Cha-Arbha Jarusombat

Better Lives themes have shaped my perspective towards fashion media and communication in a better mindful way. The themes remind me to be responsible to the society and the planet. Sustainability, Diversity and Social Responsibility are necessary to be considered when carrying out any communication through any type of media.

The theme that is remarkable to me the most is diversity. I had an in-depth lecture about the topic by Laura J Salisbury which has left me with many question towards the society. As well as interest to be working with the topic of diversity. Days later I saw many wonderful fashion imageries that carry diversity value within it. It is absolutely a good sign for this generation to develop into a better environment of respect and appreciation of differences. However, later in a few months Covid-19 had caused the global pandemic situations. Instead of showing care and be aware of the situation. I have seen many xenophobic behaviour towards asian people. It has happened seriously both on the internet and in real life. During the time in London I have fear to get on to the public transport and wearing face mask. While at the airport to catch the home, I saw a family with their child whispered to her parents “Is she gonna cough?” While look at me. They did not aware that the virus is not carrying in a particular race. 

What I have experience during this crisis is that we have not done enough work to truly promote diversity to understand each other identities. Fashion is the reflection of human beings’ culture, background, and attitudes. The campaign put out from the fashion industry has not reach the majority yet. It is very sad and upsetting that people appreciate the action of promoting diversity by big brands and businesses. But the action and attitudes still remain with hate and misunderstandings. As an asian fashion media and communication student. I would like to be the voice and represent this fact by my creative work. In the future, I will work with variety of models who represents each of the context best. Which I believe this should be a norm in everyone’s working practice rather than to ‘ticking the boxes’. I will be consider the medium carefully to make sure that everybody in the society see diversity enough to realise that it is a norm. Because I feel that being ourselves in the most common and natural thing. Understanding that each other has different races and background should be something without any question too. 

I had discovered through In & Outside of Fashion: Sportswear Fashion Language & sub-cultures that diversity is the heart of styling. The class gave me examples of expressions of different identities by using clothing and work on the bodies. Decorating the bodies gives the society a visual definition of who you are. Different people has different background. Which It is something to celebrate. People should respect the each other identity. Without any judgment or racism. To bring in peace and harmony to the society.

The class listed subcultures from British and American history. Which are very interesting. It shows diversities of races, cultural backgrounds and ethos. Which inspired me to create many interesting styling looks. Along with the knowledge I have learned from the tutor in this unit. I create this final outcome inspired from Korean pop music culture and sportswear. Many pop girl group in the industry out fit was inspired from sportswear, especially the ‘tennis skirt’. For example, Red Velvet, BLACKPINK and I.O.I. This became a trend when the fandom adopted the style. This group of subculture who are interested in Korean pop music often make dance covers of their favourite bands as well. I decided to associate the style with Chanel. Based on the lecture I was given in this unit, “The word “sportswear” first appears in the early 1900s to describe clothes for skiing, bathing, and boating. By the 1920s, haute couture designers like Claire McCardell and Coco Chanel” (B. Peterson, 2015). This will emphasise the idea of sportswear as well as promoting the new definition of femininity by Coco Chanel. She was the iconic leader in new style of women. The result from each elements that I have learnt is this Chanel editorial shoot. 

I choose to use this subculture to create my outcome because of diversity. I have seen the same subcultures presented in lectures at the university and I feel that I should introduce a new subculture by the work I produced. To show that there are many other identities out there in the world. Which they are created everyday. To remind on the topic of diversity that it has no boundaries and it is gifted to be sharing the pride of identities to each other. 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2015/08/15/athleisure-awkward- word-for-comfortable-relationship/xjNhQYb7MVL78GpA9QWzsJ/story.html

Inclusivity has been introduced into many industry in many forms of media and design. It is very important in our society to appreciate diversity by supporting inclusivity. All human are unique and beautiful. Understanding this concept will lead to living in this planet together in harmony and preserve to the next generation. Which it is the heart of Better Lives unit. Fashion and beauty industry is also working very hard on inclusivity in the past years. However, listening to Inclusion lecture by Laura J Salisbury has changed my perspective toward the term of ‘inclusion’. The lecture gave me more in depth into a specific area. Different from when I saw an advertisement for a foundation lines that claimed to be offered to all skin tone with an attachment to the concept of inclusion. I had come to the realisation that my understanding of inclusion was only just at the surface level. 

Laura J Salisbury works on the design of garments for people with disability — those who are suffer with stroke. She shared many new technology in garments for people with disability such as Aura Powersuit and SoundShirt. As well as thinking process when design a garment. British Standards has stated in 2005 that inclusive design is “The design of mainstream products and/or services that are accessible to, and usable by, as many people as reasonably possible…without the need for special adaptation or specialised design”. Salisbury mentioned that there are these important factors when considering about inclusivity in design to meet the statement. Which are functionality, materiality and visualisation. This part of the lecture interest me the most. As it has shaped my perspective to inclusion in another way. She discussed about the design of some existing products that are too outstanding and may label the user to be different from the other. This reminds me of Sinéad Burke’s interview with The Guardian that “Many people cannot get dresses on or off with independence. Clearly, they were designed by a person who did not wear them.” ( S.Burke, 2019). Salisbury suggested in her lecture that designer should use ‘real people’ not ‘imaginary people’ when designers work on the garments.

Salisbury continued her lecture with adaptive clothing and the way it is presented. Tommy Hilfiger describes the products with ‘merely for show’ and ‘feel normal’. This is questionable that why we have to differentiate people with disabilities to be ‘not normal’? I found this point is very challenging to me as a fashion media student. To be working with designers carefully and translate an appropriate message to audiences. To bring the true sense inclusion into the society.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/may/16/i-want-to-tilt-the-lens-sinead-burkes-fight-to-make-fashion-more-diverse Accessed: 25/02/2020.