Blog 2: Reflections on how the Better Lives themes might change how you work in the future
Better Lives themes have shaped my perspective towards fashion media and communication in a better mindful way. The themes remind me to be responsible to the society and the planet. Sustainability, Diversity and Social Responsibility are necessary to be considered when carrying out any communication through any type of media.
The theme that is remarkable to me the most is diversity. I had an in-depth lecture about the topic by Laura J Salisbury which has left me with many question towards the society. As well as interest to be working with the topic of diversity. Days later I saw many wonderful fashion imageries that carry diversity value within it. It is absolutely a good sign for this generation to develop into a better environment of respect and appreciation of differences. However, later in a few months Covid-19 had caused the global pandemic situations. Instead of showing care and be aware of the situation. I have seen many xenophobic behaviour towards asian people. It has happened seriously both on the internet and in real life. During the time in London I have fear to get on to the public transport and wearing face mask. While at the airport to catch the home, I saw a family with their child whispered to her parents “Is she gonna cough?” While look at me. They did not aware that the virus is not carrying in a particular race.
What I have experience during this crisis is that we have not done enough work to truly promote diversity to understand each other identities. Fashion is the reflection of human beings’ culture, background, and attitudes. The campaign put out from the fashion industry has not reach the majority yet. It is very sad and upsetting that people appreciate the action of promoting diversity by big brands and businesses. But the action and attitudes still remain with hate and misunderstandings. As an asian fashion media and communication student. I would like to be the voice and represent this fact by my creative work. In the future, I will work with variety of models who represents each of the context best. Which I believe this should be a norm in everyone’s working practice rather than to ‘ticking the boxes’. I will be consider the medium carefully to make sure that everybody in the society see diversity enough to realise that it is a norm. Because I feel that being ourselves in the most common and natural thing. Understanding that each other has different races and background should be something without any question too.
11th May 2020 @ 2:55 am
I have read a couple of blog post that was published by my peers about their experience of Better Lives unit. I was really interested and sometimes even surprised by people’s opinions and perspectives. And for my peer review task, I decided to choose Cha- Arbha Jarusombat’s blog about how Better Lives themes might change her work in the future. I have chosen her blog mostly because I do agree with her main points, but also because it was so personal.
Being an Asian student in Europe especially, during COVID- 19 spread is extremely hard. And I do understand the way she felt when people were biased and judged her only because of her race cause I have experienced the same. It is really good that the lecture she attended has inspired her to find more information and start questioning herself and others. I liked the fact she mentioned that fashion should be an industry for everybody no matter what.
The fact that she is highly motivated to promote the idea of inclusivity and diversity to the public is fascinating. She is now carefully thinking about the ways she could emplace her ideas into her futures work as. Her blog inspired me to think about this topic and to come up with ideas who can I use it in my practice. Since we are the future of the fashion industry and we should bring those changes to reality.
I think she could add in her blog the way social responsibility and sustainability topics have affected her work. However, I enjoyed reading Cha-Arbha’s post since she deeply opened up this sensitive topic which is relevant to the coronavirus situation.