Craft as a Fashion Activist Practice

Abstract

Fashion is more than a commercial activity, more than a process of inspiration, design, production and distribution directed at consumers. Those called consumers have roles beyond consumption. Fashion is a dialogue between designers/producers and those who choose how to dress. Of the multiple viewpoints which can be used to examine "fashion practice, " theories of "quiet activism" and craftivism have been little discussed. Fashion by its very nature illustrates and provides agency for wearers, a display of independent and free choice. Contemporary fashion is predicated on fashion designs being developed and then produced, marketed and distributed to the fashion public. The role of craft makers as fashion practitioners is little discussed beyond the role of the craft designer or craftsperson making for sale. One overlooked fashion practice is that of the craftsperson wearer. Positioning craft as part of a wearer's fashion practice, as craftivism, a deliberate activism, be it "loud" or "quiet, " enables a consideration of alternative fashion practices. Those wearing fashion choose how they wear and maintain commercial fashion designs -and yet they are often categorised as mere consumers. My work has begun to tease Figure 1. Handknit in progress -customising colours to make a garment unique. Photo credit: Stella Lange, 2016.