Mapping fashion businesses on my local high street last year revealed a thriving secondhand ecosystem and almost no shops selling new clothes - is a secondhand fashion future closer than we think?
What a fascinating project. I'm just looking at the images of your art work, and the first thing that came to me was how it reminded me of the map of London underground. That colourful criss-crossing of networks, which I think is a good metaphor for the fashion industry today.
It is also really heartening to hear of people like Norris still in business. I don't know if you're aware of the Garmentology podcast, but there is some very interesting guests talking about both secondhand materials and the return of garment manufacturing in the UK. They're usually quite long deep dives, but rich in information and often great narratives. I've added a link should you be interested, I have no affiliation with the podcast. https://welldresseddad.com/category/garmology/podcast/
Where your research is covering the larger, commercial side of clothing production, my own research is at the micro level, individuals making their own clothes, and what sustainability means to them. Your secondhand fashion future vision has really started me thinking about what a fashion future for home sewists using secondhand materials would look like. It's not something I have considered before so thank you for sparking this idea. I don't think your vision is necessarily that dystopian. If I were to follow your vision, I would expect a future where only the very rich would have access to new clothes, and the rest would have to use secondhand. A reversion to the sumptuary laws of the past. There are already the early signs of businesses deconstructing garments for reuse, and a recent show at Huddersfield University (where I'm based), was around garments that could be taken apart and reconstructed in different ways to promote longevity. So fashion education is already starting to address this. I suspect LCF are doing similar work.
I would love to hear the talk, but am unable to come to London that day. Is there any chance it is being recorded, and if so would I be able to access that recording somewhere?
Thanks again Gemma for sparking some great ideas, and best wishes for your panel discussion.
It's lovely to be connected and thank you for the thoughtful reply.
I am in the processes of investigating and applying for a PHD to continue my research and it would be great to keep sharing our experiences and what we're learning as there are definitely lots of overlaps.
The talk will be recorded and shared on LCF's youtube channel - I'll send you the link once I have it.
I have everything crossed for your talk, but I'm sure you will be wonderful. You are obviously very engaged in your subject and that will come across to everyone.
I'm also keeping everything crossed for your PhD proposal. This is such a great, and timely subject, and it hasn't been explored enough, I suspect because its traditionally been seen as frivolous and mostly for women. I would love to continue sharing our experiences with you and am looking to set up my own blog to record my efforts and reflections at upcycling. This makes me nervous.
Hi again Gemma,
What a fascinating project. I'm just looking at the images of your art work, and the first thing that came to me was how it reminded me of the map of London underground. That colourful criss-crossing of networks, which I think is a good metaphor for the fashion industry today.
It is also really heartening to hear of people like Norris still in business. I don't know if you're aware of the Garmentology podcast, but there is some very interesting guests talking about both secondhand materials and the return of garment manufacturing in the UK. They're usually quite long deep dives, but rich in information and often great narratives. I've added a link should you be interested, I have no affiliation with the podcast. https://welldresseddad.com/category/garmology/podcast/
Where your research is covering the larger, commercial side of clothing production, my own research is at the micro level, individuals making their own clothes, and what sustainability means to them. Your secondhand fashion future vision has really started me thinking about what a fashion future for home sewists using secondhand materials would look like. It's not something I have considered before so thank you for sparking this idea. I don't think your vision is necessarily that dystopian. If I were to follow your vision, I would expect a future where only the very rich would have access to new clothes, and the rest would have to use secondhand. A reversion to the sumptuary laws of the past. There are already the early signs of businesses deconstructing garments for reuse, and a recent show at Huddersfield University (where I'm based), was around garments that could be taken apart and reconstructed in different ways to promote longevity. So fashion education is already starting to address this. I suspect LCF are doing similar work.
I would love to hear the talk, but am unable to come to London that day. Is there any chance it is being recorded, and if so would I be able to access that recording somewhere?
Thanks again Gemma for sparking some great ideas, and best wishes for your panel discussion.
Claire
Hi Claire
It's lovely to be connected and thank you for the thoughtful reply.
I am in the processes of investigating and applying for a PHD to continue my research and it would be great to keep sharing our experiences and what we're learning as there are definitely lots of overlaps.
The talk will be recorded and shared on LCF's youtube channel - I'll send you the link once I have it.
Meantime, keep your fingers crossed for me!
I'm starting to get nervous
Gem
Hi Gem,
I have everything crossed for your talk, but I'm sure you will be wonderful. You are obviously very engaged in your subject and that will come across to everyone.
I'm also keeping everything crossed for your PhD proposal. This is such a great, and timely subject, and it hasn't been explored enough, I suspect because its traditionally been seen as frivolous and mostly for women. I would love to continue sharing our experiences with you and am looking to set up my own blog to record my efforts and reflections at upcycling. This makes me nervous.
Anyway, good luck again,
Claire