Blog Post Two
Having spent the past few weeks exploring the Sportswear Fashion Language and Subcultures project, I have had time to consider how the Better Lives themes are going to influence the way I work and the choices that I make in the future. Whilst at the beginning of the unit I was sceptical as to how beneficial Better Lives was going to be to my studies, I have now had the chance to truly engage with how important and vital sustainability, diversity and social responsibility are, particularly now in light of the current climate.
The unit has allowed me to investigate further into both the positive and negative effects of the fashion industry and the impact that it has had on society and our environment. I think, as fashion students, we are so aware of the downside to the industry that we often forget to acknowledge how it is beginning to change for the better – however by partaking in the Fashion Styling project, the team have enabled me to appreciate many brands’ efforts.
The Savage x Fenty 2019 show is a personal favourite and perfectly ties in with the Better Lives theme of diversity and inclusion. Rihanna’s diverse cast is the ideal representation, featuring a range of body types, models of colour and models with disabilities. Rihanna has set the bar high and, in the future, I would like to be able to use my platform as a voice for the underrepresented, who are often overlooked and ignored by this industry.
Sustainability has been a strong focal point within our fashion styling masterclasses. In Masterclass One, we styled several looks by piecing together items from each of our wardrobes and deconstructing clothes in order to create fresh, new outfits. For example, in the styled piece I have included, we took several items of clothing and material and modified them so they had a new purpose.
The dramatic increase of fast fashion is having long-lasting damaging effects on the environment and in order to help slow down the process, it is important for us, as the next generation of fashion creators, to do our part. Since deconstructing and restyling old items of clothing in our masterclasses, I have had a new outlook on recycling and rejuvenating my own clothes, in place of automatically throwing them out.
Instead of purchasing from fast fashion brands such as MissGuided and Boohoo, who have been labelled as the two least sustainable fashion brands by the Environmental Audit Committee, I shall be making a conscious effort to buy clothing that will have a long lasting life in my wardrobe. As consumers, we need to take responsibility for the clothes we are purchasing and keep in mind the negative impacts production can have on the environment. We need to start putting pressure on brands to improve their ethical credentials and stay loyal to companies who are making a mindful effort to reduce their carbon footprint.
References:
Petter, O. (2019) Fast Fashion Boohoo and Missguided Among Worst Offenders in Sustainability Inquiry. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/fast-fashion-boohoo-missguided-brands-sustainability-environmental-audit-committee-2019-a8754496.html (Accessed: 23 April 2020).
Perryer, S. (2019) Fashion industry seeks to shake bad reputation with CSR initiatives. Available at: https://www.europeanceo.com/business-and-management/fashion-industry-seeks-to-shake-bad-reputation-with-csr-initiatives/ (Accessed: 23 April 2020).