A Story of Fashion Revolution: The initiative that challenges the cost of fashion

Catherine Glover

Abstract

This paper aims to give insight into how stories can be used to inspire a positive change in habits, attitude and mindset, resulting in micro to macro trans-global engagement between fashion stakeholders. It examines how the strategy of putting storied content in the hands of consumers can incite grass-roots movement and a change in mindset, energising contemporary fashion dialogues.

This paper draws from a unique educational 'live brief' designed in collaboration with the initiative Fashion Revolution in which 65 degree-level students were tasked to create pro-fashion content. The learning process involved exploring the initiative's position as a pioneer and disruptor within the industry. Fashion Revolution was established in response to the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh in April 2013 which killed 1,134 people. Its mission is to inspire a global sustainable movement: to encourage brands to care about the cost of fashion, transparency, and accountability within the supply chain; and for consumers to become pro-fashion protestors who actively engage through hashtag campaigns. This study provides insight in how design education can be used to illuminate contemporary understanding and motivate consumers to question the cost of fashion.

Original language	English
Publication status	Published - 7 Sept 2019
Event	'Cost of Design 2019', Design History Society - Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom Duration: 5 Sept 2019 → 7 Sept 2019 https://www.designhistorysociety.org/conferences/view/dhs-2019-the-cost-of-design#:~:text='The%20Cost%20of%20Design'%20explores,understood%20beyond%20their%20financial%20implications.

Conference

Conference	'Cost of Design 2019', Design History Society
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	Newcastle Upon Tyne
Period	5/09/19 → 7/09/19
Internet address	https://www.designhistorysociety.org/conferences/view/dhs-2019-the-cost-of-design#:~:text='The%20Cost%20of%20Design'%20explores,understood%20beyond%20their%20financial%20implications.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4 Quality Education
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13 Climate Action
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

Keywords

stories
storytelling
Fashion Revolution
fashion
sustainability

Cite this

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abstract = "This paper aims to give insight into how stories can be used to inspire a positive change in habits, attitude and mindset, resulting in micro to macro trans-global engagement between fashion stakeholders. It examines how the strategy of putting storied content in the hands of consumers can incite grass-roots movement and a change in mindset, energising contemporary fashion dialogues. This paper draws from a unique educational 'live brief' designed in collaboration with the initiative Fashion Revolution in which 65 degree-level students were tasked to create pro-fashion content. The learning process involved exploring the initiative's position as a pioneer and disruptor within the industry. Fashion Revolution was established in response to the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh in April 2013 which killed 1,134 people. Its mission is to inspire a global sustainable movement: to encourage brands to care about the cost of fashion, transparency, and accountability within the supply chain; and for consumers to become pro-fashion protestors who actively engage through hashtag campaigns. This study provides insight in how design education can be used to illuminate contemporary understanding and motivate consumers to question the cost of fashion. ",

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AB - This paper aims to give insight into how stories can be used to inspire a positive change in habits, attitude and mindset, resulting in micro to macro trans-global engagement between fashion stakeholders. It examines how the strategy of putting storied content in the hands of consumers can incite grass-roots movement and a change in mindset, energising contemporary fashion dialogues. This paper draws from a unique educational 'live brief' designed in collaboration with the initiative Fashion Revolution in which 65 degree-level students were tasked to create pro-fashion content. The learning process involved exploring the initiative's position as a pioneer and disruptor within the industry. Fashion Revolution was established in response to the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh in April 2013 which killed 1,134 people. Its mission is to inspire a global sustainable movement: to encourage brands to care about the cost of fashion, transparency, and accountability within the supply chain; and for consumers to become pro-fashion protestors who actively engage through hashtag campaigns. This study provides insight in how design education can be used to illuminate contemporary understanding and motivate consumers to question the cost of fashion.

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KW - storytelling

KW - Fashion Revolution

KW - fashion

KW - sustainability

UR - https://www.designhistorysociety.org/conferences/view/dhs-2019-the-cost-of-design

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A Story of Fashion Revolution: The initiative that challenges the cost of fashion

Abstract

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

Other files and links

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The Fashion + Sustainability Paradox: Is Education a Way Forward?