Jemma Fowler

For my final contribution to the Better Lives unit, I have been considering different peers works and have read through several blogs from other student’s projects. I decided to choose the blog written by Chloe Fennell, which is talking about and reflecting on lectures about the better lives theme. I was inspired by her blog because it was about her personal opinions on topics that concern me

While reading the Chloe Fennel blog, I could tell she was very passionate by the “POWER” concept presented by Julia Crew(lecture). I found particularly parts of her blog very interesting the way she explained the responsibility of the social issue at this time of day in the industry.  Chloe’s reflections have allowed me to understand some aspects deeper as I found the structure of this blog very appealing as there were loads of personal opinions which interested me. 

The lecture ‘well-being’ that she attended, Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to attend so I decided to read through her reflection and views.  This gave me new points of view and ideas by hearing different personal thoughts and allowed me to see it in a different light. For example, why should someone else follow what they are wearing because it’s looking good and trendy on them? Does it make them feel good and happy, but are they just being peer pressured into doing it because everyone else is. As there are many people out there who haven’t got the disposal income, so to afford to buy these clothes that are being shown to them on a daily subconsciously basis. Clothes are nice and they do make you feel happy but and it is a big but, at what cost are we being pressured. Pushing the younger generation into something that they don’t want. I much prefer the smaller more local fashion designers rather than just follow what happens to be in the press on that particular day or what’s on Instagram or Twitter or Facebook. In my opinion, so one can make their minds up but I think we need to have personal judgement and be guided by ourselves not always what other people tell us so this point is fascinating and I’m not sure will ever get resolved really. It will always be there because we will always follow people in the press on TV in magazines, social media it isn’t going to go away so how can we control it, something we can talk about probably at a later day.

Another interesting point from Chloe’s work was relating to our target audience as she mentions PrettyLittleThing’ and ‘Misguided’ which was a very creative statement t as I agree on what her point of view as an influencer/social media has a big impact on the audience to promote the fashion industry. The role of the influencer is very intriguing so do we know who they are  as in Chloe’s blog they have a very big say in what young people wear but I don’t think it’s fair because we don’t know that is happening like it’s behind a closed door.  When reading something just for a pure social reason but then it’s attacking our mind without us knowing, do we need to buy it when we probably don’t, is this fair or not I don’t know so the point being raised off the retail influencer is it ethical I’m not sure. It’s here to stay and with Instagram and other social media which younger people generally use. 

Overall, Chloe’s blog and outcome have a good development of ideas and knowledge throughout the unit which I agree with. Also, I could observe a really good connection from the beginning until the conclusion and it has helped me to understand the Better Lives unit and themes from different point of views.

My projects for better lives was Messaging Fashion. This project has allowed me to expand my knowledge and learn new skills about branding and public relations (PR). However, this Is much different to my hair and make-up for fashion course but will be very useful overall as I pursue my education within the fashion industry.  

During the session we have been introduced to PR and communications and how brands use Social Responsibility to improve brand reputation this has showed me how important this is for a brand in progress through business. 

Therefore, while working in groups, we were allocated a fashion brand, which in my case is House of Sheldonhall.  We developed a creative social responsibility initiative around the cause, that is authentic for this brand. In addition, we designed an engaging and compelling public relations (PR) and communication campaign that will promote the image we require. Our task was, in groups to produce and present our own social responsibility initiative for the brand we have been given. however, we must promote our concept to the target audience of the brand. I was really pleased when I was introduced to the brand which in this case was House of Sheldonhall, this is a unique and boutique brand formed in the north of the UK (Yorkshire). However, learning new knowledge about the brand was very interesting and rewarding. The design/style duo’s inspiration comes from Christian Dior and collections requested by the likes of British Vogue, Tatler, Lady Gaga and more recently Drag Race Royalty ‘Valentia’. When researching about this brand they gave me inspiration, and this allowed me to express and use my creative skills in my work. By focusing on the house of Sheldonhall brand and creating a campaign to support a worthwhile social cause. I think our project is realistic and our presentation of our ideas was impactful. In the group, we definitely enjoyed working together great communication to come up with a very useful campaign presentation. However, lessons for next time to develop the presenting further, this could have been done through some improved scriptwriting and more group practice. Also, I found out that as there was only two people in my group, we had to split the workload evenly to gain the best outcome. Personally, throughout this unit I have developed many new skills which are my writing skills, research, working in a team and presenting which has made me improve my confidence.  By learning new things for example, writing a press release as I’ve never done this before, so through our group working together we managed to produce a diverse campaign.

In conclusion, from this task I have a clear understanding on how social responsibility of a brand can have big impact on the brand internationally, and effect changes for the future. Even though, I have learnt loads of new skills I know this will help me in the future as a hair and make-up artist. My motivation will increase, take on more responsibility knowing the extra knowledge I have gained when I start my own projects. 

