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| Kanye West and me at Band of Outsiders' F/W 2011 show. Photo: Katherine Lowe |
I had this exact conversation with three friends last week – two were models and one was a fellow fashion writer. At the risk of speaking for them, I feel like this is the kinda thing that people like us talk about every now and again to make ourselves feel better about the fact that our lives revolve around superficial pursuits. Let's face it: Fashion isn't changing the world. It is, however, perpetuating plenty of negatives, from poor body image, to the divisions between wealth and poverty, not to mention materialism, narcissism and mono-culturalism (thank you Jenna Sauers).
Don't get me wrong, fashion has plenty of positives, but for every pro I mention I'm sure you could come up with a ton of cons. I do this job because I enjoy it. I've always had a knack for writing, I like clothes, but I love the glamour and hype of the industry. That said, I've volunteered at the City Mission a couple of times on Christmas Day in Christchurch and gotten more personal fulfillment and satisfaction in those four hour blips than any fashion show, blog post or all-expenses-paid trip.
So why do I keep doing it? Good Question.
Why does anybody do anything? I guess because it's easier to do what you're used to than what you're not. And despite the fact that the world would probably benefit if we all donated 10% of our salaries to the poverty-stricken, 99% of the population won't, because at the end of the day, they're more concerned with buying the iPhone 5 than helping their fellow man.
But to answer your question: Of course I know there's more to life than cool events, fashion and clothes. And I plan on finding out what that is.
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7 comments:
cop out answer.....
i know its bad but i do it anyway
Maybe it is a copout answer, but it's the truth. I truly commend people whose work directly impacts the world in a positive way, but the majority of us just go about our lives. I'm sorry that I'm owning up to it, but surely it's better to be honest than to act like I'm saving the world when in reality I'm just writing about fashion.
And to be fair, I do feel like some of my work positively impacts people. I've been outspoken on model exploitation, suicide and many other negative aspects of the fashion industry.
Plus, fashion isn't going away. It's a multi-billion dollar industry that we all buy into in some way, shape or form. It needs enthusiasts, fans, watchdogs, educated and opinionated writers just as much as any other big business.
lol its hard to think but its the truth... only sum people understands that xx
don't give yourself too hard of a time. fashion is an industry but it's also an art form. without people dreaming and creating the world would be a much more drab place.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=996JYAvK2Fc
keep doing what you love doing, Issac! we live in a democratic society and well, the mankind decided on a system called capitalism, so i think it doesn't matter what you do - everything is harmful to someone, something to an extent. Yet that doesn't mean it can't get better - but the debate should angle more at the complex nature of cycles of poverty and corruption than simply implying, "I work at a charity and this and that is the cause of all evil". from what i gather from reading some of your blog entries, it sometimes seems like "success" is what you are after and of course, why not? but imo making a positive difference requires sacrifices...you'll see :)
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