My intern specialises in styling and that's something I've really been interested in for a while. Getting first hand experience from another, older university student was really exciting and engaging. We had many meetings about what sort of things she would be doing for the rest of her project, all of which interested me. We met quite a few times and I helped her with several things relating to her project. Her photo shoots was the thing that I really enjoyed helping with as she is really good at showing you what's expected when being a stylist and giving art direction.
Friday 5 May 2017
Professional Practise - What have I been doing for my intern?
I've had a lot of fun interning for a third year. It interests me because it's work that we'll be doing in two years time, so having an insight at this stage is really inspiring. It also has prepared me for what is expected at third year as a communications student.
Wednesday 3 May 2017
Professional Practise - How to find an internship/job
(Always engage with Linkedin)
How to set up a new business: creativeskillset.org
Where to upload your portfolio: artsthread, issuu
(Less is more, only showcase best work)
Be sure to pre-interview research -
-Thorough research into the company and for the position you're applying for.
-They always ask, 'who are our competitors?'
Teamwork:
-Be sure to do collaborative projects - FAT (fashion, architecture, textiles)
Places to find jobs:
How to set up a new business: creativeskillset.org
Where to upload your portfolio: artsthread, issuu
(Less is more, only showcase best work)
Be sure to pre-interview research -
-Thorough research into the company and for the position you're applying for.
-They always ask, 'who are our competitors?'
Teamwork:
-Be sure to do collaborative projects - FAT (fashion, architecture, textiles)
Places to find jobs:
- fashionworkie.com
- ukfashionintern.com
- Fashion Heaven
- Industry Journals
- Graduate Job Search
- http://www.hudsonwalker.com/
- http://www.talismanfashion.com/
- http://www.fashiontherapy.com/
- http://www.freedomrecruit.com/
- http://denza.co.uk/
- http://www.indesignrecruitment.co.uk/
- http://www.fashionheaveninc.com/
- Generator hostels
Monday 1 May 2017
Saturday 22 April 2017
Professional Practise - Ethical fashion
Ethical fashion - do you agree with it?
What is ethical fashion?
It's something that "represents an approach to the three main areas, design, sourcing and the manufacturing of clothing which maximises benefits to people and communities while minimising impact on the environment." (1) Therefore implying that it's fashion that is morally accepted within that industry, with workers having good working conditions and their employers always ensuring that there employees are safe. I'd like to think that most factories are like this but in reality, they really aren't.
Now, fast fashion has come about, it means that ethical fashion needs to be the main focus more than it ever has been before otherwise we'll be destroying this planet and our people on it. More businesses need to think about being more ethical to their employees and our planet.
What are the environmental impacts of fast fashion?
- Dyes dying rivers which impacts on fish and creatures living in the rivers.
- Water consumption - 2 billion pairs of jeans are produced every year, with 7,000 litres of water used to make them. 2,700 litres of water make just ONE t-shirt. (2)
- Landfill - each year over 80 billion pieces of clothing are produced worldwide, and after its short lifespan, three out of four garments will end up in landfills or be incinerated. (2)
These figures are terrifying. Fast fashion has positives and negatives, but taking a look at these figures is suggesting that there is a massive downfall in fashion fashion. How can that much water be used to just make ONE t-shirt? Imagine all the extra water to wash them also in it's whole life span of being a t-shirt, that's so much more that's added on top of that.
Nowadays, everyone buys clothes monthly, and sometimes that item of clothing doesn't even get worn/worn that much before it gets thrown away. According to Juliet B. Shor, "In 1991, the average American bought 34 items of clothing each year." Only 34 items a year? I know for a fact I buy way more than that and i'm a student. She also said, "By 2007, they were buying 67 items every year." That's pretty much double what it was in 1991. It's showing how fast our fashion is nowadays. I'd be scared to look at the current figures as I know that would've increased implying more environmental factors that need to be taken into consideration.
If this photo doesn't scare you, I don't know what will. Look at all of that blue dye being released and polluting a river. Those creatures and fish that are living in that river will be killed. If your dog falls into that river or you/your child falls in, imagine the consequences of that. It's terrifying for our planet. That's why everyone needs to be aware so we can encourage more brands to be ethical.
What are the impacts on the employees if a business isn't ethical?
Most factories are in developing countries because it's cheap labour. But is cheap labour good for the wellbeing of a person? Being trapped in a room with no windows, no space to move and rubbish pay. For workers to go home with money that they've earnt which won't cover much, not even their living wage, and to be working such long hours where they can't watch their children grow up! This isn't fair. They should be treated like any other human being is treated and should feel happy to go to work to make garments for people rather than dreading it. Some factory owners just don't know how to treat their workers and I don't understand how retailers, like Primark, would want to sell clothes knowing full well that the people behind their garments suffer from poor working conditions.
