Francesco’s presentation
How could fashion design education address European colonialism, economic and environmental exploitation, and social injustices?
In what ways can design students evolve traditional clothing practices without engaging in cultural appropriation?
In what meaningful ways can designers (including myself as a white male European) learn from other forms of fashion?
To what extent can such experiments be scaled without turning into unsustainable fashion design practices?
As a white cis queer man, attendance to these conversations is a must, a reflection on my privileges needs to engage with others’ perspectives. I can’t neglect this as a topic and build my awareness around a multicultural environment which is our education system.
My key point that I used as a reflection on this was the commercialization of the Aran Jumper and how it once held value to the person, through symbolism, clan, and identity.
An Aran jumper/sweater comes from an island on the west coast of Ireland, that was revolutionized in generational learning environments around identity and country. Made by the women of clans and designed to represent symbols of living, hope, wealth, love, and life, these Clans had identifiable stitch structures that were used in many ways, for showmanship, fisheries, and other types of work. But most importantly it was used in death, to recognize the loss of a loved one or clan member.
“Aran jumper, hand knit in Ireland. Each stitch carries its own unique meaning, a historic legacy from the lives of the Island community many years ago. The Cable Stitch is a depiction of the fisherman’s ropes and represents a wish for a fruitful day at sea. The Diamond Stitch reflects the small fields of the islands. These diamonds are sometimes filled with Irish moss stitches, depicting the seaweed that was used to fertilize the barren fields and produce a good harvest. Hence the diamond stitch is a wish for success and wealth. The Zig Zag Stitch, a half diamond, is often used in the Aran Sweaters, and popularly represents the twisting cliff paths on the islands. The Tree of Life is one of the original stitches and is unique to the earliest examples of Aran knitwear. It again reflects the importance of the clan, and is an expression of a desire for clan unity, with long-lived parents and strong children”. (link)
To reflect on this, it has to do with a particular time in history, did the Irish know what was happening to one of their identities? or was it due to the mass migration of the Irish population that the cabled jumpers became worldwide?
Can we in 2023 use this as a way of sociologically understanding how migration can help cultural appropriation in Fashion? Is there something missing in history between the Irish jumper and how it became a worldwide fashion statement and Irish glorification?
This was my example, that not many people know of that the jumper stood for more than fashion, that it had a faith attached that it was a Celtic paganistic spiritually designed garment. That represented more than just something to keep you warm or be fashionable.
Regarding the other questions, I couldn’t fully engage in the conversation, but I did listen to those peers who hold a better understanding of these topics. It was extremely insightful and holds strength as to why these conversations need to happen.
“The collective experience is diminished if someone doesn’t have a lived experience. We could set briefs that are localized, and approach diversity within the brief.”
(peer answer anonymously)
This was an interesting answer, could provide a localized group of storytelling and be translatable into creative outlets?
e.g. Drawing tools for lived experiences (from Sarah Ee who presented drawing as a form of visualizing dyslexia).
This falls back onto the value of storytelling in fashion and how connections are made through these lived experiences, something that I feel personally is missing from mainstream fashion these days. Where is the lost art of fashion storytelling to build community, culture, and livelihoods?
Image: Robyn Lynch a contemporary Irish designer who explores Irish roots and contemporary street styles. That explores the influence of migration in Ireland and how its shaped todays fashion.
