Samantha Stone

by Samantha Stone

It was a struggle to pick one blog to review many had extremely interesting points and views although after looking at several different blogs there was one that invoked my curiosity. A blog posted by Solomia Zakhatkiv who talks about working in a group to produce a short video corresponding to “Nubian Skin”. Which she states was established in 2014 by Ade Hassan who decided to create a different kind of nude. 

Following the previous lecture taught on representation by Telecia Kirkland it flows in nicely with this theme of diversity and social responsibility and is something I’m always quite interested in. Being a woman of colour myself I was inspired to read that Solomia and her group felt it was vital to highlight the fact that everyone deserves to be powerful, beautiful and connected. Which can sometimes be lost in this world that can make one feel like they should be something that they’re not. However, I would have liked to know more about her role in the group as I feel that it wasn’t spoken about much.

I can say with confidence that the Better Lives unit has influenced our way of thinking in a very positive light. It’s brought up situations and challenges that are often overlooked and not talked about. Along with this pandemic it’s also allowed us to think outside the box at how we collectively could address these themes.  

I agree with Solomia that working with other creative practitioners can heavily influence and develop our work and our way of thinking. I can be sure that the Better Lives themes will has given me new essential skills definitely that I will use in my work in the future.

By Samantha Stone

Before starting the Better lives unit, I had doubts how it would broaden my knowledge of the fashion industry. However, having watched numerous videos from the Better Lives lectures, I can confidently say that they have inspired my outlook at fashion and my emotions towards it. Diversity was one of the themes that invoked curiosity in me and an option I wanted to explore from the get-go. After listening to the lecture on representation by Telecia Kirkland I was immediately drawn in. this lecture exploited the perspective of the black community and how it has been represented in the media. 

Being a woman of colour myself I can empathise with some of the struggles people of different colour or diversity can face on a day to day let alone in the public eye.

Being stereotyped for the way you dress is often one of the challenges that get overlooked every day. 

This lecture has widened my knowledge of the differences between cultural appropriate and cultural appreciation. Although they sound quite similar, they are segregated by a very small point. Which is why now we have the ability to know what is socially right from wrong. One of the things that shocked me the most was when I learnt about outraged marketing. I can’t contemplate how companies; brands could purposely target and abuse minority groups in order for their brand to be spoken about. It just affirms that in society money is more important than humanity and above all.  

To sum this up representation plays a big part of the fashion industry. Being able to distinguish factors such as characteristics or common interest, understanding how different cultures have contradictive views is essential at making sure you do it correctly.