2011
Due to not passing my second year I am intermitting my studies without attendance to retake 2 units I failed, PPRD 2 and the Professional Project. The reason I think I failed was lack of help and not being knowledgeable when it came to programmes such as Photoshop and most importantly InDesign, so I am taking two short course in both these programmes to help me expand my knowledge and so I have a better understanding of the programmes. I hope to complete both these short courses and gain certificate to show I have undertaken these courses. So far my knowledge has grown greatly and I have learnt so much more in a month then I have done in two years. I have already started researching my new project. I have decided to start a new because redoing my old project would be an easy way out. I never pass anything with great marks so I’m determined to pass this project with a merit, or a distinction. I have chosen the subject of plastic and fake for my topic and so far I have completed a lot of research and have a path for my project.
Goals
• complete both short courses gaining certificates
• complete more project research
• prepare work for tutorial beginning of the new year
• start to rewrite learning agreement
2012
In 2012 I will be re-enrolling into my course to carry out and complete my two failed units. On the 10th of January I have an hour tutorial with my course leader to look through and discuss what I have done so far and how I’m progressing. I will be showing her a rewritten learning agreement, a lot of research and my idea for my project while getting her views and ideas, also ill be showing a new PPRD 2 folder which will be much fuller and well written then the last attempt. I have this thing when I get bored I do a half hearted attempt at it and leave it, but this year I am determined to pass with more then just a pass so I am going to try my hardest. After my tutorial, if it goes aswel as it does in my head, then I will be arranging a photoshoot for as soon as possible as I have a lot of ideas for it, such as a lot of sweets and pink, and I already have my photographer and models sorted I just need to book a date, which hopefully be for around the 20th January. After my photoshoot has been completed the photos will be edited and then I can start to but together my supplement magazine on vanity. Ive gone for a different approach this time as I know plastic and being fake interests a lot of people so I’m going to give them something to read so they know here to go for trendy clothes so they don’t look so plastic, a lot of Barbie will be involved.
Once I have put my entire project together including the learning agreement and my PPRD 2 folder I will be handing it in for marking and hopefully I will pass this time. I’m planning to graduate on the 29th June with everyone who went on to do their third year. I am choosing to graduate because I don’t think the third year would be the right choice and I know I would severely struggle with writing my dissertation. If I do end up graduating or not my next step would be to try and find a job or placement in a boutique. I want to do this because I want to open my own within a year after finishing University. I am going to try and get a placement at Lily Allan’s boutique in London called Lucy in Disguise, this would be an amazing opportunity because A its Lily Allan and B I would get to see how a boutique runs and I would make some amazing contacts for when I open my own. This would take place over the summer or hopefully for a lot longer maybe until the end of the year. During this time I would write my own business plan and how it would work out financially and I would then pitch this idea to my Uncles who I know would loan me the money and help support me during the start up of my own business.
Goals
• To graduate with merit or distinction
• To get a placement in a boutique
• Write a business plan and financial proposition for my own boutique
• Get a loan from my Uncles
• Find a location for my business
2013
At the beginning of this year I hope to have a business project in full swing. I will need to have contacts with designers to see if they want to stock in my boutique, I will also have to find a buyer to help out with the stock and supplies to start my business up as I would struggle on what I could have in my store. Hopefully I will have a secure location, hopefully start up in the Bournemouth area and when my store becomes a success it will be able to spread or move to different places. I will get my brother to set up a website for my boutique as he is a web designer, and my friend Emelia penny has her own vintage underwear line and I know she would be interested in having her range in my store. The next step would be picking a name for the boutique. Short one word names seem to have more of an impact when it comes to naming a boutique, a few I have in mind are Marmalade Boutique, Nine, or Boutique Eight. I think numbers are quite catchy, and having something short has more of a ring to it. After the main bulk of this is done the shop fit will have to take place, I do like the vintage feel to a shop so nice vintage wallpaper and the odd brick wall with chez longs and old phones would be my ideal store look, and not a cluttered shop just a few rails and a few fitting rooms, and stock can be kept in stock rooms for different sizes. The visual merchandising is the most important aspect of getting customers into your shop. A window like you see in Harvey Nichols would be ideal but depending on how much money there is to spend that will have to be decided upon and can always be changed in the future. Hopefully the shop with take about 6 to 10 months to get fully fitted and stocked up before a big launch and a successful start. Towards the end of the year I aim to work at the shop with my employees to get more involved with the running of the shop.