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/file/5cae49ed-e736-48e1-b43d-bb55d63c3fef?tenantId=8c6429c4-167f-477b-b8cb-77ee82758d11&fileType=pptx&objectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fartslondon-my.sharepoint.com%2Fpersonal%2Fj_fowler0320191_arts_ac_uk%2FDocuments%2FMicrosoft%20Teams%20Chat%20Files%2FHOUSE%20OF%20SHELDONHALL%20-%20jemma%20%2Cmonica%2C%20Yolanda%20%20(1).pptx&baseUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fartslondon-my.sharepoint.com%2Fpersonal%2Fj_fowler0320191_arts_ac_uk%2F&serviceName=p2p&threadId=19:bd03d15d-3024-4af1-834d-f49af95bacf1_c1487d79-50e8-4841-98e1-67d428ca4052@unq.gbl.spaces&messageId=1587936182076

The better lives unit has shown me a different approach to my work as a hair and makeup for fashion student. Therefore, the themes sustainability, Diversity and Social Responsibility will help the development of my understanding in the future.

Introduction to ‘Diversity’ can be defined as the significant differences amongst people. This can be about many things, including differences based on race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, age. Which can have a big part of the industry I’m going into as a makeup artist. Diversity is a big part as there are many men and women of all colours, ages, and backgrounds who use makeup on a regular basis, but unfortunately the industry fails to create for its entire consumer demographic. Also, in the lecture ‘Culture’ means thinking about the understanding and practices of everyday life. This has allowed me to see the future in a different point of view which can then lead into expanding my knowledge. Therefore, the cultural diversity – ‘existence of a variety of cultures or ethnic groups in society’. The ideas, custom and social behaviour of a particular culture have many different trends, inclusivity and diversity in makeup are part of an on-going change within the beauty industry. Within the beauty industry, makeup has had a massive part from the diversity in the last couple of years, which can affect the brands from promoting the products. For example, now there is a larger range of foundations and concealers shades which can be used by a much wider group. Diversity can only come when there are Brand leaders from a broad range of backgrounds. Therefore, before better lives themes I wasn’t aware of the diversity and culture in makeup in the skincare background of the brands of the products However the global beauty companies have now changed their point of view and got their act together, creating more variety in a range of skins tones for the consumer because everyone wants to be their own person. While researching about skins type within the makeup industry, I have changed my point of view to be able to benefit from serums, moisturisers and cleansers. Featuring all manner of ingredients like acids, retinal and vitamin c and yet the lack of diverse representation in advertising, especially on social media, is a huge issue lately. The lecture  has allowed me to explore more and open my eyes to the reality of makeup within culture and diversity which will help me to stop and think more before buying products in the future and read the information which will help the environment of the makeup industry to become a better place.

My project topics for better lives is Messaging Fashion. Where we have explored how to develop a creative social responsibility around this cause, that is original for the brand (House of Sheldonhall). In addition, we will design and engaging the public relations (PR) and communication campaign that will promote the brand. This will help me in the future to see how brands promote their business and visa versa, which could be in my future plans.

This was a great opportunity for me, and I attended 6 lectures on better lives. Overall i found the lecture on power very satisfying and useful in understanding the dynamics of the fashion industry.  The Attitude related to sustainability have now widely changed and advertised globally, but although levels of awareness are increasing. The process of change year to year is very slow against Expectations. In fact, some of the key indicators are showing social and environmental problems are worsening. Responsibility, who does this relate too? One has to question who has the power within the fashion industry. Who can be blamed for fashion today? Does it lie with the consumers the government or the brand or in this case without us the consumer there will be no business to promote so ultimately who does the power remain with?  Are the power structures balanced in fashion industry?  Therefore, if not, is this unbalance a contributor to the unfair treatment of people.  It is very important; I think that the structure of the power is equally distributed. This makes it a much fairer decision-making organisation.  The influence of media has a big impact on the society on everyday life. Media used by advertising can help increase the fashion products to reach a level of consumption that is not sustainable in the long term. We have got to remember also that deep behind the closed doors of the brain, what you have seen in the media carries on over and over again so the images we create have a great influence on what we do. Julia crew mentioned in her lecture links between fashion and power are important. I think overall my views are that the pressures within the industry are very unique and different. This can then lead to buying clothes more frequently and never be seen in the same clothes twice. It can have a massive impact on anxiety, insecurity and inadequacy. This has inspired me to think in different ways as some people are unable to have this luxury.  During this lecture another topic which stood out was “power and you” which allowed me to look at the fashion in a different view. This shows the positive and negative impact which can affect changes in the world today. This can relate to the control or freedom that we receive to become powerless; this can affect this industry overall. The media has allowed us to communicate and talk about the fashion and sustainability which can allow us to inform the public and educate into a much greater extent. 

In conclusion while attending the lectures my opinion on better lives had changed from when I started a few weeks ago. This has allowed me to expand my knowledge and to relate to the fashion industry from a different Angle. This lecture has made me realise there are many ways of fashion with power in different abstract connections with different people. It made me more aware to express my opinions with a totally different effect on the fashion industry. 

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”  Nelson Mandela – This has inspired me to always push myself and you will always succeed and be the best vision of yourself.