Normally, us as a customer, can straight away know whether a business is proud to have their manufactories, as they place 'made in ____' in the wash care label. That's when you know you should be proud to buy an item of clothing, if the company is proud, you should be proud also.
Now, fast fashion has come about, it means that ethical fashion needs to be the main focus more than it ever has been before otherwise we'll be destroying this planet and our people on it. More businesses need to think about being more ethical to their employees and our planet.
What are the environmental impacts of fast fashion?
- Dyes dying rivers which impacts on fish and creatures living in the rivers.
- Water consumption - 2 billion pairs of jeans are produced every year, with 7,000 litres of water used to make them. 2,700 litres of water make just ONE t-shirt. (2)
- Landfill - each year over 80 billion pieces of clothing are produced worldwide, and after its short lifespan, three out of four garments will end up in landfills or be incinerated. (2)
These figures are terrifying. Fast fashion has positives and negatives, but taking a look at these figures is suggesting that there is a massive downfall in fashion fashion. How can that much water be used to just make ONE t-shirt? Imagine all the extra water to wash them also in it's whole life span of being a t-shirt, that's so much more that's added on top of that.
Nowadays, everyone buys clothes monthly, and sometimes that item of clothing doesn't even get worn/worn that much before it gets thrown away. According to Juliet B. Shor, "In 1991, the average American bought 34 items of clothing each year." Only 34 items a year? I know for a fact I buy way more than that and i'm a student. She also said, "By 2007, they were buying 67 items every year." That's pretty much double what it was in 1991. It's showing how fast our fashion is nowadays. I'd be scared to look at the current figures as I know that would've increased implying more environmental factors that need to be taken into consideration.
 |
| Denim dye being released into one of China's rivers. |
What are the impacts on the employees if a business isn't ethical?
Most factories are in developing countries because it's cheap labour. But is cheap labour good for the wellbeing of a person? Being trapped in a room with no windows, no space to move and rubbish pay. For workers to go home with money that they've earnt which won't cover much, not even their living wage, and to be working such long hours where they can't watch their children grow up! This isn't fair. They should be treated like any other human being is treated and should feel happy to go to work to make garments for people rather than dreading it. Some factory owners just don't know how to treat their workers and I don't understand how retailers, like Primark, would want to sell clothes knowing full well that the people behind their garments suffer from poor working conditions.
Normally, us as a customer, can straight away know whether a business is proud to have their manufactories, as they place 'made in ____' in the wash care label. That's when you know you should be proud to buy an item of clothing, if the company is proud, you should be proud also.
The one story that has really stuck to me is when my lecturer informed us of her experiences when visiting factories, it goes along the lines of this, "I'm a person that flys out to countries to have a look at potential factories for fashion retailers. I'll go there with questions already planned, some of which they won't expect. When I ask to go to the toilet, I ask to go to the employees toilets and not the employers toilets and if they act shocked and hesitate and insist on me going to the toilets they use, I refuse. Then, that's when I know their workers aren't treated right. Straight away, I know that the factory won't be the factory I end up choosing." Every time I buy a new item of clothing, I will ALWAYS be sure to look at the wash care label.
Overall...
Ethical fashion SHOULD be something that every employer, whether that's at a factory or a retailer, as it'll improve everything around us, our planet and our people. If customers were more aware of the negatives of fast fashion and buying clothes, and were thoroughly informed on how the clothes we buy are made and who by, I think things would slightly change. This should be made public and it should be a law that every item of clothing's tag should include, who and how the clothing was made and how they employees have been treated. This would make people aware and maybe even stop people from buying clothes from retailers who use factories that treat their worker terribly. This would then mean that that shops sales would drop and they'd have to rethink their business manufacturers and suppliers.
If organic cottons and other eco friendly materials are used to replace some harmful ones, it means that less water would be used. FAR less water would be used, meaning that we have more water to survive ourselves and for the planet around us.
Encouraging fair trade should be the next biggest thing that EVERY business should do. Being sustainable to the environment and allowing workers conditions and rights to be fair is exactly what is needed and if this happens, fast fashion will work a treat. Allowing everybody to be sure that the clothes they are buying is made from is sustainable and is made by people who are happy to go to work and earn some money. Why not be fair when trading and treat others how you would want to be treated?