Goals
• Start the boutique
• after 4 months have all the stock sorted and start having the shop fitted
• open the boutique end or autumn/beginning of winter
• Have a successful launch and start to the boutique
2014
After a few months of opening the boutique I hope it is still running successfully. I want to be introducing maybe more designers into the shop and attending fashion shows to get more inspiration for my shop and maybe start thinking about putting on events for my store for more publicity. My older sister is an events organiser so I could collaborate with her to arrange events and fashion shows at the start of every new season, and maybe hold nights like the body shop do to get more customers, I could do a beauty fashion night and collaborate with my younger sister who is a beautician, herself and her employees could give clients massages and manicures and pedicures or even spray tans, and before or after they could shop around the latest collections in the boutique and possible make some purchases. Also end of season stuff would go into sale but the stuff that doesn’t really sell in the sale can go into auction and the money made in the auction can go towards Cancer Research UK as I would like to give more to charity and Cancer Research is close to my heart as I have lost a lot of family to different types of cancer.
After the summer if the boutique is still going well I would maybe think about having a catalogue. If people are interested in my boutique who have shopped there from visits from other parts of the country they can have the chance to subscribe and also have the chance to shop online. I know catalogues are expensive so I could see how well the online shopping works before I consider a catalogue.
By the end of the year I would have hoped to of have a successful first year and that my shop doesn’t close down.
Goals
• Launch event nights
• do charity events
• Beauty and shop nights
• launch online shopping
2015
With hopefully a good shop up and running I would think about maybe starting some in house designing. I would love to start my own collections have them in a store and why not in my own store. I would obviously design to go with the flow of my store, so vintage and designer inspired; I would hire a pattern cutter and a seamstress as I wouldn’t have the complete skill to do this. This would obviously be depending on how well the store is going and how much money I would be making. My dream would be to have a boutique and start my own in house collection. I’ve seen some boutiques who are more charity shop then designer/vintage boutique and that’s really off putting so putting my own stamp into the shop would be a huge and hopefully successful step. If the designs don’t go to plan and are a failure then I will discontinue the line and it wont be done again as it will all be trial and error, but however if it is a HUGE success then I shall continue to design my collections every season and have my pattern cutter and seamstress to help me. This would be my main goal for the whole year. If the designs don’t pan out then I would continue to run the shop as it has been run.
Goals
• start my own in house collection
• launch my in house collection
2016
If everything has gone to plan and my shop is in big demand then I would think about expanding to bigger places or even to London of I knew it could make it there, or simply just move my shop as a boutique is supposed to be unique. If the boutique moved and the store was to get bigger I would introduce more designers into the shop and maybe make my collection bigger if that was still going strong. I would maybe see if any designers wanted to do a unique collection for my boutique or even collaborate with me on a one off collection. This would be an amazing opportunity not just for my shop but for me and my career. I would only be 26 but this would be an ideal time to have a boost in my career especially if my boutique was doing so well. I would love to stock designers like Oscar de la Renta and Victoria Beckham as the have that different look to them and are so unique in there own ways.
Goals
• To expand and/or move my shop
• To collaborate with a designer on my collections
• To have a designer design just for my boutique
Friday 16 March 2012
Companies House
The main functions of Companies House are to incorporate and dissolve limited companies, examine and store company information delivered under the Companies Act and related legislation, and make this information available to the public. The United Kingdom has enjoyed a system of company registration since 1844. Today, company registration matters are dealt with in law, by the Companies Act 2006. All limited companies in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland are registered at Companies House, an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). There are more than 2 million limited companies registered in Great Britain, and more than 300,000 new companies are incorporated each year. Each year Companies House organizes or attends a variety of events to support and advise businesses. This includes attending business-focused exhibitions throughout the UK and organizing Seminars to support new directors and secretaries. They also travel throughout the UK promoting Companies House's services, advising businesses on how to meet their obligations under the Companies Act, and to provide opportunities to meet and discuss issues with their staff.
