Blog Post 4: Iris Choi , Peer Review
Upon reading Iris Choi’s second blog post entitled ‘Blog 2: Themes reflection task’, I gathered a genuine and actualized sense of understanding but also willingness to learn more and acknowledge past ignorance, with regards to the better lives themes.
This can be seen in the opening sentences when Choi expresses how she was unaware of how the better lives themes could affect the fashion industry prior to starting this unit.
Choi identified problems within the industry as shown when she wrote “In the long run, if we do not make changes to our lifestyle, irreversible damage will occur.” The clear and concise statement illustrates she has an intelligible understanding of the theme ‘Social Responsibility’ as she is presenting this statement to not only herself but everyone reading by utilizing the inclusive pronoun ‘we’. This word selection allows everyone to feel that they too are responsible for the potential outcome of the future; in addition to that, they also feel they are a part of the resolution.
I also noticed that Choi covered the Better Lives theme of diversity by mentioning that magazines continuously utilise models that an agenda of perfection, which wrongfully, encourages many to “ pursue one kind of body shape unconditionally.” I think her use of the adjective ‘unconditionally’ is very effective as it relays the dangerous extent to which any are willing to go to, to achieve standards pushed and marketed to them.
Being more diverse allows plenty of people to feel seen and well represented which can deviate from anyone feeling extreme pressure to fit into a certain box the industry has created. This issue is one that Choi has explained fully. Furthermore, she has delineated the repercussions clearly for others to comprehend. “. People may do things to affect their health such as losing weight by taking illegal pills. Body shaming become a serious problem. Our society is not inclusive enough.”
This indicates, again, that she is not only aware of the unjust on goings but also that it must be changed to inspire positive and practical change for future and upcoming creative’s. This links both themes of ‘Social Responsibility’ and ‘Diversity’ in a productive manner.
C hoi goes on to highlight the importance of sustainability; another one of the three Better Lives themes. I specifically thought it to be very ethical and moral of her to suggest some ways she could implement sustainable living into her life. “I would like to stop consuming fast fashion brand products and support sustainable minority brand.”
Additionally, she also thought of a catchy slogan she could utilise to raise public awareness “Repair, Rewear, Relove” Moreover, she took it a step further by thinking of strategies that would strike a chord with Gen Z to get them involved. This considered strategy shows Choi has really thought about how to reach differing demographics and please her customer base, all whilst enforcing the theme and key messages surrounding sustainability. This stipulates a proactive approach.
From analysing this written piece it is clear how much progress has been made since commencing the better lives project. It is also plausible to say that she not only has a clear understanding of the themes but has transparent and innovative ideas on how to execute them into her own practice.