Untitled

[dcreamer]

The fashion industry is a very tough field to go into no matter if you’re involved in creating the clothing masterpieces for a designer company, organizing fashion shows, running the finances for the companies, an agency/ agent, and especially if you’re a model. In today's age we all talk about how individuals shouldn’t be judged by their body type or something unique that one has physically; however the fashion industry and models in it in particular are surrounded by this type of judgement constantly. Many people see models as role models or fashion or lifestyle inspiration, yet there are many people that love to live behind their screens are judge these people they don’t know and never will know. These models have their every move watched by fans and critics and have to be “on” 24/7. Not only are they criticized on every platform they have, they also deal with so many problems physically, some of this being caused by the overwhelming amount of online hate they receive. It’s no mystery that the modeling industry has led many models to starve themselves, create eating disorders that didn’t affect them prior to their careers, and anxiety/ depressive disorders. This is an almost impossible profession with the constant need to feel perfect and be perfect. With the addition of many face or body altering applications that many magazines and brands use on their images, there is even more of a heightened sense of perfection that these models face day to day. These eating disorders and sense of depression don’t only stop at the individuals modeling but also the audience that looks at these insanely gorgeous models and just wish they were like them or had their lives. Jealousy without knowing how the model’s lives are is very prevalent today, especially with how easily accessible the media and its contents are to us. There are even filters on different social media platforms that you can use to have a “model worthy” face or a skinnier and better looking body than you currently have. For individuals that are growing up and going through a tough time with their mental health now, this is very tough and causing so many issues in their lives.

Another major issue with the modeling industry is sexual assault or harassment within the workplace. Many models, upwards of 40% have reported inappropriate touching in the workplace. Models are independent contractors that companies hire for their look or fame. This is where agents or other staff believe they have the right to do as they please and take advantage of the situation at hand. 28% of models have reported they’ve been forced or coerced into having sex with their higher ups. There shouldn’t be a requirement for putting up with this behavior just because they are being used for their looks for a campaign. Many of these models have gone through extensive training and years of experience to get to where they are today, this is something that shouldn’t be seen as just a superficial career path. On top of these issues, 76% of models have reportedly been exposed to recreational drugs and most of the time forced into taking them, which starts a cycle of use within their lives and the whole industry.

The modeling industry is a very high paying industry for many reasons and the people involved and putting their faces with companies names should be respected and well taken care of and not on to appease an exec or someone of power just because they feel like they deserve it. I believe there needs to be a change in the industry and that the first step is calling out the individuals that allow these problems to take place or the ones creating these problems. There’s no doubt in my mind that most of the industry is this way but their are definitely influential people in the industry that could create change for everyone involved.

[dcreamer]

THE NAME OF THE GAME

Not only has our generation changed many peoples minds on various social issues, such as gender roles, who you can love regardless of your gender, etc., we have also changed the game of fashion and what people consider fashionable. Before our time, there were few people that dressed out of the norm, now there are normal, everyday people walking around in certain pieces or outfits that you’d only find a celebrity wearing previously. We as a generation have actually changed the name of the game in so many cases, especially fashion, we have used fashion to promote so many social issues, we have used fashion to express our identities, and some have used fashion to create an influence to followers. The influencer game has become a very highly paying industry. Influencers have given brands a sense of authenticity to the customers due to the heightened sense of trust that customers/ followers have in the influencers that they follow. However, a lot of these influencers state their political views on their social media platforms along with their fashion, lifestyle, and home style postings. A few major issues that these influencers post about is the Black Lives Matter movement, the Me Too movement, same sex marriage, and gender roles. All of these social and political issues have been major issues, not that they aren’t important but any time that an influencer doesn’t post regarding these issues there have been major issues, especially with the cancel culture that has been created. These issues are very important and prominent in today's world and should be discussed, but I do believe that the cancel culture is ridiculous when it comes to influencers. If an influencer doesn’t post something explaining their stance on a political or social matter then their followers get inpatient, annoyed, or even angry, and eventually they could get canceled. About a week ago Kanye West posted a picture wearing a shirt saying “White lives matter,” and he was the talk of the town. He is a black man that went against the grain of just showing justice for his race but also the white race. People were very angry with Kanye for this choice that he made, but it did what it was supposed to do, which was stir things up. This is just another downside to how our generation is changing the world we live in and how we have to handle our social media platforms differently than we ever have even if that means how influencers have to act on the social media presence.

Regardless of the social and political influence on the fashion industry, our generation has changed what is fashionable and acceptable to wear on a daily and occasional basis. We have grown the street wear type of clothes, riskier clothing choices, and even what colors we think go together. Street wear fashion is a major trend, this means baggier clothing, a cool-girl or cool-boy vibe, and cool sneakers to go with it and finish off the look. Street wear is even entering into the high fashion industry and can cost a pretty penny to purchase.

For me, it’s just crazy how much the fashion industry has changed and how many other things that the fashion industry is now affected by, even if it doesn’t really relate at all. Our nation is very divided and when that happens, I believe many industries, especially one that is used for people to express themselves are very affected by political and social issues.

#fashion #lifestyle #designer #streetwear #politics #socialjustice #blacklivesmatter #gaymarriage #clothing #genderroles #influencers #celebrityfashion #fashionindustry

[dcreamer]

The rise of fast fashion and an even faster rise of pollution and overconsumption.