They help businesses start up which would be really useful for me to look into more as I would like to eventually start up and open my own boutique. I will look into going to some seminars just to see how they run and what advise they can give me to starting up my own business.
They help businesses start up which would be really useful for me to look into more as I would like to eventually start up and open my own boutique. I will look into going to some seminars just to see how they run and what advise they can give me to starting up my own business.
Mintel
Intelligence Today For Tomorrow
They believe staying ahead of the market requires more than current data analysis, leading industry expertise or reliable service. It requires the seamless melding of all these. Mintel is an independent award-winning provider of world-leading market intelligence, delivering robust information, analysis and critical recommendations. Mintel's trusted portfolio of proprietary industry solutions and products has been supporting high profile clients in key sectors such as FMCG, financial services, media, retail, leisure and education for over 38 years. With an expanding global presence, their worldwide office locations include London, Chicago, New York, Shanghai, Tokyo and Sydney. Their ability to connect the dots means we receive more than just points on a chart or words on a page. They provide you with the Intelligence we need, in time to stay ahead of the market. The result? We will not only make informed decisions, but the right ones, at the right time. Delivered in a variety of formats and supported by their best-in-class service, Mintel gets us what we need, when we need it. For over 38 years, no one has connected more dots, allowing their clients to make better decisions.
Mintel has been awarded Business Superbrands status for the last 8 years in a row and is now awarded again for 2010. This prestigious award recognizes the impact of all Mintel brands within their markets. A Business Superbrand has established the finest reputation in its field and must represent quality, reliability, and distinction.
Mintel is such a good site for everything, keeping up with industry news that will be useful for me to discuss with others or use in projects, or bring up in job interviews.
They believe staying ahead of the market requires more than current data analysis, leading industry expertise or reliable service. It requires the seamless melding of all these. Mintel is an independent award-winning provider of world-leading market intelligence, delivering robust information, analysis and critical recommendations. Mintel's trusted portfolio of proprietary industry solutions and products has been supporting high profile clients in key sectors such as FMCG, financial services, media, retail, leisure and education for over 38 years. With an expanding global presence, their worldwide office locations include London, Chicago, New York, Shanghai, Tokyo and Sydney. Their ability to connect the dots means we receive more than just points on a chart or words on a page. They provide you with the Intelligence we need, in time to stay ahead of the market. The result? We will not only make informed decisions, but the right ones, at the right time. Delivered in a variety of formats and supported by their best-in-class service, Mintel gets us what we need, when we need it. For over 38 years, no one has connected more dots, allowing their clients to make better decisions.
Mintel has been awarded Business Superbrands status for the last 8 years in a row and is now awarded again for 2010. This prestigious award recognizes the impact of all Mintel brands within their markets. A Business Superbrand has established the finest reputation in its field and must represent quality, reliability, and distinction.
Mintel is such a good site for everything, keeping up with industry news that will be useful for me to discuss with others or use in projects, or bring up in job interviews.
Fashion Monitor
Fashion Monitor is the leading provider of contacts, news and events within the fashion, beauty and lifestyle industries. Established in 1989, Fashion Monitor is heavily relied upon by professionals needing the latest and most accurate information available.