I've never really be so cautious and weary of the ethics behind fashion, but now being a fashion student, it's something I really want everyone to know about. Ethical fashion is so important and fashion students like me, will be next generation of fashion movers, so we have a say and invent businesses that are ethical. Being informed and lectured about this earlier on in my fashion life is really beneficial as I can take this with me wherever I go and I KNOW I will. It's somethng that has recently been playing on my mind (annoying but really good too) which is showing how powerful it is. I'm now a person that has been influenced by the '30 wears challenge'. Every time I go to buy something I question myself 'will I wear this more than 30 times?' and if the answer is no, I won't buy it but instead dream about it.
(1) https://www.ethicalfashionforum.com/the-issues/ethical-fashion - Ethical Fashion Forum - What is ethical fashion?
(2) http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/makingwaves/fast-fashion-drowning-world-fashion-revolution/blog/56222/ - by Shuk-Wah Chung - 21st April, 2016 - Blog post
(3) http://www.julietschor.org/the-book/synopsis/ - by Juliet B. Schor - Plenitude: The New Economics of True Wealth
Overall...
Ethical fashion SHOULD be something that every employer, whether that's at a factory or a retailer, as it'll improve everything around us, our planet and our people. If customers were more aware of the negatives of fast fashion and buying clothes, and were thoroughly informed on how the clothes we buy are made and who by, I think things would slightly change. This should be made public and it should be a law that every item of clothing's tag should include, who and how the clothing was made and how they employees have been treated. This would make people aware and maybe even stop people from buying clothes from retailers who use factories that treat their worker terribly. This would then mean that that shops sales would drop and they'd have to rethink their business manufacturers and suppliers.
If organic cottons and other eco friendly materials are used to replace some harmful ones, it means that less water would be used. FAR less water would be used, meaning that we have more water to survive ourselves and for the planet around us.
Encouraging fair trade should be the next biggest thing that EVERY business should do. Being sustainable to the environment and allowing workers conditions and rights to be fair is exactly what is needed and if this happens, fast fashion will work a treat. Allowing everybody to be sure that the clothes they are buying is made from is sustainable and is made by people who are happy to go to work and earn some money. Why not be fair when trading and treat others how you would want to be treated?
I've never really be so cautious and weary of the ethics behind fashion, but now being a fashion student, it's something I really want everyone to know about. Ethical fashion is so important and fashion students like me, will be next generation of fashion movers, so we have a say and invent businesses that are ethical. Being informed and lectured about this earlier on in my fashion life is really beneficial as I can take this with me wherever I go and I KNOW I will. It's somethng that has recently been playing on my mind (annoying but really good too) which is showing how powerful it is. I'm now a person that has been influenced by the '30 wears challenge'. Every time I go to buy something I question myself 'will I wear this more than 30 times?' and if the answer is no, I won't buy it but instead dream about it.
(1) https://www.ethicalfashionforum.com/the-issues/ethical-fashion - Ethical Fashion Forum - What is ethical fashion?
(2) http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/makingwaves/fast-fashion-drowning-world-fashion-revolution/blog/56222/ - by Shuk-Wah Chung - 21st April, 2016 - Blog post
(3) http://www.julietschor.org/the-book/synopsis/ - by Juliet B. Schor - Plenitude: The New Economics of True Wealth
Friday 21 April 2017
Professional Practise - Ethical fashion lecture
'Who made our clothes?'
Main topics:
- Never been able to buy clothes cheaply.
- Throw away fashion.
- Fast fashion - trends change so quickly.
- Less than 20 years ago, they only followed trends from catwalks or by fashion magazines + fashion editorials.
Where do our clothes come from and why so cheap?
- Wash care labels should show Country Of Origin (COO). If they don't, they're ashamed to show their manufacturers which could be due to the workers conditions. Primark are an example of this.
- Clothes are made far away because it's cheaper as they have regulations + unions.
- Most of our clothes come from China - they're experts in clothes as they're very experienced.
Manufacturing hot spots:
- Mauritius
- Taiwan
- Indonesia - printed clothing
- Korea
- China - make everything!!
- Bangladesh - knitwear to start with, jersey wear and kidswear
- India - embroidery, hand beading
- (UK) - new to the scenes - Scotland - knitwear - Vivienne Westwood's knitwear, prime example!
- Romania
- (Turkey) - new to the scenes
- Vietnam
- Sri Lanka - woven, printed clothing
- Pakistan
A lot of these manufacturers are in developing countries...
WHY? Cheap workforce, poor, often suffer from natural diseases as well as war, no minimum wage, no workers rights, no free educations/healthcare.
