Sweatshops: The Dirty Truth of Fashion

Sweatshops are a growing problem but how can we stop them? There are sweatshops all over the world including America. Although something may say it is "Made with Pride in the USA", that doesn't mean it was not constructed in a sweatshop. In many foreign countries, the children that work in these sweatshops make only a few cents for each garment they produce. The conditions in which they work are awful--they work long, grueling days.
"My mum is a fashion designer and I work with her. We have a concession in Top Shop and earn decent money for what we make but I found it difficult to deal with the fact that people in India with similar skills are living in poverty." This is typical for how sweatshop labor operates. These workers are very skilled and only making very little money while other people in the fashion industry are making great money and have very similar skills.
"In the fashion industry people make ridiculous amounts of money, yet I saw people in India working 18 hours for hardly anything. I was shocked and angry." It is unreal the amount of money some designers make compared to the amount of money these laborers are making.
Sweatshops are wrong and are a dark truth to the fashion industry. People often don't think of where their clothes come from. Americans want a great price and great look to their clothes and sweatshops make that possible.

Singh, Amar . "DESIGNER SAMPLES LIFE IN £2-A-DAY SWEATSHOPS." Evening Standard 21 Apr. 2008.

Milan Fashion: Art or Usabilty?

No matter what, fashion is a necessity. Even while the consumer is wearing nothing close to couture, fashion is still used in everyday life.

The Milan Fashion Week showcases fashion as more of a form of art rather than the practicality of a design. The designs featured in the Milan fashion week are very unique and intricate. Many of the designs shown had many of the artistic elements that Milan is known for while also being very chic and wearable.

I think fashion is an art form. Today's designers are truly artists of their own kind. While the garments being created are works of art, they still must be functional and wearable to the average person.

Couture, on the other hand has nothing to do with practicality. Over-the-top is what comes to mind when watching a couture show. The looks are unlike anything you have ever seen and are very much an equivalent to a work of art.

My Fashion Inspiration

Last year for my senior project, I knew automatically what my topic would be--Fashion Design. Next, I had to come up with the design I was going to create. I wanted it to be something very simple and elegant but also something very creative as well.

I came across several pictures in various magazines which gave me the initial idea of what I was going to create. They were photographs of long, floor-grazing gowns with just a small amount of draping around the bust. They were very "Grecian-Goddess" inspired. This to me is a very classic look with a modern twist of the draping.

As for the color I used I decided to go with a bold red which I think flatters many skin tones. For the actual dress, I used satin and chiffon both in matching red. With the satin, I constructed a simple, strapless dress that was the basis for my design. I attached a zipper to the back of it and also a slit to create the movement I wanted.

Next was the fun part. I got to be creative and decide how I wanted the draping to look. I pinned the chiffon to the strapless satin gown creating 1-inch pleats all across the panel of the garment. I then sewed this down which gave to dress the effortless look of draping.

What inspires me the most about fashion design is how classic garments and colors are always in style yet you can always update them with a unique twist! I really enjoyed being a "fashion designer for the day" and creating a dress I will always be proud of.