blog post #1
Julia Crew, Power.
“When we think of fashion, we tend to be drawn to its positive side. However, fashion also has a dark side.” (Crew, 10.02.2020). Power, in the fashion industry, is an example of an important issue that is not as widely discussed as topics like the environment. It is important because the role of power controls not just the fashion industry, but the entire world. It shocks me every time I am told that there is only 62 ‘very rich’ people on this planet, but their wealth equals half of the population on the planet. The fashion industry allows individuals to become extremely wealthy, while slavering others at the same time. The lecturer mentions that the huge gap is shown as a CEO only needs four days to earn what a garment worker may earn in a lifetime, which is a powerful piece of information.
I also learned that power lies beyond the high positions at fashion corporations, such as the media, a powerful method to control how the public thinks. I believe that it is crucial for fashion media professionals to advertise the right information and guide consumers on to the right path. Celebrities and influencers are also responsible for promoting sustainable fashion brands to their audience. Of course, consumers hold power too, small decisions such as donate and upcycle clothes can have a great sustainable impact. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” (Margaret Meed). Fortunately, the fashion industry is becoming more and more of a focused discussion, and more awareness have been shown than before.
“Power is control, freedom, individual, collective, big, and small.” (Crew, 10.02.2020). I think we as contemporary consumers hold individual and group power to improve the fashion industry, however, many of us still ignore and take the power of free choice for granted. I also believe that aggressive powers, need to be replaced with empathy. As consumers, we need to understand the system better and reject ‘pale, male, and stale’. Holding more freedom than other groups, we can show support by physically joining a protest, or digitally signing a petition as mentioned in the lecture. Additionally, as fashion students of different specialisations, whether it is design, media, or business, we need to be responsible and be a positive representation for change. Regardless if it is a consumer, influencer, economist, business owner, or the media; more transparency, human rights, workers’ rights, and higher minimum wage should be our common goal to be collaborated at. We hold the power of choosing how to act.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” (Nelson Mandela)
11th May 2020 @ 12:20 pm
Whilst sifting through some my peer’s blogposts I was able to identify with many of their experiences and interpretations of how this unit has gone by, but I think I identify with your post the most. Similarly to Bing Li, I found the first lecture one of the most substantial and impactful.
Understanding power imbalances and the affects they have on everyone as well as being able to see just how unjust the distribution of wealth is, remains very important. We grow up being groomed to follow along with the unspoken ideals of what society has been previous perceived as correct. This is what holds us oblivious to the blatant fact that those who hold some of the world’s most wealth and control some of the world’s most impactful facets of capitalism continue to thrive whilst they take from those struggling to survive.
Having awareness of this information is good and will impact each of us is many ways and provide us guidance as we go throughout our careers.