Why are women and children chosen for these jobs?
- Even less rights than men.
- Paid less than men.
- Children paid less than women.
- Below THEIR OWN living wage - can be 50p p/day.
Ethical brands:
- Stella McCartney
- M&S
- H&M
- Annie Greenabelle
- Nancy Dee
- Monkee genes
- Stuart + Brown
- Bibico
- People Tree
- Choolips
- Beyond skin
- Frugi
- Patagonia
- Thought
- Gather and sea
Why are they important in fashion?
- Next generation of fashion movers can change the current fashion generation.
- TV documentary about sweatshops.
- Why should we care? THE TRUE COST.
Fashion pollutes -
- Clothing industry - 2nd largest polluter in the world - 2nd only to oil.
- 70 million barrels of oil to produce polyester each year.
- Complicated - different supply chains - carbon foot print.
Environment -
- Chemical waste dumped directly into water systems.
- Fossil fuels consumption, CO2 pollution.
- Fish stocks killed off.
- Land fill.
- River polluted by clothes dye.
Fair trade -
- Farmers and workers receive a fair pay for work that they do.
- Decent working conditions.
- Local sustainability.
Throw away fashion -
- How much do we throw away? 2 million tonnes of textiles a year.
- Textiles have come fastest growing waste product in UK.
- 74% of those 2 billion clothes we buy a year end up in landfill.
- 50% of clothes that end up in landfill are recycled.
- Average women keeps a piece of clothing in her wardrobe for only 5 weeks.
Fashion clothes miles: - carbon footprint.
- Cargo ships from far East can take up to 4 or 5 weeks to travel across the globe.
- Same for India and Bangladesh.
- Turkey is a week via a truck or 2-3 days via fast truck.
- UK stock can be transported in a day.
- 1000's of air miles adding to CO2 emissions and are already carbon footprint.
Bamboo as a material -
- Needs no help from a man.
- Need no extra watering.
- Fastest growing plant.
- Grows like a weed.
- Crops mature in 3 months.
= ECO FRIENDLY.
What can we do?
- Check labels
- Try and buy clothes from naturals like cotton, viscose and wool.
- Don't buy acrylics, polyester, nylons as they are difficult to recycle.
- Buy clothes nearer to home, even if that does mean it costs more.
- Look out for organically produced cottons.
- Ask stores why they don't have fair-trade.
(LOVE YOUR CLOTHES MORE)
- Buy hero pieces rather than one off pieces.
- 30 wears challenge - try it.
- Rework and change unwanted clothing.
- Never been able to buy clothes cheaply.
- Throw away fashion.
- Fast fashion - trends change so quickly.
- Less than 20 years ago, they only followed trends from catwalks or by fashion magazines + fashion editorials.
Where do our clothes come from and why so cheap?
- Wash care labels should show Country Of Origin (COO). If they don't, they're ashamed to show their manufacturers which could be due to the workers conditions. Primark are an example of this.
- Clothes are made far away because it's cheaper as they have regulations + unions.
- Most of our clothes come from China - they're experts in clothes as they're very experienced.
Manufacturing hot spots:
- Mauritius
- Taiwan
- Indonesia - printed clothing
- Korea
- China - make everything!!
- Bangladesh - knitwear to start with, jersey wear and kidswear
- India - embroidery, hand beading
- (UK) - new to the scenes - Scotland - knitwear - Vivienne Westwood's knitwear, prime example!
- Romania
- (Turkey) - new to the scenes
- Vietnam
- Sri Lanka - woven, printed clothing
- Pakistan
A lot of these manufacturers are in developing countries...
WHY? Cheap workforce, poor, often suffer from natural diseases as well as war, no minimum wage, no workers rights, no free educations/healthcare.
Why are women and children chosen for these jobs?
- Even less rights than men.
- Paid less than men.
- Children paid less than women.
- Below THEIR OWN living wage - can be 50p p/day.
Ethical brands:
- Stella McCartney
- M&S
- H&M
- Annie Greenabelle
- Nancy Dee
- Monkee genes
- Stuart + Brown
- Bibico
- People Tree
- Choolips
- Beyond skin
- Frugi
- Patagonia
- Thought
- Gather and sea
Why are they important in fashion?
- Next generation of fashion movers can change the current fashion generation.
- TV documentary about sweatshops.
- Why should we care? THE TRUE COST.
Fashion pollutes -
- Clothing industry - 2nd largest polluter in the world - 2nd only to oil.
- 70 million barrels of oil to produce polyester each year.
