why `positive magazine` inspired me?

The reason why I chose to research `Positive Magazine` was because i wanted my work to be seen in a similar format covering photos, stories, reportages, every fragment that tells what’s happening in the world through different points of view. I really admire how the magazine dealt with topics that are happening in the world, and felt this type of magazine would relate well towards my topic which deals with recycling in the fashion industry. I also appreciated the modern feel the magazine had, and how they used different page layouts throughout the editorial.

Whereas the magazine PDF format `dazed and confused` was seen as a more formal layout featuring topics such as music, fashion, film, art, and literature. I would like my magazine to capture the awareness of recycling and therefore did not want the design to be seen as formal. Due to this matter i thought about researching the Stitch newspaper, as it was viewed as an awareness pack to generate a change of attitude and behavior towards clothing care.

An idea for my magazine page layouts .....

An idea for my magazine page layouts .....

I wanted my images to resemble a striking display, deconstructing, re-cutting and completely transforming people’s perception of second-hand clothing or recyclable material, and create ethical fashion with a sense of right and wrong?

For my page layout i would like to portray a similar style as the magazine issue ` the black swan issue` (little white lies). I really liked how the designer has placed font over the original image. The design looks unique yet contemporary and stylish. I also referred to my other chosen research magazine `positive magazine`. Their page layouts where simple yet intricate. I would like to create something similar, so the viewer could clearly understand my work.

When researching I have chosen references that relate to my project, as I believe my self and designers have portrayed environmentally conscious trends in fashion. I want to explain the global and personal benefits of adopting these practices, and have demonstrated ways in which individuals, can make conscious changes in their wardrobe choices and reduce their environmental impact of “waste couture” on our planet.

For my article i want to state the fact that there’s a growing trend among clothing manufacturers who are turning all kinds of trash into fashion these days.  Old signs and office chairs, they’re all being recycled into clothes that are sold by well-known retailers. “Our evolution toward using trash as our supply chain came through our desire to reduce the impact our clothing has on the planet,” said Jen Rapp, director of communications and public relations for Patagonia, the Ventura-based manufacturer that is largely credited with birthing, then mainstreaming, the trash-to-fashion trend.

Recycling article for indesign magazine

For my methodology output i have decided to collaborate with another group and create a fashion magazine, involving my prints and an article based around my concept.
Below is the article that i wish to involve within the magazine....

Recycling article for indesign magazine

It is estimated that more than 1 million tonnes of textiles are thrown away every year in the UK alone. At least 50% of the textiles we throw away are recyclable, however, the proportion of textile wastes reused or recycled annually in the UK is only around 25%.

Recovery and recycling provide important environmental benefits. Textile recovery:

·         Reduces the need for landfill space. Textiles present particular problems in landfill as synthetic (man-made fibres) products will not decompose, while woollen garments do decompose and produce methane, which contributes to global warming.

·                     Reduces pressure on virgin resources.

·                     Results in less pollution and energy savings, as fibres do not have to be manufactured or transported from abroad.

If everyone in the UK bought one reclaimed woollen garment each year, it would save an average of 371 million gallons of water (the average UK reservoir holds about 300 million gallons) and 480 tonnes of chemical dyestuffs. (Evergreen)

Many fashion businesses are choosing to incorporate recycled fibres, fabrics or clothes in their collections.

Consumers can also contribute by recycling, re-fashioning and re-styling existing clothes, swapping clothes with friends or choosing to invest in quality rather than quantity when buying clothes.

There are three ways of recycling fashion:

·         Using fabric composed of recycled fibres or products- for example recycled polyster made from used drinking bottles or fabrics made from recycled yarns

·         Recycling textile fabric- (“Upcycling”) for example using unwanted factory surpluses, offcuts or materials which would otherwise be thrown away

·         Recycling or customising clothing- taking second hand clothing and re-fashioning or repairing it so it is given a second life.

Recycling in the fashion industry

Fabrics made from recycled items are now becoming more commonplace with recycled polyester made from recycled drinks bottles now being made by companies such as Patagonia , Marks and Spencer, and Armani jeans.

Armani jeans have been incorporating eco fabrics and design since the mid 90’s. Their first eco project started in 1995 with the development of a process to recycle denim. This was revolutionary for the time and the jeans were displayed at the Science and Technology Museum of Milan. Later that year, Armani Jeans developed new materials using 60% recycled wool and recycled cross dyed cotton and introduced hemp eco washes into the collection. This experimentation has continued with the production of an organic knitwear range, the use of pure alpaca and the engagement with fair-trade cotton projects in Peru and Bolivia and recycled polyester.

Some fashion businesses use fabric waste generated during the manufacturing process or material that has been designated as unusable due to minor faults.

Companies like From Somewhere specialise in creating collections from this kind of fabric, and refer to this process as ‘upcycling’ rather than recycling.

More reasons to recycle!

·         Landfill sites pose a threat to local ground water supplies. Every time it rains, water drains through all the rubbish, and picks up chemicals and hazardous materials from whatever is in the landfill site. This includes chemicals used in clothing and textiles such as dyes and bleaches. The water collects at the bottom of the landfill, often in large amounts and can be up to 200 times as toxic as raw sewage.

·         By re-using existing fibres and textiles, there is no need to make these textiles from raw materials (such as cotton, wool, and synthetic fibres) This saves on the energy used and pollution caused during manufacturing processes like dying, washing, and scouring.

Useful links

·         Find out more about recycling
http://www.recyclenow.com/

·         Promoting sustainable waste management in the Thames Gateway by developing local markets for London's recycled materials.
www.londonremade.com

·         For designers who don't want to make landfill
http://www.redesigndesign.org/

·         Evergreen Recycling Inc. is a material substitute and recycling specialist which offers solutions for manufacturers, government and service firms seeking sustainable material flow
http://www.evergreenrecycling.com

·         Revamp Fashion Collective: Clothing and Accessories from Vintage and Reclaimable materials
http://www.revampfashion.co.uk/

creating balloon outfit

making another new outfit (balloons)

off site test shoot

test shoot / off-site location

I enjoyed the experience of shooting on location, but think i prefer studio shooting as i feel the overall image looks more commercial. I shot using a basic canon 500 but have booked the studio for this week will be shooting with a hassleblad, so will upload some test shoots and see what images i prefer?

Methodology Group Crit: Heike .

Mon 25th Mar 2013 Methodology Group Crit: Heike room 706.
This session just allowed us to touch base with Heike and check that we were on track with the project. It was also a chance to see what a few other students were producing.

I've also listed  some initial ideas for the dissertation work

we need to do over Easter.

Why do we photograph?

Psychology and representation

Self image and its importance

Why fear the camera?

Surveillance and the camera

Use of images within the family

So far the most wide ranging and interesting top appears to be the "Why do we photograph?" question. I'd really like to delve into the history and psychology of photography

.

A few other artists for inspiration

Lira Leirner has made this fantastic dress out of an old Royal Mail bag.


This dress is made from reclaimed stretch wool sweaters by Melissa Ferreira.




Comic Strip dress by Jane Lawrence.

made out of telephone books by Jolis Paons.