Blog 1 Mhari Tyler
Since this unit has started, I have been forced to view fashion through varying different platforms and contexts. The most memorable lecture was Power by Julia Crew. Her presentation made me think not only of the power we hold as consumer, but the power consumers hold over the fashion industry. Change is undeniably needed within fashion but as shown through Crews presentation there are many powerful infrastructures within the industry that must all make a shift in focus together in order to create cohesive change, whether this be through consumer protests, boycotts or huge fashion conglomerates actually becoming sustainable. Extinction Rebellion [1] has said “there is no fashion on a dead planet” which I think puts into perspective the sincerity of the world crisis that is sustainability. Many consumers have boycotted brands that are not taking action to join this cause and, in some cases, (Ivanka Trumps’ clothing line for example) this has caused brands to cease production and further down the line close down completely. In other cases, the boycotting can lead to drastic change within the company’s core. I think power is also subjective to the perceiver, you may have the illusion of power but using it in ways that are simple and egotistical. Every single person has the power within them to create change but in order for the change to occur people must come together and use a combined force to overcome the seemingly “powerful” at the top of the branch.
As fashion students, clothing is an essential part of our day to day lives, our personalities as well as our craft. If any one could kickstart the change that is needed to turn the worlds attitude to sustainable fashion, it would be this generation of fashion students. With current issues such as the Coronavirus, air pollution in production provinces of China [2] have decreased, if we can use this global epidemic to our advantage and fully reinvent societal norms whether that be through sustainable fashion, hygiene or safe working environments. The better lives lectures have fully influenced my view on the fashion industry as I previously was under the impression the conglomerates were the only ones at fault in the system but it is apparent to me now that even down to the everyday consumer we are all at fault unless we make conscious decisions to combat the issues raised. It is also clear to me that altering the way we use the fashion industry is not going to be easy and there are a lot of company’s still abusing workers and the environment and we need to all make changes to our interaction with fashion, whether that be through boycotting, shopping second hand or even learning to source materials responsibly, in order to save this planet.
[1} Press, Clare (1 Oct 2019) Wardrobe Crisis; Extinction rebellion [Podcast 97]. Tuesday, October 1, 2019 10:51 PM. Available at: https://www.clarepress.com/podcast/2019/9/29/podcast-97-extinction-rebellion-is-it-time-we-tore-the-whole-thing-down(Accessed: 28 March 2020).
[2] Watts Jonathan (23 Mar 2020) Coronavirus pandemic leading to huge drop in air pollution. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/23/coronavirus-pandemic-leading-to-huge-drop-in-air-pollution (Accessed: 28 Mar 2020).
7th May 2020 @ 12:51 am
It was exciting and refreshing to read other blog posts addressing the Better Lives themes. Through these blog posts, a great number of fashion students demonstrated a high level of learning and previous knowledge about the main topics discussed throughout this unit. Nevertheless, Mhari’s Tyler blog post 1 stood out the most to me, because I agree with many of the ideas pointed out by her.
I found some similarities in our learning journey. One of them being, when she makes reference to Power, a lecture taught by Julia Crew, and how it was memorable for her because “ …her presentation made me think not only of the power we hold as a consumer, but the power consumers hold over the fashion industry.” It reminded me of how I acknowledged in my blog post 1, the positive effect Anna Fitzpatrick’s lecture on Sustainability and Culture had on me. Similarly to Power, Fitzpatrick’s lecture taught me that I tend to take my power as a buyer for granted, therefore I should be more cautious of how I use it. I imagine I can say, although the lectures were taught by different professionals, the concepts of sustainability, diversity and social responsibility were always present.
All through the blog post, she reinforced the need for a change in the world of fashion- I agree. Boycotting conglomerate brands seems to be a dangerous and rude manner to deal with the crisis in fashion, yet Mhari Tyler is right, is essential and in some cases effective, if we want to see a real change. In order to understand the seriousness of the situation Mhari Tyler, mentioned Extinction Rebellion alongside the Ivanka Trump clothing line which was forced to close down due to obvious reasons. I wasn’t aware this happened and probably wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t come across this blog post.
Despite the fact, it might seem she didn’t express her thoughts on diversity and social responsibility, these two themes were camouflaged in her words. In regard to social responsibility, I think is clear that she focused more on how fashion consumers and brands should take responsibility for how much buy and produce, and how in the present climate (COVID-19) fashion students have the opportunity to transform the fashion industry.
This blog post reflected beautifully the writer’s learning journey, while allowing me to absorb her words and learn from her. It makes me immensely happy to see the Better Lives Unit is having this positive impact on people. To witness how students, like me and Mhari are willing to help changing this industry, starting by altering small routines in our personal lives ( i.e buying more second products) but we are not the only ones ; just like Mhari emphasised “Every single person has the power within them to create a change but in order for the change to occur people must come together.”