Blog 2: How will the Better Lives themes change my future work?
As a hair and makeup for fashion student, the themes of the Better Lives lectures has awakened the way that I should approach my work and practices currently and in the future.
There was a point that sparked my interest from the ‘Introduction to Diversity’ lecture, by Shahidha Bari. The idea of diversity not only being about representation within the industry, but the literal diversity of a product or garment, in terms of diverse humans producing the product and the concerns of exploitation that surround the matter. Perhaps I hadn’t really considered where my products are coming from and the large range of people who are involved. From the very beginning to the very end of a product or garments lifespan, it is coming into contact with diverse people and places around the world. From the initial production, to shipping and to selling of that product, there is a journey that we must be aware of.
I watched a three-part documentary on BBC called, ‘Beauty Laid Bare’ which investigates the beauty industry in depth. I learnt that an even playing field for workers in such a huge industry can be difficult to achieve. The rich and powerful at the peak of the industry means so many are left short-changed and exploited at the bottom. As a hair and makeup student and hoping to stay apart of this industry in the future, I feel a responsibility to challenge this. Feasibly, it seems that not much can be done as a student to change this huge and deep-rooted issue within the industry, but from what I have learnt from the Better Lives lectures is that effective changes, even if they are small, can eventually make a difference.
This is why I have been thinking about my own work and what I can do to raise awareness on the topic of exploitation of workers within the industry. I’ve been thinking about collaboration with people with the same purpose to have a larger reach. I also think that I can make a change by ensuring my hair and makeup kits are filled with products that contain ethically sourced ingredients, perhaps made in the UK. This is to try and reduce the risk of workers in third world countries being exploited to make products in dangerous conditions, with a low wage for vigorous long hours. I think that taking the step to support or work with ethical fashion and beauty brands will encourage the fair treatment of workers and aim to eliminate exploitation as much as possible.
My chosen project for Better Lives is Messaging Fashion. We have been looking at PR and brand values in the first few sessions, understanding how different brands can work for a particular cause as they have such social responsibility. Think links in with how I believe I should adjust my way of working. I should be more aware of the brands I use and promote and also know that I have a social responsibility to do so.
References:
Shahidha Bari (2020) ‘Introduction to Diversity’ [Lecture]. Better Lives. London College of Fashion. 10 February
Beauty Laid Bare (2020) BBC Three, 2 February. Available at: BBC iPlayer (Accessed: 10th April 2020)