These are selected pages from my sketchbook showing my ideas for my Industrial project. They show my development stages that lead to print ideas and pleating styles. It was clear to see through out my project work that I had a clear, clean simple colour palette similar to that of the constructivism art movement. It was this realisation that became my main focus of inspiration and lead to a strong body of work for an interior outcome.
Many of us like consumer products whether it be for fashion or interiors, to indulge our need for material things. The inflation of the population within the UK means we are unable to produce all the goods we need here at a satisfactory price. Importing products from poorer countries seems to be the solution because material and labouring costs are lower.
Economically is this the best solution with the country’s current preoccupation with global warming and Carbon emissions. Importing foreign goods means more air traffic miles, resulting in a damaging carbon footprint. Should this continue to be a long term solution or should we in the UK set a standard for the rest of the world to follow, as we did during the industrial revolution, and end our wasteful ways? Should we not use products that are sustainable and made here in the UK?
To compete with the throw-away fashion society we now live in it is vital for the new generation of textile designers to have a unique selling point for their survival within the textile industry. The recession has caused people to think about the way they live and as a result of this spending cuts have been made. Therefore sustainable design would be the perfect selling point for the current market because people want things to last longer. To pay more for something that will last seems more reasonable than buying a cheaper version that will need replacing often.
The decision one makes as to where to buy their shirt is not to be judged as the reason for doing so will depend on different factors. The biggest deciding factor will be the cost because during a recession people need to be careful about the amount they spend on a basic wardrobe item. £59 as a sale price for a basic shirt would be an extreme self indulgence for a person on a minimum wage income. Therefore the £2.50 Primark option is a tempting offer that is hard to refuse even with knowledge of their unethical values.
What it all comes down to is the conscience of the individual. For some it is about supporting the cause of workers and the idea that people should be paid an equal and just amount regardless of their birthplace or nationality. These people are willing to sacrifice that extra bit more money for that peace of mind. Other people would buy from Toast purely based on the belief that a higher priced item equals a better quality one and so the
Toast shirt at £59 is what they would buy. However for others this choice is a luxury they cannot afford and they have no choice but to buy the £2.50 shirt from Primark. Then there are the ignorant consumers who have the attitude ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ and they do not think about the effect on the producers and therefore buy the £2.50 Primark shirt. Some may say it comes down to a persons class but just because a person of the upper classes can afford the Toast shirt does not mean they are buying the item for an ethical reason.
My Conclusion
After looking at all the facts it is true that having a conscience costs more. If you wish to buy ethically sound textiles it will cost you more money. This was proven with the comparisons between the price of the plain white shirt in both Primark and Toast. It depends on the conscience of the person who is buying which decision is made. We all have values but for some people their opinion of right and wrong are stronger than their urge to grab a bargain and they can say no to unethical textiles, no matter how much of a bargain it may be. Others find it hard to say no and so the temptation should not be available in the first place.
Who is to blame for unethical textiles being on sale? The producers, the retailers or us? Well, the sale of unethical textiles is a chain and without one party being involved it would not survive. All it takes is for one party to change, be it the producer who will demand more money and make products of better quality, or the retailer to refuse to have products that are made in unsatisfactory working conditions, or us to boycott companies that are unethical and support the exploitation of people in poorer countries.
Good ethical values are vital to the survival of the world as we know it. If we continue to consume in the wasteful way we have done in the past we will not be able to let the next generation inherit a worthwhile textile industry. Therefore change is needed now. Many feel they are doing their bit because they do a bit of recycling every week or because they have energy saving lightbulbs in their home and office but as the environment is continuing to suffer it seems we are being told that this is not enough. We need to think about living in a greener way. Maybe greener technology is needed for the future development of the textile industry but for now sustainable design is vital to limit the waste of throw-away fashion.
There is much advertising at the moment telling us to buy. Companies and brands spend a fortune on manufacturing a desire for products that are not a necessity. Is this why the economy is unstable and companies are in heavy debt, because we consume more than we need? If we were to rely on UK for the production of our textiles it would help the planet and the economy by reducing pollution and increasing jobs. Therefore a lifestyle change is necessary. If we were to listen to our conscience we would be living in a society that is beneficial to all.
