Post 2
In particular, the Better Lives theme of sustainability is of the utmost importance to me. One lecture that I attended which discussed this was Katie Fletcher’s Nature, during which she brought to light the disconnect between humans, most of whom are consumers to some extent, and nature. Fletcher explained in depth, utilizing her historical and scientific knowledge, how the fashion industry contributes to this disconnect and explored ways in which to regain an appreciation for the natural world. Linking this to the journalistic work that I will create both now and in the future it will be of the utmost importance for me to explore stories that discuss sustainability in some way. As a journalist I have the power to inform the public about issues regarding the fashion industry and its place in a decreasingly sustainable world.
However, my group for fashion activism was allocated the brand Nubian Skin, to which the main value is diversity. Linking this back to Teleica Kirkland’s lecture on Representation which stood out to me so much, I am reminded of the discussion she created around harmful innate judgements made by every individual everyday due to a plethora of misrepresentation in the media. Her lecture focussed majorly on race, in particular black representation and how the media reflects a perceived notion of Eurocentric values. With a brand such as Nubian Skin, where the objective is to include people of all racial tones that are often excluded from mainstream ‘nude’ undergarments, Eurocentric values are disregarded and true, natural, colourful human appearance is embraced. The brand also focuses on representing people of all shapes and sizes; they do not promote the traditional values of beauty that the media portrays, but inclusive, diverse, real ones instead.
Also, Kirkland brought to light many varying ideas about race and culture that brought me to think about my own place in society as mixed race person rather than a strictly black or a white person. I think that my background has in some ways given me a unique cultural capital that I can utilize to inform my practice in regard to the Better Lives theme of Diversity.
In attending my Fashion Activism sessions, I have recognized ways in which I am able to be more aware of diversity in my work. For example, choosing to report on culturally and physically diverse brands such as Nubian Skin rather than brands that promote unattainable ideas of beauty such as Victoria’s Secret can create awareness and exposure for the brand, leading to a more mainstream presence of diversity in the media. As a journalist I have the power to do that. Also, to write for magazines, websites, newspapers that genuinely support diversity. In the future, I plan to take the Better Lives themes into my work to the best of my ability as these themes are massively important in creating an industry that promotes good, and can be a place in which I feel good about working.