Examining An Ethical Issue In Fashion Design

I have chosen to look at the ethical issue of Disability: how this is seen in a wider society and how fashion design deals with designing for, and representing, Disabilities.

You don’t see many disabled models in fashion magazines. However in response to this, I have chosen to look at an advertising campaign that Debenhams did in 2010 that showed Disabled models in their campaign. However, this was a one-off campaign and fashion changes regularly so it would be good if fashion magazines regularly showed disabled models.

It took until 1998 before disabled people were shown in fashion magazines. This was in Dazed and Confused and the models wore outfits designed by Alexander McQueen and other designers. In 2001, there was a fashion show called “In Our Fashion” which was inclusive and top designers designed clothing for disabled models:

‘There has never been a major inclusive fashion show since and nor has a major style or fashion paper or magazine looked at disabled people as worthy of coverage’ (Disability Now, March 2011).

Debenhams has been the first ones to publicise disabled people in their fashion campaigns. Nikki Fox and Natasha Wood wanted to include disabled people in fashion advertising. Debenhams was the first high street retailer to do this. This was described as ‘a big move towards positive representation of disability in high street fashion.’ ( Hilary Alexander in the Telegraph February 2010). These people are being presented as equal to other models. I think Debenhams did this to make disabled people feel equal, included and a part of something instead of being portrayed as second class citizens in the fashion world.

When I look in magazines or see other people in the latest clothes I get inspired and encouraged to try out new looks which gives me a buzz. However, disabled teenagers and young people don’t have these opportunities due to the lack of awareness in the fashion industry.

Although disabled people have been used occasionally in campaigns and fashion shows, it has been the odd one or two and not a regular occurrence. Fashion changes a lot but not so that disabled people could enjoy it.

I don’t think they should have their own magazine because this still excludes them but they should be represented in the usual magazines.

Magazines are very picky about their models. They tend not to look like ordinary people. Models tend to be tall and skinny and airbrushed or made over to look unreal. This might be because they look ‘good’ and so the clothes look good. Beautiful models connect with the audience and make the audience want to be like them. Disabled models might not have this same effect on the wider audience. It might make the audience not want to read the magazine.

Debenhams First with disabled High Street model Fashion with passion

Bibliography

http://disabilityvisibility.com/

http://elliottkeene.wordpress.com/

http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/hilary-alexander/TMG7323888/Debenhams-first-with-disabled-High-Street-model.html

http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/living/style/shaping-up-to-look-good/