Better Lives Blog 1 – Lecture 4 : Inclusion Laura J Salisbury
Inclusivity has been introduced into many industry in many forms of media and design. It is very important in our society to appreciate diversity by supporting inclusivity. All human are unique and beautiful. Understanding this concept will lead to living in this planet together in harmony and preserve to the next generation. Which it is the heart of Better Lives unit. Fashion and beauty industry is also working very hard on inclusivity in the past years. However, listening to Inclusion lecture by Laura J Salisbury has changed my perspective toward the term of ‘inclusion’. The lecture gave me more in depth into a specific area. Different from when I saw an advertisement for a foundation lines that claimed to be offered to all skin tone with an attachment to the concept of inclusion. I had come to the realisation that my understanding of inclusion was only just at the surface level.
Laura J Salisbury works on the design of garments for people with disability — those who are suffer with stroke. She shared many new technology in garments for people with disability such as Aura Powersuit and SoundShirt. As well as thinking process when design a garment. British Standards has stated in 2005 that inclusive design is “The design of mainstream products and/or services that are accessible to, and usable by, as many people as reasonably possible…without the need for special adaptation or specialised design”. Salisbury mentioned that there are these important factors when considering about inclusivity in design to meet the statement. Which are functionality, materiality and visualisation. This part of the lecture interest me the most. As it has shaped my perspective to inclusion in another way. She discussed about the design of some existing products that are too outstanding and may label the user to be different from the other. This reminds me of Sinéad Burke’s interview with The Guardian that “Many people cannot get dresses on or off with independence. Clearly, they were designed by a person who did not wear them.” ( S.Burke, 2019). Salisbury suggested in her lecture that designer should use ‘real people’ not ‘imaginary people’ when designers work on the garments.
Salisbury continued her lecture with adaptive clothing and the way it is presented. Tommy Hilfiger describes the products with ‘merely for show’ and ‘feel normal’. This is questionable that why we have to differentiate people with disabilities to be ‘not normal’? I found this point is very challenging to me as a fashion media student. To be working with designers carefully and translate an appropriate message to audiences. To bring the true sense inclusion into the society.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/may/16/i-want-to-tilt-the-lens-sinead-burkes-fight-to-make-fashion-more-diverse Accessed: 25/02/2020.