Blog 2: Themes Reflection
`Fashion is simply the messenger from a sexist, celebrity mad mass-culture, channelled through popular journalism, the internet and Hollywood´(Wilson 2010) This sad definition made by Wilson, can be still the one that an important part of the population has about Fashion.
Throughout the years this `toxic relationship´ between Fashion and several stigmas has been developed, therefore it is our responsability as practitioners to change this sight through our creative performance.
Looking the industry from a social perspective, aspects like the women objectification, persuasive advertising, and the labour exploitation in countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (which are economically dependent of this trade) are concerns that need to be solved. The `Fast Fashion´ and other issues like `Retail Therapy´ (the perception of buying and shopping as pleasant activities, while the actual consumption of goods is secondary.) have made way to exploited workers in developing countries. Fortunately, `Second Hand´ market has risen and, indeed, `Vintage Fashion´ has become a trend. As a possible solution, organising `Second Hand´ markets among London College of Fashion students would be an amazing idea to encourage ourselves into our Social Responsability. Also the personal vision of the garments from each individual needs to be changed. If we would see them as valued objects and give them a purpose to be used, we would treasure them better. Personally, I find really interesting the fact that `second hand´ clothes have had a story before we bought them. Regarding possible solutions through my specialism, Hair and Make-Up for Fashion, I will suggest to my classmates and colleagues to participate in `Swapping Products´ activities, where we can swap with others the products that we do not use for the ones that can be valued for us from the others, when the hygiene measures make it possible.
`Fast Fashion´and other sustainability issues like the use of cotton for textil production, are also relevant concerns in terms of taking care of our planet. The production of cotton requires a high water use, wasting this resource in a huge scale. As fashion practitioners, we are also responsable of using sustainable fabrics in our productions, being against the usage of cotton and informing the consumers about the impact of this environmental issue.
Besides that, Fashion confronts some Diversity matters to be solved. From the Hair and Make-Up perspectives, one relevant point would be the requirement of having foundation shades for all the skin tones. Make-Up brands like `Danessa Myricks´ and `Fenty Beauty´ are good examples of diversity within the Make-Up industry. The project I have chosen for this unit is `Developing a Character´, thus I will focus my character in the diversity, creating different identities in a same character that evolves. In my future practice, I will try to purchase just brands supporting the diversity and have all the skin tones shades needed in my kit for being inclusive with all the models and clients I will work with.
References: Wilson, E. (2010) The Ethics of Fashion. London: Routledge / Gibson, C. and Staines, E. (2011) Is green the new black? Exploring Ethical Fashion Consumption. London: Routledge.