Fashion Monitor Premium paid for subscribers have access to Press contacts such as broadcast, print and online, Brands and designers contacts, PR contacts, Freelance journalists and blogger contacts, Creative agency contacts, Freelance creative contacts such as stylists, photographers, make-up artists, and Location agencies and event organizer contacts. Also they have access to news such as product, campaign and collection launches, PR agency account wins, Media title launches (print and online), Key industry announcements and contact changes, Retail openings and expansion plans, and celebrity endorsements. Along with contacts and news there are also events such as press days, Catwalk shows, Fashion weeks, Industry parties, Press launches/openings, Trade exhibitions, Networking events, Competitions/awards, and interview opportunities. This is such a good site for fashion graduates or anyone with a PR, Creative Resources or Media degree to find out what’s going on and help them find the right job. There are so many opportunities to be found and some great experiences to get involved with especially in the events, and getting involved can create some amazing contacts for life that can help you grow if you decided to go alone by setting up your own business. This site always keeps me update with what’s going on and I can search for jobs that I would like to take up in the future that I know I would pursue as a career. Fashion Monitor is a top site and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to keep on top of the goings on in the industry and looking for a graduate job.
Fashion Monitor Premium paid for subscribers have access to Press contacts such as broadcast, print and online, Brands and designers contacts, PR contacts, Freelance journalists and blogger contacts, Creative agency contacts, Freelance creative contacts such as stylists, photographers, make-up artists, and Location agencies and event organizer contacts. Also they have access to news such as product, campaign and collection launches, PR agency account wins, Media title launches (print and online), Key industry announcements and contact changes, Retail openings and expansion plans, and celebrity endorsements. Along with contacts and news there are also events such as press days, Catwalk shows, Fashion weeks, Industry parties, Press launches/openings, Trade exhibitions, Networking events, Competitions/awards, and interview opportunities. This is such a good site for fashion graduates or anyone with a PR, Creative Resources or Media degree to find out what’s going on and help them find the right job. There are so many opportunities to be found and some great experiences to get involved with especially in the events, and getting involved can create some amazing contacts for life that can help you grow if you decided to go alone by setting up your own business. This site always keeps me update with what’s going on and I can search for jobs that I would like to take up in the future that I know I would pursue as a career. Fashion Monitor is a top site and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to keep on top of the goings on in the industry and looking for a graduate job.
jobs i would like
Personal Shopper - TOPSHOP
added: November 2011
(Retail)
A unique opportunity has arisen to join us as a TOPSHOP Personal Shopper at our Flagship store in Oxford Circus.
As a Personal Shopper you will be there to deliver exceptional service standards and build up a solid customer base through marketing of the Personal Shopper service both within the store and the local area. Your aim as a Personal Shopper will be to promote the brand's identity and to maintain the highest standards of Customer Service.
Key responsibilities
• Offering the highest level of customer service with genuine passion and enthusiasm for the Brand
• Building a strong client base through networking opportunities
• Carry out appointments with a variety of clients - tailoring the service to their individual needs and style
• Meeting set targets on sales to drive the success of the department
• Carry out Press interviews and Photo shoots to promote the service in a positive way
• Build great relationships with the head office brand departments and the store team
• Line management of Personal Shopping Assistant, coach and develop where needed
You will have
• High level of customer service experience in a similar environment
• Personal Shopping experience in a fast paced fashion environment
• Experience in managing a team
• Ability to build a strong client base
• Proven advanced sales techniques in this area
• A strong sense of style, and an ability to interpret that of others
Good time keeping skills
Fashion PR Intern - VPR (New York)
added: November 2011
(PR/Marketing)
VPR is seeking interns who want to gain hands on experience in fashion public relations. Based in New York City, VPR is a boutique agency representing a wide range of fashion and accessory clients, including Three Dots, Camilla, Minnie Mortimer, Yosi Samra, Me Too, and Tt Collection.
Intern Responsibilities:
• Managing sample traffic and organization of the showroom.
• Pulling appropriate styles for editorial requests.
• Media monitoring and research.
• Writing pitches for media distribution.
• Assisting with event planning, from store launches to shows during fashion week (opportunity to work at events if schedule permits)
• Assisting with client social media marketing.
Requirements:
• College student or recent graduate majoring in journalism, communications, PR, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Strong interest in fashion, PR, and social media.
Availability of 2-5 days per week (office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Sophie Lopez Styling - Work Experience
Date listed : 2011-10-26 09:46:16
Area : London
We are offering a 2 week work experience placement to help assist on shoots, call in samples from PR's, pick ups & returns.