Fashion is what you make it and what you take from it. Anyone has the right to express themselves in their own way and experience any and all types of fashion at any age. Along with all of the best fashion statements are specific fashion trends that are very prevalent, either in that season or a decade-long type trend. Fast fashion has become a significant problem within the industry, and many people either fight against it or for it. In an article on Good On You, fast fashion is described as “cheap, trendy clothing that samples ideas from the catwalk or celebrity culture and turns them into garments in high street stores at breakneck speed to meet consumer demand (Rauturier, 2022).” About 20 or so years ago, fashion changed forever, it became an individual’s passion/hobby, it became an industry that was very quickly changing, and it became so much cheaper than ever before. Yes, there are still brands that have pricing that rises with each passing year; however, the problem lands with the companies that are charging $5 for a top and $15 for a full set. Companies such as Fashion Nova, Shein, Zaful, Pretty Little Things, and so many more, are fast fashion brands that are constantly producing more and more items that align with the fashion that other major brands, which are charging insanely high prices for their clothing. Brands such as Off-White, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Balenciaga, etc. are all companies that have been used by other companies to create pieces for hundreds and hundreds of dollars less than the real company. Fast fashion companies also sell many accessories, swimwear, tech accessories, shoes, etc. that are so much cheaper than anywhere else.

The problem with all of these companies is that they charge almost nothing for their clothing and it is mostly all made in China. This creates a major problem with unhealthy work environments and poor pay for the people creating these items. Another major issue is that fast fashion creates a large amount of overproduction, overconsumption, and waste in our world. This leads to a massive amount of pollution in the environment, especially when people purchase items that are popular at that moment and then a few weeks or months later it's out of style and they throw them away. I know many people try to sell these items to resale stores, such as Plato’s and Uptown Cheapstake, but the problem is that these items are so cheap they have such a small resale price and then eventually they end up in landfills or being disposed of in other ways. This process of creating clothes so fast and in such a high quantity is due to the Industrial Revolution that created technology that has made it easier to mass produce clothing, rather than having to prepare and then weave fabric to create the clothing. Therefore, so many clothes are produced, some not ever bought in store, and then trashed as quickly as it was to create them. Pollution has always been a factor that we as humans have to watch and monitor to make sure that our world is still safe to live in and so that our future family members that a safe place to live as well. For example, Polyester is one of the most popular fabrics, this fabric is created from the derivatives of fossil fuels, which emit and aids in the addition of global warming. Many other fabrics attribute to these problems as well, all rooting back to main fast fashion.

It is so very easy to want to purchase these items from these low-cost companies, but what does this really intel? It means purchasing from places that are destroying our environment, allowing their workers to suffer in unsafe work environments, and most of all adding to pollution.

[dcreamer]

In the past few weeks the New York Fashion Week has been a hot topic. New York is home to some of the most unique and influential fashion icons. The fashion ranges all the way from athletic attire to business casual to runway ready. New York isn’t only home to great cuisine, scenic views and historical events, but they also are known as America’s couture fashion headquarters. The New York Fashion Week happens two times a year, in February and again in September, and is typically 7-9 days of Manhattan level semi-annual series of events. Mainly the goal of NYFW is for buyers, the press and the general public to see fashion from international fashion collections. Influencer marketing and PR has become a major industry in New York, leading many fashion-based individuals to make the leap into New York’s hectic, yet exciting lifestyle. A major factor into why influencer marketing has become such a major part of New York fashion week is all due to Instagram. Instagram has paved the way for influencers, which are individuals that have a good following on their social media platforms and are able to promote brands to profit a portion of the sales depending on their contracts with the companies that they advertise for. Many companies that attend the New York fashion week have hired influencers that have promoted their brands by wearing their clothing and posting pictures for all of their followers to see. This has become a major highlight of companies ability to promote their brand to other people that have never seen it before or that have never seen it styled in a way that they could possibly imagine. New York’s fashion week has become a major sight into what goes on in the fashion world and has been a place that companies like Chanel, Prada, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and many other amazing brands flaunt their creative minds’ artwork. People such as Hannah Harrell, Mary Ralph Lawson, and Kate Bartlett are individuals that have promoted brands during the New York Fashion Week, even having some brands pay for their visit so that they can attend. The week of New York’s fashion week, many companies have events that they throw that are extremely aesthetically pleasing and are places that their influencers can come shop at and create content that’ll serve these companies greatly. A major fashion-forward company that majorly promotes its brand at NYFW is Revolve. Revolve has become a major go-to company for many people that I know and follow on social media platforms. They have anything from casual to wedding guest attire to runway ready clothing. The influencers I wrote about above are three of the influencers that I know that work with Revolve on the regular. Revolve is just like any other brand that promotes their best and latest season of clothing to buyers, the press, and the general public. All of the NYFW events influence the upcoming fashion trends and styles for the approaching seasons.

Along with all that the companies offer during New York’s fashion week, individuals attending don’t stop at showing off either. If you’re ever in New York for these weeks you will see some of the most amazing pieces of clothing, most interesting and unique ways of styling pieces, and some of the most influential people that you may look up to. The fashion world is such a broad and never ending industry. Everyone has their own unique style and how they showcase that entirely during NYFW is absolutely a sight to see if you love and are inspired by fashion. So if I were you, I’d make the time to see this at least once in your life! Enjoy the ability to be yourself, whether that’s socially or in the pieces you put together! <3