Blog 1 –
Better lives- blog 1 Reflections on one or more of the Better Lives lectures and how they have influenced your thinking
We were introduced to three themes of the Better Lives units in the first two weeks, which are social responsibility, diversity and sustainability.
These three themes take an important role in the fashion industry and also the key points how we should considered doing in the future.
After watching few briefings and lectures, I found that I am more interested in the diversity theme. The reason why I want to focus on diversity is because studying in a diverse city, London, as an international student, I have met many schoolmates from different countries, knowing many other cultures and experiencing the life I’ve ever had before in my country. Not only because of my own new life experience, but also diversity in the fashion industry has been changed a lot from the past. Among these lectures, “Diversity” directed by Shahidha Bari inspired me the most.
Diversity matters not only because of people of colours and minority groups, it includes age, disability, gender equality, race inclusion, religion and belief, sexual orientation gender identity and reassignment. For example, the stereotype of how runway and fashion models should be has been more diverse compare to the past. Not only focus on the white beauty ideas and skinny nine heads models but also models of colors and big sizes models are used nowadays.In the past, whether it was catwalks, catalogues or celebrity style, they all look very similar.
In one of the briefing mentioned about, imagine if alien comes to earth and see from catwalks to advertising campaigns, the aliens will think those are the only type of human being. Although we do see a small amount of diversity in fashion these days, the majority of body types are still tall, white, young slim and able bodied. Furthermore, cultural appropriation is also a problem when it comes to taking inspirations from other cultures in fashion industry. I have done some research about the news of Gucci ‘deeply sorry’ for black balaclava jumper that resembles blackface. The company has apologized and removed the product after the outrage on social media for appearing to mimic blackface. There are also many cultural appropriation cases in different brands, the most impressive one for me was the incident of Dolce & Gabbana cancels China show amid ‘racist’ ad controversy. It was mainly about the asian model prods the pizza with chopsticks to the sound of stereotypical Chinese music. The difference of culture appropriation and cultural appreciation, it’s not appropriate to use the culture or elements not from others’ culture when it is lack of consideration and respect.
To conclude, there are plenty of beautiful people of color, size, abilities and different cultures in the world. It’s important to embrace all kind of beauty, and continue to advocate for accurate, inclusive representation.