The ideal candidate must live in London, will be reliable, organised and hard working with a little experience assisting previously.
Starting asap. You will be working alongside 1st assistant.
Please email your CV to Elle Noble at lopezassistant@sophielopez.co.uk
2nd ASSISTANT TO KARL PLEWKA
Date listed : 2011-10-24 09:25:05
Area : London
Fashion Stylist Karl Plewka is looking for a second assistant to start asap.
Karl is currently contributing editor at Vs magazine, Karl also contributes to I.D, Wonderland, Vogue Nippon, Ponystep etc.
The role will involve assisting on shoots, calling in samples from PR's, pick ups & returns.
The ideal candidate must live in London, will be reliable, organised and hard working with a little experience assisting previously.
The role is part time, starting asap. You will be working alongside first assistant.
Please email your CV to Lizy at karlstudio04@yahoo.com
fashion intern
Date listed : 2011-10-19 14:43:33
Area : London
Hellooooo! My name is Tamara Cincik
I am a freelance stylist, you can see my work online at:-
www.tamaracincik.com
i am looking for a fashion intern for a shoot tomorrow (sorry last minute!) and also to help my with the prep, edit and bagging etc for another editorial shoot next week. Great experience for any keen fashionista students out there!!! please email my assistant: siam.g@hotmail.com asap thanks ♥
STYLIST ASSISTANT REQUIRED
Date listed : 2011-10-19 09:51:08
Area : London
Fashion Stylist Lilly Marthe-Ebener requires a second assistant, based in London.
The role will involve assisting on shoots, calling in samples from PR's, pick ups & returns. You will be working on editorial jobs for publications such as Vogue Nippon, Paradis & Tank as well as commercial jobs.
The ideal candidate will be reliable, organised and hard working.
The role is part time, starting asap. You will be working alongside first assistant.
Please email your CV to adelaide.humbert.assistant@gmail.com
Please note the position is not paid.
STYLIST ASSISTANT
Date listed : 2011-10-16 17:26:23
Area : London
Hello,
I am a freelance stylist working for various publications, bands and campaigns.
Interned required to assist on shoots, call-ins, appointments, pick up, returns, etc
Needs to be reliable and hard working... And to have a personality!
These job adverts are the only ones I could find that took to my fancy on all of the fashion job sites. But any experience is good experience. The fashion industry is so competitive so anything I would find I should take so it can expand my knowledge of the industry and get some experience to put on my cv.
My perfect job would be:
A freelance stylist looking for work with another freelance stylist with a lot of experience who is able to give me challenging jobs and to show me how the industry works in full swing. Can work well in teams or as an individual and tackles any challenge with the sight to succeed. Very organised and good at time keeping and has good people skills.
added: November 2011
(Retail)
A unique opportunity has arisen to join us as a TOPSHOP Personal Shopper at our Flagship store in Oxford Circus.
As a Personal Shopper you will be there to deliver exceptional service standards and build up a solid customer base through marketing of the Personal Shopper service both within the store and the local area. Your aim as a Personal Shopper will be to promote the brand's identity and to maintain the highest standards of Customer Service.
Key responsibilities
• Offering the highest level of customer service with genuine passion and enthusiasm for the Brand
• Building a strong client base through networking opportunities
• Carry out appointments with a variety of clients - tailoring the service to their individual needs and style
• Meeting set targets on sales to drive the success of the department
• Carry out Press interviews and Photo shoots to promote the service in a positive way
• Build great relationships with the head office brand departments and the store team
• Line management of Personal Shopping Assistant, coach and develop where needed
You will have
• High level of customer service experience in a similar environment
• Personal Shopping experience in a fast paced fashion environment
• Experience in managing a team
• Ability to build a strong client base
• Proven advanced sales techniques in this area
• A strong sense of style, and an ability to interpret that of others
Good time keeping skills
Fashion PR Intern - VPR (New York)
added: November 2011
(PR/Marketing)
VPR is seeking interns who want to gain hands on experience in fashion public relations. Based in New York City, VPR is a boutique agency representing a wide range of fashion and accessory clients, including Three Dots, Camilla, Minnie Mortimer, Yosi Samra, Me Too, and Tt Collection.
