The beginning
I want to ask you a question.
Do you have a fashion design or business idea?
Having an idea is one thing, but in order for this to be viable, it needs to have a market, right?
That’s what’s been told, but not only does it need a market, it needs to solve a problem.
What problem are you looking to solve?
You must be wondering, how does this apply to fashion. Yes, this question applies to fashion even more than before.
With the rising concerns of fashion supply, waste issues, high returns, and modern-day slavery to name a few, these are problems that need solutions that go beyond creating new designs.
In the beginning, God (Eloheim) created the heaven and earth. … And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1.1-1.31 KJV)
In the beginning, God, the three in one created all the things on the earth, some of them still exist today and we are able to enjoy the goodness. However, most of the earth that was created has been destroyed due to mankind's misuse. Natural disasters to modern-day slavery, nothing that was there from the beginning.
There is no denying the impact fashion has and if you are still in doubt. Please see here a UK Fashion impact report from Wrap report that is produced yearly and the popular film about the true cost of fashion. These are one of many resources that can be freely found online to help give a better understanding of the climate we are in.
I can list out many problems, but more information about what’s wrong will not always bring immediate change. What I like to present to you are solutions that you can implement right away. These are founded on my biblical beliefs that everything, in the beginning, was good and in order to create good designs and businesses, one must look at the One that mentioned creation being good.
If we take Genesis as an example of how the earth was created.
Day one is day and night - we still have this in place
Day two is Heaven - this is still there, although you can’t see it physically
Day three is sea and land - these have been impacted
Day four is sun, moon, stars - these are still there
Day five is birds and fish - these have been impacted
Day six is animals and humans - these have been impacted
Day seven God rested from all his creations
We can see that anything on earth and below earth has been impacted, anything above the skies, outside of earth is still remaining as it was in the beginning. Why is that? Because the earth was man’s responsibility to take care of it.
And God (Eloheim) said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (Genesis 1.26)
Mankind was given authority to manage all the things that were on the earth. This was going perfectly fine, until the fall. Since then, the earth has been declining and fashion has been part of this problem according to the UK Government report on Fixing Fashion 2019.
Should we be worried?
Yes, if you don’t believe in the Biblical foundations, you can only depend on mankind's evolution.
No, if you do believe in the Biblical foundations and want to see how the beginning can bring the solution.
The first man Adam created the fall, but the new man Jesus repaired the relationship between mankind and its creator. His principles are what offer the solution.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like, unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus gave two commandments that summarize all of God's laws. Love God and love each other. If we love God we would obey his commandments and treat all that he has created with love.
How does this apply to design and business?
If you love someone, you want the best for them, you want them to like what you do and even like you back. If you love someone, you don’t wish them harm and don’t aim to hurt them. You will do all you can to protect and nourish that relationship. Love makes you do more than what’s required and you are willing to invest long-term.
Now translate this to your design or business idea.
Is this showing love to your potential customers?
Is this good for them?
Is it going to make them love your work?
Is it harmless and causes no pain?
Is it going to build relationships/community?
I am pretty sure, that if designs were made with these questions from the start, I would not be suffering in shoes that are too uncomfortable to wear. They say; beauty is a pain but is that love? Must what we love cause us pain and to others?
Unfortunately what has been seen is fashion businesses causing pain to the producers that are working long hours with no pay, designers that get their work copied with no credit, and consumers that get allergic reactions to chemicals that shouldn't be there in the first place.
Has the item been made with love?
I know that a home-cooked meal by my mom is made with more love, than a driveway fast food meal. The richness of flavours and the way it makes you feel after are very different. Now apply it to fashion, how do you feel shopping through a maze of options to find a suitable garment vs having one made to your own design and fitted to your shape. The feedback you give to a store-bought item vs made to measure is completely different.
Why?
LOVE is the answer!
When you spend more time creating, the creation will receive more time to be appreciated.
The problem with fast is that it goes fast out of love. In order to maintain the love, it needs to be made to last longer. How?
Better materials and garment construction that are meant to last longer.
Better designs that keep evolving throughout the wearer's lifespan.
I know that it cost more to have better products, however, the impact is less and better for the earth and people in the long run.
We have been given the responsibility to ensure that all that was, in the beginning, remains and is good. It isn’t just the brands, but also consumers' responsibility to love.
Next time you shop, ask the question:
Has this been made with love?
Next design/business idea you have:
Can this be made with love?
See the below diagram to help with your decision.