- Complicated - different supply chains - carbon foot print.
Environment -
- Chemical waste dumped directly into water systems.
- Fossil fuels consumption, CO2 pollution.
- Fish stocks killed off.
- Land fill.
- River polluted by clothes dye.
Fair trade -
- Farmers and workers receive a fair pay for work that they do.
- Decent working conditions.
- Local sustainability.
Throw away fashion -
- How much do we throw away? 2 million tonnes of textiles a year.
- Textiles have come fastest growing waste product in UK.
- 74% of those 2 billion clothes we buy a year end up in landfill.
- 50% of clothes that end up in landfill are recycled.
- Average women keeps a piece of clothing in her wardrobe for only 5 weeks.
Fashion clothes miles: - carbon footprint.
- Cargo ships from far East can take up to 4 or 5 weeks to travel across the globe.
- Same for India and Bangladesh.
- Turkey is a week via a truck or 2-3 days via fast truck.
- UK stock can be transported in a day.
- 1000's of air miles adding to CO2 emissions and are already carbon footprint.
Bamboo as a material -
- Needs no help from a man.
- Need no extra watering.
- Fastest growing plant.
- Grows like a weed.
- Crops mature in 3 months.
= ECO FRIENDLY.
What can we do?
- Check labels
- Try and buy clothes from naturals like cotton, viscose and wool.
- Don't buy acrylics, polyester, nylons as they are difficult to recycle.
- Buy clothes nearer to home, even if that does mean it costs more.
- Look out for organically produced cottons.
- Ask stores why they don't have fair-trade.
(LOVE YOUR CLOTHES MORE)
- Buy hero pieces rather than one off pieces.
- 30 wears challenge - try it.
- Rework and change unwanted clothing.
Friday 14 April 2017
Tuesday 11 April 2017
Professional Practise - Interview extra work
Interview extra work:
Baum und Pferdgarten customer profile board - who I think the customers are for this brand. When going for job interviews in the future, try to do extra work like so.
Saturday 8 April 2017
Professional Practise - Cover letter
Brand I have been given:
------- Baum and Pferdgarten -------
'Online Styling Work Placement'
Job description:
- - Genuine passion in styling, fashion and the industry.
- - Knowledge of fashion designers, brands and fashion news
- - Strong attention to detail, and the ability to multi task
- - Ability to work under pressure
- - Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, excel and outlook
- - At least one year experience in retail working as a team
- - Must have the confidence to learn in a busy environment and able to use initiative.
Key responsibilities:
- - Provide support to stylists across the workforce
- - Prepare stock for shooting – remove packaging and labels, steam garments and organize the Stylist’s rail.
- - Locate product needed on set from our Product library
- - Direct and assist models in getting dressed and undressed according to Stylist’s instructions
- - Input detailed outfit list to create shopping links on the websites.
- - Return each product to correct departments after shooting.
- - Keep studio, sets, props and equipment tidy and organized at all times.
- - Assist in different areas of studio as required.
My cover letter:
Wednesday 29 March 2017
Thursday 23 March 2017
Professional Practise - Baum und Pferdgarten
Baum und Pferdgarten
About...- Danish label
- Established in Copenhagen in 1999 by Rikke Baumgarten and Helle Hestehave.
- The name reflects a 'humorous' interplay between the surnames.
- The playfulness is echoed in their designs also.
- Since the start, both of the designers has been either complimenting or challenging each in collections - clashing contracts, strong colours and memorable prints.
- It's available in 20 countries worldwide and leading boutique and department stores which offers women collections in Copenhagen, London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
- Available in the UK in department stores such as John Lewis and The Mercantile London, and online stores such as Zalando and Asos.
Professional Practise - Personal statement
A confident, motivated, organised and fashion focused Arts University Bournemouth student who is proud to be studying a course that is fast pacing but also something that she admires most. The skills that I have learnt throughout my education in Media, Art, IT and Business, as well as my first year of fashion, will help me go down the visual communicator, styling or marketing route, though I am open to try different things in this industry.
Wednesday 22 March 2017
Professional Practise
- CV
- Cover letter
- Portfolio pages (A3 landscape) - physical and online - issuu
- PDP - personal development plan
- About me page (Linkedin)
- Ethics and sustainability within the fashion industry blogposts
- Participating in industry engagement - being an intern for a third year
- Cover letter
- Portfolio pages (A3 landscape) - physical and online - issuu
- PDP - personal development plan
- About me page (Linkedin)
- Ethics and sustainability within the fashion industry blogposts
- Participating in industry engagement - being an intern for a third year
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