Researcher(s)
- Alania Mariano, Art, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Amy Hicks, Art Department, University of Delaware
Abstract
In the United States, more than 34 billion pounds of used textiles are thrown away and 66% end up in landfills (Lundberg and Devoy). What may appear as a mere piece of fabric to some, actually embodies something much larger. The most popular modern day clothing purchases are defined as fast fashion. This is the process in which cheap, low-quality textile pieces are rapidly produced by mass-market retailers, such as Zara and Shein, are highly advertised to young individuals racing to achieve new fashion trends. As college students are heavily influenced by social media, there is pressure to constantly purchase trendy clothing, except for ones who understand the hidden truth behind the fashion industry. Through the examination of fast fashion, such as interviewing professors, fashion students, and dissecting documentaries, questions are raised about where our clothing really comes from and how these decisions are made at the checkout counter.
With the intent of transitioning this research into time-based media, artistic expression was a significant aspect of the research process. A digital journal, using photos, design, and textual elements, was developed to share and organize the information. Discussions of the dangerous effects of fast fashion with individuals of varying perspectives and knowledge strengthens the research to better understand the topic. The easily influenced young consumers of Gen Z who are burdened by the social pressure of what to wear and where to purchase it from are victims of the corrupt business of fast fashion. “When you buy into fast fashion, no matter how many times you wash your clothes they will never be truly clean. They’re stained by the sweat of those who made them, and the footprint it leaves on this planet” (Lucy Siegle).