Society today likes to have lots of options. We like to have lots of variety in our life that allows us to have multiple options. We like to have this is all aspects of our life whether it be food, clothing, or even just what we want to do with our lives. This is especially common in the United States. The average closet in the U.S. is very large and packed full of lots of clothes. A lot of these clothes are very similar. Some of the clothes are even the same thing just in different colors. This is a huge problem because of the making of these products has been bad for the environment and now they are going to waste.
In Contemporary Expressions Design Activism, Fuad Luke discusses how important it is to meet the basic need of all people by designing new and better basic products. This first my start with the designer. We must educate or designers on how to design clothing that can be used for more than one type of function or event. These products also need to be made out of materials that are healthy for the environment and that can be broken down and used for other things after they are recycled.
My design concept is to produce merchandise that can be worn in multiple different ways and that can be worn on multiple different occasions. Lots of items in my clothes are very similar and are definitely not completely necessary. I think that if a designer got really creative they could create nice clothing that could be reversible. One side could have a cute print that would be great for a night on the town or a casual day. The other side could be a solid, classic more expensive looking fabric. This way one skirt, pant, or top could be used for more than one occasion. The designer could even get creative enough to make a skit or a top that was not only reversible but could also look very classy or worn a different way would be great for a weekend night. In my opinion, I think this concept could save people room in their closet, help the environment, and help them save on money.
I have really enjoyed this course and learned a lot from it. I had no idea before this class how much the fashion industry really effected the environment. After taking this course I have a much bigger passion for making the industry more environmental friendly. Because of this class I now take more caution and put in more thought when shopping and buying new clothes. One thing I would change about this class is the fact that it is online. I know it is nice for some people not to have to go to class. However, I feel like this class teaches us very important concepts and would have a greater impact on students if it was an actual class.
Kellee,
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of designing reversible clothing and I agree that it could save a lot of space in our closets as well as money! How do you plan to reach out to designers and help them realize that creating new and better basic products begins with them? I feel as though it would be difficult to convince many of them to change their ways of creating clothing. I was watching Fashion Star last week, and one designe came up with a great idea of creating skirts with a zipper that when un-zipped, revealed a new fabric underneath and concealed the one before it. It was so cool and made it look as though she was wearing a completely different skirt! Your idea sounds similar to the "halfway products" described by Faud-Luke. (pg. 95) Since your apparel item would be reversible, it leaves room for the user to complete the making in their own creative way. This part of the reading could help you with your idea! Good job this week!
Kellee, I really enjoyed your blog this week. As a woman in the fashion industry, I think your idea of reversible clothing is brilliant. I, personally, would purchase reversible clothing in a heartbeat. This targets the over-consumers nicely; How would you target the under-consumers? The under-consumers can hardly purchase new clothing at all.
ReplyDeleteThis idea works right along with Fuad Luke's co-design thought; having reversible clothing forces the producers, designers, and consumers to work together in this movement. Again, great job this week!
Thank you both for your comments. Mallory, I also think it would be hard to get the designers to go for this idea. However, I think if we show them how much harm they are causing the environment then they might be me likely to change. Morgan the question about helping the under consumers is a very good one and is one I will have to think on. I think there has to be a way that this can also benefit them. Thank you both for your comments! I will definitely take them into consideration.
ReplyDeleteKellee,
ReplyDeleteI think that your concept helps both under and over consumers. Yes, you would need to somehow campaign the under consumers to purchase in the first place, but once they did then they would have a fashionable item with options. I feel as though your concept falls under the category of "raising awareness, changing perceptions, changing behavior" (p.86) in the reading. I feel as though the product you're going to be promoting definitely will require a change in perception to one that makes our clothing options more efficient. Good luck in the next few weeks of school!