Intern Responsibilities:
• Managing sample traffic and organization of the showroom.
• Pulling appropriate styles for editorial requests.
• Media monitoring and research.
• Writing pitches for media distribution.
• Assisting with event planning, from store launches to shows during fashion week (opportunity to work at events if schedule permits)
• Assisting with client social media marketing.
Requirements:
• College student or recent graduate majoring in journalism, communications, PR, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Strong interest in fashion, PR, and social media.
Availability of 2-5 days per week (office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Sophie Lopez Styling - Work Experience
Date listed : 2011-10-26 09:46:16
Area : London
We are offering a 2 week work experience placement to help assist on shoots, call in samples from PR's, pick ups & returns.
The ideal candidate must live in London, will be reliable, organised and hard working with a little experience assisting previously.
Starting asap. You will be working alongside 1st assistant.
Please email your CV to Elle Noble at lopezassistant@sophielopez.co.uk
2nd ASSISTANT TO KARL PLEWKA
Date listed : 2011-10-24 09:25:05
Area : London
Fashion Stylist Karl Plewka is looking for a second assistant to start asap.
Karl is currently contributing editor at Vs magazine, Karl also contributes to I.D, Wonderland, Vogue Nippon, Ponystep etc.
The role will involve assisting on shoots, calling in samples from PR's, pick ups & returns.
The ideal candidate must live in London, will be reliable, organised and hard working with a little experience assisting previously.
The role is part time, starting asap. You will be working alongside first assistant.
Please email your CV to Lizy at karlstudio04@yahoo.com
fashion intern
Date listed : 2011-10-19 14:43:33
Area : London
Hellooooo! My name is Tamara Cincik
I am a freelance stylist, you can see my work online at:-
www.tamaracincik.com
i am looking for a fashion intern for a shoot tomorrow (sorry last minute!) and also to help my with the prep, edit and bagging etc for another editorial shoot next week. Great experience for any keen fashionista students out there!!! please email my assistant: siam.g@hotmail.com asap thanks ♥
STYLIST ASSISTANT REQUIRED
Date listed : 2011-10-19 09:51:08
Area : London
Fashion Stylist Lilly Marthe-Ebener requires a second assistant, based in London.
The role will involve assisting on shoots, calling in samples from PR's, pick ups & returns. You will be working on editorial jobs for publications such as Vogue Nippon, Paradis & Tank as well as commercial jobs.
The ideal candidate will be reliable, organised and hard working.
The role is part time, starting asap. You will be working alongside first assistant.
Please email your CV to adelaide.humbert.assistant@gmail.com
Please note the position is not paid.
STYLIST ASSISTANT
Date listed : 2011-10-16 17:26:23
Area : London
Hello,
I am a freelance stylist working for various publications, bands and campaigns.
Interned required to assist on shoots, call-ins, appointments, pick up, returns, etc
Needs to be reliable and hard working... And to have a personality!
These job adverts are the only ones I could find that took to my fancy on all of the fashion job sites. But any experience is good experience. The fashion industry is so competitive so anything I would find I should take so it can expand my knowledge of the industry and get some experience to put on my cv.
My perfect job would be:
A freelance stylist looking for work with another freelance stylist with a lot of experience who is able to give me challenging jobs and to show me how the industry works in full swing. Can work well in teams or as an individual and tackles any challenge with the sight to succeed. Very organised and good at time keeping and has good people skills.
