There are three sectors to the Economy: Private, Public, and Nonprofit organizations. According to The Designers Atlas of Sustainability; the Private sector's aim is to generate profit for themselves through mechanism of the marketplace. The Public sector's collects public resources to provide collective public services. The not for profit sector tries to meet social needs and is not considered a business. Each sector works in a way that mocks the checks and balances sequence for legislation. Look at is as a chart divided in three. If the private sector decides it wants to expand, it would be taking away from the nonprofit or public sector. This is where Private companies try to persuade or bribe the other sectors, as in government etc, to pass laws to start deforestation in areas which benefit them.
Some of our most important resources, such as air, water, or children, are considered a 'zero' in the economic calculation. They are considered a given right to all humans. Yet, if a person were to become ill, the medical bills is a positive being money is spent. Redefining the entire notion of economic growth and accessing these negative, events such as an illness, is a must.
An interview with Kumi Naidoo, head of Greenpeace International, nails the root cause of most of the environmental problems were facing and many of the social problems. "Big business is starting to understand that they have as much to lose if the whole planet goes to pot, but have have to ensure business leaders are not strangulated by the tyranny of quarterly reporting cycles, which is what the situation is right now." The issue arises in relation to the Economy. We cannot expect to have a plentiful supply of fish if all we're doing is taking from the pond. Just like private companies, we cannot expect to keep up the way we do business and sustain profit. I'm impractical.
Over time our culture has shifted in what we value. Materialism is now the measurement of what people have started to define themselves with. This is not necessarily a result of human nature, but the persuasion and influence which designers play a central role in. They shape the appearance to convey commercially generated meanings tying in visuality with it. With pressures from the commercial culture, designers focus is not on economic interests. They rarely think in terms of long-term. The 'short termism' in our culture is normal.
How do we move forward?
Ecological awareness is every ones responsibility. Designers impact of the economy as well as on our culture should start by planning products differently. It does not all lay in the responsibility of the designer itself. Yes, the designer needs to help sustain products by making it a priority in their work. The long term effects and products. Here is a list of the top five Fashion Designers That help avoid disposable fashion shopping . Consumers: seek these companies out.
1. C. Marchuska
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sustainable collection of wearable, affordable, and versatile looks
2. Popomomo
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Garments are made with sustainable fabrics -- hemp, organic cotton, tencel, bamboo
3. Vaute Couture
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featured vegan winter coats and introduced knits made from soy bean farming waste, vegan belts made with Ultrasuede EcoDesign and urban snow coats, made with alternative fiber Primaloft ECO, encased in 100% recycled closed loop ripstop from Tejin EcoCircle, and hand quilted locally in Chicago.
4. Doie
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Bamboo clothing line
5. Indigenous Designs
Hi, Nic;
ReplyDeleteThank you for providing us with these industry examples. You have done a nice job of explaining how the different sectors influence (or control) each other and the sustainability challenge embodied in those relationships. Could you tell us more about how each of these labels are implementing some of the sustainable design strategies or approaches discussed by Thorpe? A little more synthesis could enhance this.
Of course!
DeleteOur culture has shifted and I believe that we need to re-shift our values back to what they use to be to start working in harmony with nature rather than destroying it. A good way to do that would be like you mentioned for designers to put being sustainable at the forefront of their work. We need to make our designs fit sustainability rather than have sustainability fit our desings.
ReplyDeleteYES YES! Slow down the pace which we are consuming garments. Designers are pressured to meet all demands consumers have. If we were to educate our culture into being more aware. Sort of think worldly instead of selfishly?
DeleteMaterialism, being the focus of individuals, designers, and the apparel industry has reached a frightening climax. Individuals work for a salary to obtain material objects to reflect their successfulness and form their identity. This time spent striving for these materialistic objects is time that could be spent conversing and creating relations with other individuals and loved ones. Relationships are the key to happiness while materialism is portrayed as taking the place of this, it's shown that depression and sickness are caused by lack of relationship and connections with others. We must raise awareness that this is not only harmful for the environment but also to the health of human beings.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The private sector companies would more likely benefit from become eco-friendly. With the way Materialism has became, especially in our culture, it's simple. Market towards the same people you have been with with reused or recycled garments. Also, re-educating consumers on how to shop and what to buy would be a great way, too.
DeleteNicota,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, "Designers impact of the economy as well as on our culture should start by planning products differently". High-end designers like Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Gianni Versace, among others have such a huge influence in the industry that if they all started designing for sustainability it would catch on. It would be neat if these designer collaborated to raise awareness on sustainability.
Yes! I am brainstorming ideas on how to make these iconic brands collaborate and change the industry. Since they're well known already, what would make them want to change?
DeleteMaybe by starting a nonprofit organization. Something like a clothes drive that collects unwanted clothes that are then taken to get recycled. Or some sort of charitable organization that shows the community how much they care, like GAP is doing with the (RED) foundation.
DeleteThey should probably hire us with these great ideas to help them become sustainable.
DeleteAnother idea would be for these iconic brands to open up resale stores of their merchandise. This would keep revenue within the company, cater to a different demographic, and help extend the life of a garment.
I love that idea! It's a win-win solution! Are you thinking along the lines of an outlet store, but for used clothing???
DeleteYeah sort of. I was thinking Upscale thrifting but specifically single brands.
DeleteI LOVE IT! Because I was thinking that if it was not upscale it might alter the company's brand image and customers might not like that.
DeleteOh yeah! I figured a good target market would be 18-25years of age who are on a budget from either school or starting new in the workforce? What do you think?
DeletePerfect! These are the customers that like high end brands but cant afford them. Also, by giving them the opportunity to afford the products the company is creating brand loyalty. Hence, whenever these customer become older with higher incomes they are likely to purchase the more expensive products.
DeleteWe are genious
DeleteI agree with you as well. Designers do play a big role in making our products sustainable. If designers start making their products more sustainable, especially the big designer names then sustainability could possibly become "in fashion".
ReplyDeleteIt's not only important where the product comes from. It's as important about where it ends up as well. Going back to what we have learned last week, designers can be apart of both processes.
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