Stanley Sugawara-Robson

After reading over a few of blog posts, I have chosen to peer review Eleanor Renwick’s Blog 2. I like how she clearly states and summarises the 3 main topics and outlines what she aims to do in her blog post. She then proceeds to give a clear definition of her first case study (Diversity) and raises the qualms that people have with this specific topic. In her third paragraph she uses Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty as an example of a company that is promoting diversity and catering to the make-up needs of the under-represented communities within media and society. Eleanor’s fourth paragraph detailing her role as a creative is concise and she is acknowledging her social responsibility however she doesn’t give example of how she could, or has done this in the past. She then addresses and gives examples of how she can be more sustainable in her own practise. She then references an article from Depop and Farfetch then outlines the general argument of the article which I thought showed genuine interest and further research in the topics at hand. Then in her conclusion she summarises her responsibilities and how she is going to bring these new topics with her in the future. Overall, two of the topics discussed had a very good real world examples and explanations with them and her paragraph about Social Responsibility was the only one lacking them. It comes across that she has learnt about the topics throughout Better Lives.

Project outcomes and personal development in Better Lives Module.

I initially chose the make-up section of Better lives because seeing as I don’t wear make-up I haven’t had the chance to learn what and how to do different make-up looks. Also I saw this as a chance to make me a stronger photographer because if I am able to achieve a certain a certain level of prowess in make-up then it’ll be easier to do shoots as I won’t have to organise to have a make-up artist unless I am doing a more extravagant shoot.  I started off this process by learning how to do a ‘Smoky Eye’ make up look this was initially challenging for me because even though I had painted before I hadn’t done make up looks. Using this application technique I applied a translucent layer of white then blended in purple eyeshadow to it to create a slight gradient from the inside of my face to the outside. Then using purple jewels I recreated a cluster of lavender leaves on my face. I then tried to use the gems to create the stalk however this made the image unclear so using eyeliner I drew the stalk. I liked the overall simplicity of this look however the left side of my face looked to empty so I created another lavender plant and had this one higher up and leaning in. I did this to create the effect of them leaning towards the sun as well as it nice framing my face. My inspiration for using lavender comes from their qualities as a natural remedy whether that their ‘antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to heal minor burns and bug bites.’ or what I primarily use them for, treating insomnia and restlessness. These stresses have become more apparent throughout quarantine so I though it fitting to make them the theme of my make up look. From my Better Lives lectures and personal research I am going to try to continue making and not throwing away old garments along with not shopping from unethical companies. Having parents who are also in the creative industry and being raised in a household that promoted and believed in sustainability within the arts and everyday life has helped me be a more responsible practitioner.

Reflecting on Sustainability, Diversity and Social Responsibility within my own practise.

After rewatching and listening to my recent Better Lives lectures I encouraged myself to honestly assess and consider my responsibilities as a creative.  In terms of my own practise and how I have explored and taken into account the theme of ‘diversity’ I have an ongoing project called “SUSURO” in which I make clothing inspired by traditional Japanese techniques and more modern streetwear inspired patch-working then photograph models wearing these pieces. I try to predominantly use mixed race models focusing on my friends and peers who are half Japanese mixed with another half. This casting idea spoke strongly to me because although the amount of mixed race (half black and half white) models is significantly increasing, the representation and use of models who are ‘wasian’, ’measian’ or blasian (white and asian, middle eastern and asian (oriental) and black and asian) is barely changing in east asian countries such as Japan and South Korea. Throughout the aforementioned project I cast my friend who was half Japanese and half Nigerian and another who was Chinese and french. I had cast street twins who were also of Nigerian and Japanese descent however i wasn’t able to use them. The idea of this shoot was to empower and promote this quite often under represented mix and I believe that I was successful in doing so. 

 Previously I wasn’t well versed on the importance of Social Responsibility within fashion however after my lectures and further personal research and reading into the project, a quote from the New York Law Journal stood out to me. ‘The relevance of social responsibility to brand valuation for investors and other stakeholders is increasing exponentially year after year’ consequently it became apparent that as creatives we are our own brand and our reputation is of the utmost importance to our career. Ways I have implemented social responsibility into different parts of my own life vary from making sure to recycle and by free range organic food items to cutting down the amount I buy clothes and shoes and completely stopping going to fast fashion retailers.  I have practised sustainability for many years by mainly making my garments out of fabrics found at charity shops or bought from smaller sellers on online marketplaces as well as, before throwing out an old pieces of clothing, seeing if can rework or mix it with another piece so that I can continue to wear it.  An example of this is a hoodie that I made for a previous project where I had a hoodie that was too short so combining it with another hoodie that I grown out of, I sewed them together then patchworked different t-shirts from when I was a younger to make a new hoodie that was aesthetically pleasing and still held a lot of sentimental value for me. 

 Diversity and representation within fashion notes.

representation and diversity within the arts is about seeing people from a diverse range of backgrounds whether that be from the LGBT community, different body aesthetics and ethnicities. 

designers, artists, photographers and all other creatives should strive to correctly and sensitively represent all types of people from every community. Throughout history ‘Eurocentric’ beauty standards have been promoted and exhibited throughout the world through imperialism, colonialism and the media. Western media/ideals pushed worldwide. It is important more-so now than ever before because people need to be educated on how different people live their lives. Through the promotion of Eurocentric beauty standards has lead to people, especially the youth, believing that only one type of look is deemed attractive by society. (This being skin colour, physical build, hair, size and placement of facial features, dress)

Media is guilty of exaggerating these non-Eurocentric beauty while portraying minorities. example given on presentation is Djimon Hounsou, where he is standing against a white background and possibly the editing or lighting of the photograph accentuates his darker tone of skin. Our responsibilities as practitioners is to not continue upholding and building the negative stereotypes created by creatives before us. 

Frantz Fanon’s ‘Black Skin, White Masks’ explores the desire for perceived necessity of the black person to adopt the behaviour of the dominant white culture as a way of being accepted into society and their self hatred being spurred on by society. The Model Minority is a fallacy that suggests there are south and east-asian minorities within asian communities that are considered to be ‘white adjacent’. they are considered to be well integrated in terms of education and employment. In a research paper, by Dr Yae, she has stated that ‘this construction as a model minority needs to be contested as it a radicalised discourse that masks inequalities and racism not to mention that it also suggests that all south and south east asians are the same.’ This is also seen through black entertainment culture when an artists (normally musician) amasses wealth, popularity and fame, their perceived social status and class is elevated in the eyes of society.

Examples of the negative effects of Eurocentric beauty ideals being pushed.  

Black and Asian women skin bleaching // Black women straightening naturally curly hair

I found the segment about ‘The Model Minority particularly interesting because I, a half Japanese and half English boy, have been treated as white adjacent even though my physical asian qualities are prominent and noticeable on my face as well as being privileged enough to grow up in nice areas and attend good schools I have seen the positives of ‘the model minority’ however people who I have met who are of the same mix haven’t seen the same privileges that I have. There are often variables such as living in different areas, going to different school etc however I find Dr Yae’s assessment of the ‘the model minority’ to be somewhat entirely accurate.