The Thrifted 1975
What is this all about?
Before I dive into some juicy information on fast fashion and other things related, you first need to know where this idea even came from.
Originally this concept was just inspired by trying to find my way to a different time through clothing, and specifically if I could pull this off just by thrifting and nothing more. The idea was inspired because starting out in photography, I had so many ideas I wanted to bring to life but with my financial status in life that seemed almost impossible and out of reach. I know there are many other creatives in that same situation as me and often think about giving up their dreams because of that issue. I wanted to prove to my self and others that you can still create even when you don’t have the advantages that others have. You can still be an inspirational artist even if you’re not using the latest gear, designer products, large venues or studios and big production companies. You can make it work, for some it’s easier than others but as they say… Where there’s a will there’s a way. I wanted to try and show at least one way if I could.
As I got into creating this concept, it also had me thinking about the harm of fast fashion and the other options there are for us creatives to create with out harming the earth or at least harming the world in less painful ways by changing our consumer habits. This sprung the idea to not only make this concept about finding a light in the dark as a struggling artist, but to also take this moment to teach my self and others about fast fashion and how to push in other directions to make a change.
Did you know..,
Americans alone, toss out around 10.5 million articles of clothing yearly. It wasn't always like this though. As little as 100 years prior to this day and age, clothing was considered an investment and consisted of a large portion of the household income. Clothing was cared for very carefully and lasted people a long duration of time. If we fast forward to now, you could argue that it is quite the opposite. The fashion industry is moving extremely rapidly in this day and age. Retailers put out new and fresh clothing weekly. In many cases, while the quantity of clothing has dramatically increased, price of clothing and quality has diminished. In this day and age we are buying record numbers of clothing on a regular basis while the monetary amount we spend on clothing has decreased by around 17 percent. Because many clothing made today is made of synthetic materials, most if not all of the clothing we throw out lasts in landfills for years to come.
Clothing, even down to a simple pair of jeans can cost the planet thousands of gallons of water to make. The levels of production processing needed to make clothing as hastily and readily in today's world costs us astronomical amounts of greenhouse gases.
Many of the clothing items we make today heavily rely on genetically modified chemicals and processing, as well as pesticides. Around 90 percent of cotton used to create the clothing and other materials we use today is genetically modified. Dyes used in the items we wear also play a factor in polluting our water supply. We can conclude to this simply because often times the removal of products used is often carried out through underdeveloped countries where environmental regulations differ greatly from our further developed countries. This means that the aftermath of making our clothing can be dumped into a near by river or lake with out batting an eye.
Thrifting does not fix the issues we are facing today, but it is one way we can choose to minimize our carbon foot print when given the option. This is to show everyone that even if you don't have the means to gather an entire production team to create a photoshoot or concept, that with a vision and hard work you can make something just as great.
This concept is something to remind others that there are ways to create cohesive outfits without needing an entire design team.
This concept is not an answer or be all for all works of art out there, but this is merely a vision of hope for the aspiring photographer who wants to create his/her/their mark on the world without creating a damaging foot print.
While I am making these notes I also feel it is important to make one more. This small prompt to a much bigger discussion here is not set up to condemn anyone who shops fast fashion. There are multiple factors that have lead us down this road of fast fashion. Most of the businesses you see even in your local mall are supplied their product through fast fashion methods, like exploiting workers over seas, harmful chemicals and methods used to create clothing in cheaper, quicker and bulkier ways. It’s hard to get away from something that we are faced with every day and for the most part are never educated on/made aware of what goes on behind fashions closed doors.
I also understand that with fast fashion and it’s current state, it has started supplying larger sizes for human beings that fit bigger sizes, which thrifting does not necessarily cater to often. Thrift stores typically have a rather poor selection for larger or more unique sizes of human beings. When it comes to trying to dress your self, and feel good about your self, keep up with trends, etc, I understand why people shop fast fashion. Though I haven’t detailed all of the reasons that are out there these are just a few key points I wanted to make here so that those reading who may feel this targets them can feel that this post is a safe space for everyone and is simply a prompt to a bigger discussion for creatives that it applies to or simply those who are interested to learn more. I want this to be a stepping stone for people to look into the problems of fast fashion further and also inspire someone to challenge themselves to thrift for their next photoshoot rather than shopping on an online fast fashion website overseas.
Make it a fun challenge and show me what you find and create, I would truly love to see results of those who go out and try it out.
Show me what you created by thrifting!
I know this wasn’t a very long post compared to the others I have as apart of my “Gallery Of Deeper Purpose” blog but I think because this one is such a favorite of mine for so many reasons and the fact that it prompts a few discussion points, I felt it would make a good fit here.
This particular concept actually was published in a magazine as well, which I will share down below if you’re here scrolling down to the end! I am super proud of that accomplishment especially for this topic concept! Please do not forget to click the button bellow to email me the result of you thrifting every little thing needed for your next project! I want to inspire others and remind others of all the great things they can do with so little on them or in their life. I believe in each and every one of you, and I would love to congratulate you on your thrift finds and creations if you give me the chance to see!
