Katharine Hamnett at her Spring/Summer 2004 show at London Fashion Week
http://www.chinadaily.com

! .... but ... fashion can play a role in a certain way, in certain....... politics.
POLITICS that can create impact in society and the environment by taking direct action in how it conducts its business ethics ..... and yet continue to play the role as LA explains ...... I don't really believe, in my opinion, that fashion is totally castrated ... or indeed a total ' eunuch' ... For one thing fashion has a mayor share in the state of affairs as far as the environment is concerned ... COTTON have a huge and devastating impact in the supply of WATER ... . so what is the fashion industry doing about that ? .... and what about CHILD LABOUR ? .... what is fashion really doing about that ?.....
The problem with fashion is that it cannot project that in the world of visual aesthetics ... but it can do that behind the doors by developing its own political code of conduct ..... that certainly would make far more quick and tangible impact than a Benetton t'shirt with glitter saying ......... ' Let's all care for our environment because we are all in it ' ... but it can certainly help to create some awareness , however 'flat' the canvas is, and however 'one seasonal ' the message unfortunately is doomed to be ...... but nevertheless the message does have the great advantage to reach the corners of the world in a second.... and is bound to make some people think !.... if just for a moment...

However shallow fashion in the end may be to be able to deliver a political message , and however constrained its political role in reality is according to our imbedded perceptions about fashion's purpose and role in society .... one thing is for sure .... it is 10 for 12:00 and fashion has no option but to take its 'political' responsibility .... however pretty flimsy and contradictory that role appears to be...

ART!

As long as fashion has been in style, clothing has been used to express the beliefs, ideals, and socioeconomic status of the wearer. From the deep purple robes worn by the aristocracy of Renaissance Europe, to the peace-symboled, tie-dyed T-shirts of 1960's hippies, what a person wears has been a medium of communication for people who have something they want the rest of the world to know. How can fashion not be seen as political?

Pic.: www.metafilter.com/ tags/waste

FAST FASHION
by io takemura

"This film investigates approaches that could encourage people to be more aware of ethical issues within fashion consumption. It's the time for the consumers should stop and rethink what they are dealing with when they consume and start making difference individually and start showing their own character within fashion identity."
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Couldn't agree more !........ CONSUMERS are indeed the KEY to a BETTER use of FASHION and to make a difference ' politically ' as in.... become truly aware of the devastating effect their uncontrolled and blind urge to generate tons and tons of FASHION WASTE causes to the planet !