Better Lives blog 2
We, who are currently studying fashion, are the future generation that will work in this industry and be part of shaping it. Considering the immense reach and influence of this industry on the world, I feel this is a great responsibility that one should be aware of and also a challenge that I would like to face after my studies with new ideas, passion, profound knowledge and creativity.
There are countless social, political and environmental problems in the world, which the fashion industry, as a huge and powerful globally networked economy, has a massive effect on. With the ever-growing interest and awareness of the consumer society (especially within the younger generation) for topics such as sustainability, social responsibility, fair traid labour, representation, inclusivity etc. the importance of these subjects in the industry is steadily growing. Taking this into consideration it is becoming increasingly relevant to find solutions regarding the issues in these areas and new creative ways to approach them – a substantiated knowledge of them will be indispensable. The Better Lives unit offers a great opportunity to delve deeper into these current and complex topics, to expand and deepen our knowledge and be inspired by the lectures of experienced, creative industry professionals.
At school (in Germany) I was always quite frustrated by the fact that so little was being discussed about current vital socio-political issues. That’s why I am so enthusiastic about the fact that these fundamental topics are communicated and taught to us at university as the foundation for our work approach and as food for thought.
During this Unit I also became aware that there are many parts of the business that I would like to explore more thoroughly and with more curiosity, which I did not really have on the radar. Today’s media-driven world seems to turn faster, and faster, new technologies are emerging and revolutionizing parts of the fashion world. This for instance is one of those areas in which I am hardly versed, but I would like to acquire more knowledge, because I am aware that new technologies, if used sensibly and efficiently, can have a great positive influence on the fashion world. Whether it is in production, logistics or communication.
As a Fashion PR and Communication student I find it most important for my future job prospects and future career to work with brands whose values I can stand behind and which are authentic. The ‘Better Lives’ unit showed me once again that in the long run I would be unhappy in my job if I had to work with brands and companies (no matter how big or small) that only outwardly project an environmentally friendly, desirable, open-minded image of themselves, while behind this façade there are dilapidated structures with outdated worldviews, -mindsets, -ideologies and exploitation of workers.