fashion and allowing people to buy clothes that they can be sure will suit them, and the industry can predict trends that they are more certain to be successful rather than experimenting. Paynter Jackets is a sustainable clothing brand that only make jackets once a certain amount of people have bought them rather than making an unnecessary abundance that would go to waste.
Overall, after reflecting on the lectures I have realised that sustainability is exceedingly imperative in order to maintain a healthy planet, avoid problems such as exploitation and not lose cultural identity.