Pitti Filati.

So last week I was lucky enough to spend a few days in the beautiful Italian town of Pitti! It was as pat of my university course and enabled us the opportunity to visit the reputable and well know textile and knitwear trade show, Pitti Filati. 

These are a few images from the main entrance of the show. Because pretty much everything was obviously written in Italian, I didn't quite understand the relationship between knitwear and books. But despite my confusion, I decided to take pictures anyway as I was still able to appreciate the creativity. I particularly loved the way they had suspended all the books from the ceiling.

 More in line with the main focus of the show, here are a few images of some of my favourite trend displays. 

LED trees were used to create an almost enchanting scene, presenting the pale and pastel hues predicted for future knitwear trends.

My favourite of them all, the 'Fiesta'  room engaged its visitors with  a carnival like scene, playing upbeat festival music and videos of  Southern American, African and foreign cultures in celebration. The candy skull embroided smock top stood out to me. The strong detail and the bold clashing colours  make for a truly distinctive design. I'm currently trying to figure out how I can get one!

These cushions made from foam were made to replicate wire. I love the fact that through the use of only one fabric, they were able to create something that can look so harsh in aesthetic, yet be so comfortable  to touch. The contrasts in colours, sharp tones and textures is also really interesting.

I just though this was cool! haha! It reminds me of bedroom drawer set overflowing with clothes. I'm not sure if this is what they were aiming for though, but it's almost as if this was their prediction of what the S/S13 consumers bedroom is likely to look like.

Neglect

Deepest apologies and strongest regrets! I have fully neglected both my blog, hobbies, interests and self!

Almost 6 months of stagnant page activity and stagnant progression in self fulfilment. Why? Because I am easily distracted and procrastinate far too much! If you don't like something, change it! And that is fully what I intend to do! And I fully intend to start with these characteristics.

So my first blog post in how ever many months is a mere humble apology to not only my inner blossoming self that I have failed to nurture, but to the mere passers by who have found themselves stumbling upon my page!

But today has been one of those days in which I have woken up and put my  game face on! Daydreams about my hopes, aspirations and desired future simply won't cut it any more. Time to get serious!

So, this blog will continue to be a following of my utter and complete random life! But will also be a channel for me record my 'dear diary' moments and track my own progress in life!

Goals? Apart from my current yearning to develop a set of abs like the ultimate it girl for the fabulous life of a glamorous lady thug, Teyana Taylor herself! My main goal right now is just be content in myself and life! To feel good about myself! Through exercise (pretty key if I want abs!), uni, music, friends, fashion and all else that I may encounter, I hope to achieve both happiness and success.

But success is not success unless you can use it to benefit others! Most of all, I wish to inspire. Both those I know and those I don't know. If I could inspire only one passing stranger I could honestly say that I have become successful in being me!

So to sign off, I'll leave you with a cheeky little picture of the black beauty herself. She's my THINsperation! True Story!

Until next time (and I promise there will be a next time),

TheGoldSmith x

Ethical Fashion. Do we really care?

Yet again flicking through one of my favourite blogs, The Business of Fashion (BOF), I came across this debate fuelling post.

http://www.businessoffashion.com/2012/06/op-ed-can-ethical-fashion-really-be-fashionable.html

Can Ethical Fashion Really Be Fashionable? 

My answer to the question would be that I soon hope so! I understand the points that are being put across within the article and I quite agree with the views. When I wake up and get dressed in the morning, go out shopping and purchase new items, I very rarely ask myself how and where these items have been made. And unless really forced to ask the question, I am unlikely to wonder whether the items have been made with an ethical focus.

Whenever faced with this topic, I find myself becoming very emotionally involved and concerned for a short time afterwards. But it doesn't take long before I go back to buying products and having no knowledge as to where they have come from.

I believe that I and many other people fail to ask this question when buying items is because we shouldn't have to. In my opinion, we as the consumer should not have to worry about the ethical and or immoral manors in which these high and mighty companies go about conducting themselves in, because all companies should conduct all business activities in an ethical manor. So, when I do see items labelled as being 'ethical' or 'green'  or what have you, yes I will look at them, but I am then more likely to bypass them as I assume that all other collections have been produced in the same or similar way. Or that the whole business is operating in the same way. Yes, I know, this can be seen as a very naive view.

What baffles me, is how the individuals who run these large and minor scale companies, are able to continue producing products well aware of the unethical operations that are carried out throughout their production line. 

Ethical fashion can and will become fashionable. But it will only happen when all companies as a whole take it upon themselves to operate in an ethical manor from the offset. And not to merely appeal to a small niche market of consumers. When all companies are able to meet this, then ultimately all fashion related products that are made will be both ethical and fashionable.

Easier said than done. I know. 

But, someday in the near future, when I am able to start my own brand and fashion label, I hope and aspire to create all products with the best ethical and moral background possible. Not because it is the current market trend, but because to me, that is the only way in which a business should really be run. As an individual, I would not be able to let these factors pass my conscience.

What are your views on this subject and topic? Do you enquire into company CSR policies before purchasing from them? What factors work to affect your purchasing process? 

TheGoldSmith. x

Procrastination

So my attempt at making progress on my final end of term assignment was a major fail today.
Shockingly, I found myself diverting from the thrilling process of dissecting fabric swatches, figuring out weaving constructions and yarn types, to trawling the site of Tumblr.
Initially looking for inspiration for an assignment for a 2nd module, I found myself further in awe of the up coming model Leomie Anderson.

Not only is she a very beautiful young lady, with legs that probably equate to longer than my own body height, but she is an inspiration. For black girls and all other races of young girls out there. Passionate about her modelling career, she often speaks of how it hard it is for a young black female in the fashion industry to get themselves noticed, find work and not be seen as a minor. But she also talks of how these limitations merely increase her drive and motivation to becoming successful in what she does.

As a young black female, it is young ladies like Leomie, who are the same age as myself that inspire me to make a difference. In my own life, in the fashion industry and in the world. 

I am 100% certain that I want to go into the fashion industry. Not for the lifestyle, or the perks, but for the impact! Fashion can change a person, describe a personality, reflect and dictate society. Almost every person in the world has some kind of connection to fashion, even those who deny their interest will be touched by the industry in some way. I aspire to and one day WILL be apart of that impact. If not for myself, then for the next and my own generation of unheard and unseen black girls, dreaming dreams and creating goals. And for every other person who's story has been unspoken.

My procrastination today, may have held me back from completing a sheet of work to go toward my assignment. But it helped to understand why I'm doing this work and why its important that I do well in uni. The below 100% effort i was putting into work today is sure to be doubled tomorrow!

Go Hard or Go Home!