-
Ellie Goldstein: the New Face of Fashion
One of the biggest compliments you could give the fashion industry is that it can change perceptions. It can be the voice for change throughout the world. Fashion is giving the disabled community a platform for the first time and at last, there is hope, hope that we may just be approaching a level playing field. A change embraced by all in an attempt to bring those with disabilities to the table when it comes to fashion. It has not been commonplace for brands to put their head above the parapet in this way. It’s an attempt to change the status quo in their area of work. The appointment of…
-
How Trends Can Be Toxic to Our Mental Health
Social media is the largest, most popular and global network of all time. With 3.81 billion active social media users around the world, almost every brand uses social media as their platform base. First thing of a morning and last thing at night, a lot of people tend to scroll through social media apps. Looking at new trends or comparing ourselves to others is the norm. However, this could lead to users struggling with their mental health. Mental health Social media can play a huge part in affecting a person’s mental health. Instagram in particular can have a negative effect. Due to Instagram predominately being a picture app, this can…
-
Does fashion have a mental health emergency?
Statistics show that people in the fashion industry are 25% more likely to experience mental illness. With the fast paced, pressurised environment and constant need to design and create new trends, it’s no wonder some people find the environment overwhelming. The question I’m asking is does fashion have a mental health emergency? The tragic deaths of Kate Spade and Alexander McQueen gave the industry the wake-up call it desperately needed, but has enough happened to avoid a reoccurrence? Are brands and designers actively seeking out mental health support for the industry and their employees? Or are they just completing a tick-box exercise if a team member expresses their mental health…
-
‘Diversity is not a trend.’
The conversation surrounding diversity in the fashion industry is finally been discussed and echoed. Fashion brands, magazines, and designers are now aware of the responsibilities they have to represent a breadth of culture and identities. In an age where a denial to represent or acknowledge certain groups of people can result in viral outrage, brands have adapted in order to remain relevant. Focusing on fashion brands, high street shops such as River Island, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger are a few brands that have made moves to cater to people beyond the mainstream. Now high-end fashion brands are finally catching on with Gucci’s newest face representing a group that has…
-
White-Washing and Cultural Pick-Pocketing: Token Diversity and Why it’s a Problem
Why is token diversity so problematic? Does it hold a mirror up to the whitewashed walls of high fashion? Or does it actually reveal the failing mechanics behind an industry dominated for too long by white noise, marred by our inability to confront the issues of underrepresentation? In November 2019, Elle Germany faced backlash after its ‘Back to Black’ issue featured a white model on the cover. Complete with the tagline “Models of colour were never in demand as they are now”, the magazine had made a clear misjudgement. By implying that models of colour are somehow a trend, Naomi Campbell called it “highly insulting” in her address to the…
-
Brexit's Seamless War on Fashion Industry Could Change How We Shop
In recent years, the fashion industry has been battling with UK politics to have their voice and concerns heard. Flashback to 2016, the fashion industry was vocally not in favour of Britain leaving the European Union. Maybe they could see the potential future risks of Brexit’s seamless war on fashion. The whole of the country was divided in opinion about whether Britain should leave the EU or not. During political campaigns, pro-Remain designers such as Vivienne Westwood were strong in their views that Brexit would damage the UK Fashion industry. In fact, 90 percent of British designers told the British Fashion Council that they were proud remainers. They raised concerns…
-
A case for vegan fast fashion?
Without a doubt, the rise of vegan fashion is huge. Major brands, such as Gucci, Versace and Chanel, have pledged to no longer use real fur. This contributed to the drop-in sales of women’s fur by 41% in the UK alone, in 2018. Personally, I have never owned real fur, or real leather products. Aside from how expensive they are, I was always fully aware that they were made from animals and that to me never felt right. In terms of faux fur and leather, of course I think these are much better, and ethical, than killing animals. However, as I’ve began to research into the industry further, I’ve realised…
