Fashion Ethics

Ethical fashion is becoming a hotter and hotter topic.  Its something that LCF are really picking up on especially on my course.  I guess the idea is that by teaching us how to make fashion ethical and sustainable then in the future when we are the fashion industry, it will be second nature to make ethical and sustainable things.

I have been reading ‘Green Is The New Black’ by Tamsin Blanchard, partly for my uni project and partly out of curiosity.  And if you’re interested in fashion then it’s a gripping read.  But it also makes you feel terribly guilty.

‘Green Is The New Black’ goes through all the different ethical problems facing the fashion industry, waste textiles, pesticide use, chemical pollution from making synthetics, trade, sweat shop labour, fast fashion and air travel, and many more I’ve forgotten I expect.  None are gone into in too much depth, which is good, because most people won’t want to wade through pages and pages of deep depressing reading.  But enough facts and figures are given about each to make you, as a reader, think.

The thing I love about this book is that its not preachy.  Its written in a very laid-back, colloquial way (I love that word) a bit like she’s having a chat with you about it.  There are also many contributions from designers like Anya Hindmarch and Stella McCartney, plus a foreword by Lily Cole.

The great thing about it is it gives you options.  It tells you the problems surrounding a certain area of fashion, and says, these are the companies that are doing something about it, or why don’t you try doing this.  It also appreciates that most people don’t have the money to turn completely green, like we’re all being encouraged to do, it just offers some tips.  there is also a fantastic address book at the end with brands, websites, magazines that are all worth a browse.

For me it made me think.  Hard.  I haven’t been into Primark since, and don’t think I’ll be going back to be honest.  Its stopped me buying a few things that before I would have had to have had.  Instead I’ve bought a couple of slightly more expensive than I would usually buy items, that are classics and I know will last me a lot longer than some of the usual crap I buy on impulse.  And instead of throwing out that pencil skirt that the idiot hairdresser spilt bleach down, I’ve bought a zip to stitch down the front to cover the mark and give it a new lease of life.

I didn’t intend for this to be a book review.  I was going to discuss things a bit more generally.  But sometimes that’s the way things go.  It’s a great book, I would recommend it if you’re interested in fashion (and what the hell are you doing here if you aren’t), be warned though, you will start to feel guilty.  And you will re address a few things.  You may even walk on past Primark next time!

x

The Second Year Begins

When they said that the second year was going to be worse, they weren’t kidding.

The project is intense, and with the brief being set by an actual company, the pressure’s kind of on!  I’ve had a huge problem getting back into the mode of working so hard.  The summer was crazy long, and I did a couple of things, but mostly, I was bone idle!  So getting back into the frame of mind where I have to work every second of the day has been a struggle.

Uni lectures have been annoying.  Normally we’re just based in Shoreditch or Oxford Street, but this year we’re in Shepherds Bush quite a lot.  Which is just plain annoying.  Living in East London, its not a fun trek.  Because public transport can be so temperamental we have to leave an hour and twenty minutes, at least, to get there.  And sometimes even then we don’t.

On top of the project there’s a lot more going on this year.  Electives, a whole separate project, which can be on any subject that the uni teaches.  This term I’m doing fashion graphics, which is really good.  But as I’m sure many of you know, photoshop not only takes forever to do something, but it’s hugely addictive once you get going so you end up just ‘playing’ on it for ages.  We need to be writing our CV.  Doing a portfolio.  Looking for a work placement for next year.  Plus I expect myself to do all of these things better than anyone else.

Needless to say I had a near nervous breakdown a week or so ago.

But I’ve calmed down a little now.  Have lists coming out of my ears.  Spend more time making lists than doing them, but at least I feel on top of it!

And I’ve taken on some work experience too.  Just to make things easier!  Working as a pattern cutter.  But thats very very early days, so I may divulge more details at a later date. (though with my frequent blogging I will probably be talking about it in past tense by then!)

On the plus side The Boy has got his first post-grad full time job just down the road from my house.  Which is great to see him every day (though perhaps doesn’t help me get lots of work done).  And this weekend I have my ma’s dog staying with me while she’s away.  He’s a lovely little Shi Tzu.  Only a pup really.

So yes thats a quick update from me.