the recession
The whole world is facing global recession. The economy is slowing, the business environment is unpredictable and the consumers are getting more diverse, informed, technologically strong and demanding. The global meltdown hasn’t spared the fashion industry. This industry, along with other textile products industry, is also feeling the pinch of financial adversity. The fashion industry consists of different companies such as modelling, fashion designing, retailing, marketing, planning, and distribution. There are brands and local sellers too, all struggling with their products for survival. All of them are feeling the impact in different ways but something they have in common is their narrowing wallets. Very cautious consumers have replaced lavish spending habits. One of the few items which consumers cut back on in tough times include clothes and fashion accessories. Many fashion companies have also started to fall into credit problems. In the last few months, various companies worldwide have filed for bankruptcy. Many big names in the fashion industry are facing financial problems, and a lot of companies are negotiating for a partnership deals with investors in order to help their finances, also announcing of plans to remove jobs have become more common news. So with the collapse of the retail market and the slow recovery of the credit market, it sounds like the fashion industry is going downhill. With people spending less on fashion and luxuries people are coming to a standstill with there own trends.
People are resorting to knock off designer brands and cheap high street stores ignoring what they believe in such as ethical issues and child labour.
The down economy has also inspired many entrepreneurs while many large retailers are struggling, small boutiques are thinking outside the box to keep their businesses a float. Small business owners are opting to more of a popular approach to their marketing and visual merchandising. Boutiques are taking a local angle in their advertising, by hosting more in-store events rather than spending on traditional advertising. All retailers have cut back on their buying and are being less risky in investing in new product. This puts a burden on designers and manufactures to create more unique must have pieces at a recession friendly price.
People are resorting to knock off designer brands and cheap high street stores ignoring what they believe in such as ethical issues and child labour.
The down economy has also inspired many entrepreneurs while many large retailers are struggling, small boutiques are thinking outside the box to keep their businesses a float. Small business owners are opting to more of a popular approach to their marketing and visual merchandising. Boutiques are taking a local angle in their advertising, by hosting more in-store events rather than spending on traditional advertising. All retailers have cut back on their buying and are being less risky in investing in new product. This puts a burden on designers and manufactures to create more unique must have pieces at a recession friendly price.
ethical fashion issues
Ethical Fashion is an umbrella term to describe ethical fashion design, production, retail, and purchasing. It covers a range of issues such as working conditions, exploitation, fair trade, sustainable production, the environment, and animal welfare. Ethical fashion is needed now because the high street clothing industry accounts for a massive share of Western retail. Every year, 100 million shoppers visit London's Oxford Street alone.
Globalization means that materials and labor can be purchased in different parts of the world where costs are very low. Also, industrialized methods of growing cotton mean that fabrics can be produced quickly and cheaply, and in very large quantities. These savings are passed on to the customer, meaning that high street fashion is available at increasingly low prices, and much of it is regarded as disposable.
However, Ethical Fashionistas would argue that all this has a cost that we are not able to see on the price tag. Some issues that surround ethical fashion are that ethical fashion aims to address the problems it sees with the way the fashion industry currently operates, such as exploitative labor, environmental damage, the use of hazardous chemicals, waste, and animal cruelty. Serious concerns are often raised about exploitative working conditions in the factories that make cheap clothes for the high street. Child workers, alongside exploited adults, can be subjected to violence and abuse such as forced overtime, as well as cramped and unhygienic surroundings, bad food, and very poor pay. The low cost of clothes on the high street means that less and less money goes to the people who actually make them. Cotton provides much of the world's fabric, but growing it uses 22.5% of the world's insecticides and 10% of the world's pesticides, chemicals that can be dangerous for the environment and harmful to the farmers who grow it. Current textile growing practices are considered unsustainable because of the damage they do to the immediate environment. Most textiles are treated with chemicals to soften and dye them, however these chemicals can be toxic to the environment and can be transferred to the skin of the people wearing them. Hazardous chemicals used commonly in the textile industry are: lead, nickel, chromium IV, aryl amines, phthalates and formaldehyde. The low costs and disposable nature of high street fashion means that much of it is destined for incinerators or landfill sites. The UK alone throws away 1 million tones of clothing every year.
Many animals are farmed to supply fur for the fashion industry, and many people feel that their welfare is an important part of the Ethical Fashion debate. The designer Stella McCartney does not use either fur or leather in her designs. In an advert for the animal rights organization PETA, she said: 'we address... ethical or ecological... questions in every other part of our lives except fashion. Mind-sets are changing, though, which is encouraging.'
