Posts Tagged ‘brand responsibility’
Your fashion choices; what do they say about you?
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
I (Jason) came across a quote the other day on a personal blog:
“Fashion and style, in the past, was all about creating an image but now that image can also include the personal value set of the wearer and it looks as if this connection between fashion and social issues is here to stay.”
It got me to thinking about my own fashion choices and the brands that I support. Do I make choices above and beyond how the item I am purchasing looks/feels? If the article of clothing or the accessory does not reveal the brand name to anyone other than the wearer, am I influenced by the name? Certainly we all know the power of brands and the reason why companies such as Coach or Burberry command the prices they do. But I’m talking about more than just a logo. It’s not just the quality or the look of the item (although that comes first in the mind of the buyer), but it’s also the promise made to the consumer. A promise of quality, of originality, of beauty, and now more than ever, a promise of social responsibility. Our culture has never been more influenced by the conscientiousness of businesses, large and small. The New York Times has a very popular blog, Green Inc., which highlights various corporations and alerts consumers as to who is and isn’t environmentally responsible. Making that list, for one reason or another, can have a profound impact on a companies image and even their bottom line.
All in all, I believe this is a good thing (our cultures trend of holding brands responsible). With that in mind, how far are you willing to go when it comes to fashion? Will you boycott irresponsible brands? Will you seek out and support those that associate themselves with positive and influential movements? Why or why not? What do your fashion choices tell others about what is important to you? Have you ever become emotionally involved with a brand?
We all like Mickey and Ozzy, but with their level of influence, should they be saying something more?
Clothing should be fun and allow for a range of expression. It can be both playful and thought provoking. It can be about the actual piece of clothing being worn, or it can be about the name on the tag. Alison Lurie says that “To choose clothes, either in a store or at home, is to define and describe ourselves”. Some may see that as too much pressure. On the contrary I think it can be a very natural fit with our personality. The key is finding that brand that represents what is important to you. You can be verbally vocal about your value system, or you can say it with fashion. What fun that is!
Tags: authentic, brand responsibility, graphic tees, Our thoughts, socially responsible
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