In this semester in Advanced Research Seminar: Fashion, I want to dedicate research on “eco-fashion design”. Specifically to answer these following questions in relation to fashion design, I want to research the impact of fast fashion on the economy and how fast fashion is profitable, as well as the effect of fast fashion in ecology and economy, the second life of clothes and who. Other questions posed are what takes care of them, what would happen if fast fashion disappeared from market, how does fashion fashion effect local economies in the USA and in “third world countries” who is buying these clothes, what are people doing with used the clothes, how can clothing be up-cycled if they contain nylon? Another exploration in this thesis would be not how the economy affect fashion and it’s perceived values, and what it means. Does a higher costing garment equate to a high quality garment and vise versa, how does that affect the viewpoint of the consumer.  An interesting point to question as well is the psychology that goes against buying “eco-fashion.”

Another idea that is interesting to explore is the possibility to create a closed looped system of production and the cradle-to-cradle system of production of making garments, especially how would the second and third life of garments take place, and what would it look like. If this sort of system of production is possible, why is it not implemented now, and how could it be integrated in the current way of clothing made? How are modern patterns made in the industry? What is the industry standard of creation of a “production ready product,” is it the way the product is designed from the beginning that should be questioned, or is it just patternmaking itself that should be questioned? What are parameters in “regular” pattern making and why are those normalized but the something like zero waste pattern making not? How much waste is created in the process of creating a garment and how much of it is justified for the aesthetics?

These questions will be investigated in the perimeters pertaining to the fashion-related waste the US produces. Where the gamarments come from should be open to overseas, since, most clothing worn by people in the US are not made in the USA. But, I’ve decided to specify the region of waste production because doing a comprehensive research of general garment waste production seems unreasonably broad. From the extent of my knowledge in the USA, the system of recycling of clothing items is reliant on charities. Since the 1900s Goodwill has existed to take clothing from the wealthy and give to the poor. But it started as a place that people could learn how to sew and mend their clothes. When did these types of charities change to be merely agencies taking care of only post consumer garments. How did that start and how did the system become highly reliant on non-profit systems instead of the government and is the government involved and if they are how so and how much.

Post images of one object from the Black Fashion Designers exhibition at FIT. Address why you think this designer’s object was included in the exhibition. What contribution does the designer/object make to fashion history? Include information from the lecture, website, and course readings to support your answer.

In a sense, the fashion show was highlighting how Black designers have a vast range of designers: from suits, to reimagination of traditional garments, to skimpy little bunny suits, Black designers have it all and this shows it all. Just like every other designer. Down to struggling with what their identity is and how they fit in as designers in the ever changing ever complex industry. The dress I chose was worn by Michelle Obama. It was designed by Laura Smalls and in the picture it is in the middle. It is the coral midi dress. The design is flattering, conservative yet feminine, colorful but not too loud. It is the perfect respectable dress. The fabric is in jacquard which is like making patterns with thread. The dress represents the marketability of a designer that knows their colors. The coral is beautifully flattering. The pattern is from  leaves and was drawn with thick lines, the line weight reminds me of harlem renaissance drawings. The fabric a good balance of heritage and future. It reminds me of the mother’s bag in Tulloch reading. I also chose an object with one of the mannequins that were in color. We talked about how mannequins  being colored  should be mentioned and how it’s important to talk about them, in class. I disagreed with it then and I disagree with it now. Colored mannequins should be a choice for the garment. For this one in particular the colored one creates a beautiful contrast and it suits the garment. As long as the mannequin suits the garment I see no reason to fuss over it. 

Last week, we documented what we wore in seven days. In those seven days a couple of the themes could be seen through my dress. One of which being formality. I enjoy dressing in formal menswear inspired clothes. I don’t like to wear things hyper feminine but I like a little floral and lace here and there. But my feminine elements are balanced out by a hard edge. For example, if i wear a knitted sweater I balance it out with a men’s Levi pant, or if I wear a lace bralette I wear a leather jacket and trousers with it. Nothing I wear is hyper feminine nor masculine, I don’t want to look like a man but I don’t want to look like a girly girl either. I try to walk a balance of the masculine and feminine side of me. I noticed that I wear far more trailered clothes than I expected. I also noticed that, I didn’t buy as much clothes than I thought. The most recent purchase I made was from last summer, the floral jacket. I was trying to look for new things to wear but–there isn’t anything new. In this fast fashion ridden world it was funny that a fashion major doesn’t buy clothes as often as you would expect. The dress practice reminded me of how much I enjoy formal wear, and how much I don’t care about conforming to a boy or girl way of dressing. When I look back at it there are items that are from the men’s section–but I’ll still wear it with pride.