London is such an ethical fashion centre now, with every main street store trying to be more organic and eco friendly than the next. The ethical fashion industry is making great progress in developing public awareness of fashion that is responsibly made. A number of businesses have sprung up to provide support and networking opportunities for producers. Others want to put pressure on businesses to provide good working conditions. Behind the Label is a campaign fighting for better working conditions for garment workers and encouraging consumers to ask for clothes which are eco friendly. One of its aims is to encourage shops to guarantee that all clothes sold in their shops are produced under fair conditions, including the right to a living wage, the right to organise, and safe and healthy working conditions. Fashioning an Ethical Industry is an educational project aimed at fashion college students and tutors. It’s a good way to help students improve the companies they will be working for. Their very accessible and interesting website provides a global overview of the garment industry, raises awareness of current practices and explains all the hot issues. The fact is that consumers have power: the more that we demand that the clothes we buy are made under decent conditions the more likely it is that retailers will respond. The more people ask questions the more retailers will feel that they need to pay attention to the issues.
Globalization means that materials and labor can be purchased in different parts of the world where costs are very low. Also, industrialized methods of growing cotton mean that fabrics can be produced quickly and cheaply, and in very large quantities. These savings are passed on to the customer, meaning that high street fashion is available at increasingly low prices, and much of it is regarded as disposable.
However, Ethical Fashionistas would argue that all this has a cost that we are not able to see on the price tag. Some issues that surround ethical fashion are that ethical fashion aims to address the problems it sees with the way the fashion industry currently operates, such as exploitative labor, environmental damage, the use of hazardous chemicals, waste, and animal cruelty. Serious concerns are often raised about exploitative working conditions in the factories that make cheap clothes for the high street. Child workers, alongside exploited adults, can be subjected to violence and abuse such as forced overtime, as well as cramped and unhygienic surroundings, bad food, and very poor pay. The low cost of clothes on the high street means that less and less money goes to the people who actually make them. Cotton provides much of the world's fabric, but growing it uses 22.5% of the world's insecticides and 10% of the world's pesticides, chemicals that can be dangerous for the environment and harmful to the farmers who grow it. Current textile growing practices are considered unsustainable because of the damage they do to the immediate environment. Most textiles are treated with chemicals to soften and dye them, however these chemicals can be toxic to the environment and can be transferred to the skin of the people wearing them. Hazardous chemicals used commonly in the textile industry are: lead, nickel, chromium IV, aryl amines, phthalates and formaldehyde. The low costs and disposable nature of high street fashion means that much of it is destined for incinerators or landfill sites. The UK alone throws away 1 million tones of clothing every year.
Many animals are farmed to supply fur for the fashion industry, and many people feel that their welfare is an important part of the Ethical Fashion debate. The designer Stella McCartney does not use either fur or leather in her designs. In an advert for the animal rights organization PETA, she said: 'we address... ethical or ecological... questions in every other part of our lives except fashion. Mind-sets are changing, though, which is encouraging.'
London is such an ethical fashion centre now, with every main street store trying to be more organic and eco friendly than the next. The ethical fashion industry is making great progress in developing public awareness of fashion that is responsibly made. A number of businesses have sprung up to provide support and networking opportunities for producers. Others want to put pressure on businesses to provide good working conditions. Behind the Label is a campaign fighting for better working conditions for garment workers and encouraging consumers to ask for clothes which are eco friendly. One of its aims is to encourage shops to guarantee that all clothes sold in their shops are produced under fair conditions, including the right to a living wage, the right to organise, and safe and healthy working conditions. Fashioning an Ethical Industry is an educational project aimed at fashion college students and tutors. It’s a good way to help students improve the companies they will be working for. Their very accessible and interesting website provides a global overview of the garment industry, raises awareness of current practices and explains all the hot issues. The fact is that consumers have power: the more that we demand that the clothes we buy are made under decent conditions the more likely it is that retailers will respond. The more people ask questions the more retailers will feel that they need to pay attention to the issues.
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