'Does Fashion Do More Damage Than Good'

During last Monday's seminar, we were set into four teams; each given the role to research a different argument to the statement: 'Does fashion do more damage than good?'. The team I was on were to argue for the statement from the industry perspective. To organise our team we began my brainstorming different ideas that we could discuss, were we decided upon: Body Image, Social Class, Ethics and Environmental issues. I took upon the role of researching the topic of body image. The task was really interesting, yet scary to find out just how many people are actually affected by body image issues and how they can stimulate from the media and the fashion industry in particular.
For example, some statistics we found were: '70% of 6-12 year olds want to be thinner' - National Eating Disorders Association, furthermore, a study found that adolescent girls were more fearful of gaining weight than getting cancer, nuclear war or losing their parents'- Rader Programs. Personally, these seem very extreme, yet in my own experience, I am aware of many girls who have had an eating disorder, and I've seen how it destroys their physical mentality and being.
We also looked upon the controversial issue of photoshop; were we found a shocking image of the high fashion Victoria's Secret model, Karlie Kloss. In the photoshopped image Kloss appears thin, yet little do the audience know that the image has in fact been manipulated to show less of her ribs and for her to appear less gaunt and skinny than she really is. This seems shocking, especially as she is a Victoria's Secret model who claim all their model ambassadors are promoting healthy bodies that perhaps can motivate other women to get fit.

Moreover, all this research was in preparation for Thursday's seminar where we had a debate on the matter. A lot of the information delivered and presentation was really insightful and certainly well researched. For example, the team arguing against our points said that the industry doesn't do more damage because: it creates around 700, 000 jobs, it promotes feminism (Emma Watson, 'This is What a Feminist Looks Like' clothing, Chanel catwalk), and promotes anti-fur with the likes of Khloe Kardashian. 

From the perspective of the consumer the points made for the statement were: it isn't a fair representation of ethnicity; 13/92 fashion shows had 72% white models, it objectifies women; for example: Miley Cyrus and the Blurred Lines video, and it promotes shopping addictions. 

However, arguing against that the points made were: it banishes class divisions, creates personal identity and subcultures, brand created to promote different figures; Asos curve, Selfridges created 'Head Space' - a place where people can relax and take a break from shopping, and also the creation of fast fashion which means more accessible trends to more people. 

In the end, I was persuaded and voted that Fashion does not do more damage than good.