Blog Post 2: Theme Reflection
After delving into the key themes within the Better Lives unit, which include, Sustainability, Diversity and Social Responsibility, I will change the way that I work in the future. Sustainable fashion is a movement and process which can take part in people’s lives every day from upcycling clothing, to reusing technology from the past or recycling general iteams. In terms of fashion it is vital that we promote change to fashion products and towards the fashion system. Together creators, artists and companies can promote a positive ecological change and focus on the social responsibility that each person has. Sustainable fashion requires more than just addressing fashion textiles or products; the fashion system must be looked at as a whole.
For the unit of Better Lives my chosen discipline is Fashion Photography during these first few lectures and speaking to the course leaders as well as guest lecturers, my personal views have been broadened. Within this course we have explored a number of practitioners who’s aims, and intentions all focus on different aspects. However, majority of these practitioners have made a prominent stance for obvious reasons. One artist, Leonor Von Salisch, originally from Amsterdam, is working as a visual storyteller and photographer for fashion labels who focus on sustainable and ethical aspects of their brands. Von Salisch, wants to be able to educate people and wants people to be more aware of the fact that every single piece they purchase can have a significant impact on the fashion industry (Leonor Von Salisch: Photography and Sustainable Fashion – Impakter, 2020). Statistically, it takes 2,700 Litres of water to make one T-Shirt; This is equivalent to what an average adult consumes over three years.
Therefore, through her work she wants to present ethical styling throughout the photographs she takes as well as merge editorials into a meaningful creation; in a conscious protest against the current season or collection driven by the fashion industry, which shapes our consumer behaviour and is gradually destroying our planet.
Social Responsibility within fashion also responds to the numerous workers that are put under pressure behind the scenes when making and putting together these garments and clothing for the industry. Workers, from the farmers that grow the fabrics to the garment workers stitching pieces together; need to be taken care of. Being an influential industry, we need to find more healthy, sustainable ways of provided working conditions for these workers. The industry also plays an important role throughout all of this and through innovation; designers will need to develop different kinds of alternative materials; distinctive yarns should be developed as an alternative to cotton, which is very exhausting for the environment.
As a 3D Effects student learning about various different practitioners who have adapted to more sustainable and ethical ways of working; this has had a significant impact on the way that I will be working in the future with my projects, the way that I make and produce art, along with everyday iteams. Buying from sustainable brands, Vintage or Upcycling brands.
Impakter. 2020. Leonor Von Salisch: Photography And Sustainable Fashion – Impakter. [online] Available at: <https://impakter.com/leonor-von-salisch/> (Accessed 16 April 2020).