The Future of Fashion 1
“The ultimate goal of FACE: Fashion Academics Creating Equality, is to embed culture and diverse perspectives into the curriculum and to demand acknowledgement of the contribution of black culture and creativity, to history, society and of course to fashion.”
Andrew Ibi is speaking as one of the founder’s of FACE launched on the summer of 2020. “Academic protocol measures results and success of a course or institution, in terms of achievements for students. FACE is proposing that every single institution under the GFW umbrella upholds more inclusive practice by adding culture to the metric.”
Fashion is a broad subject with multi-narratives attached to it. Each university should be proudly commentating on the diverse make up of its department and its programme. Fashion underpinned by investigation into identity and a well-used language for identity and diversity in which everybody is able to participate, is the future as we at FACE see it.
“Our aims propose measuring the content of culture, diversity and inclusion in the course, so that any student can feel empowered to fulfil their learning from their personal perspective. It’s for the educator to position themselves to be across a broader offer for our students in terms of culture. That’s why we are inviting all educators to join us in progressing change.”
“A major stumbling block is the lack of confidence many people experience in talking about identity difference.
“A major stumbling block is the lack of confidence many people experience in talking about identity difference. When we are not confident because our own back-ground has not delivered opportunities for broadening our perspectives about race, gender, body difference or faith, as a starting point, we stay quiet. We even start defending. Why not start learning? Why not start dealing with the fact that we can’t always be the most important person in the room and others need to contribute? White men expect to open the conversation and close the conversation. But now it’s time to remain silent and listen before you do anything else.”
“When I’m trying to progress equality and diversity conversations, I become the problem, and this has got to stop. The whole room draws breath, there is a change of body language and facial expression. It’s clear that most really don’t know what to do or say when they are told the truth about the experience of their black students or colleagues. Usually I’m on my own. Other black colleagues tell me they also experience the feeling of intellectual isolation in these types of meetings. I’m asking you all to join us. We’ve just gotta face up to it together and move past the discomfort, towards change. “Educators need to investigate a headspace in which they are open to a broader conversation. Black students deserve to have lecturers who feel comfortable, even excited talking about race.”
“Educators need to investigate a headspace in which they are open to a broader conversation. Black students deserve to have lecturers who feel comfortable, even excited talking about race.”
And help us pressure the NSS. We feel the organisation has shown a lack of responsibility around Diversity, Inclusivity and Equality issues in their assessment criteria. If people are not represented or supported fairly, then the job is not being done properly. This leads us to ask if race is not on the agenda, is this because it’s of no interest to anyone currently on that board? If I’m on such a board, I’m going to be progressing that conversation and what if I miss that meeting? What happens to the discussion then? Hence the need for more back perspectives in leadership, not just the token face. Is your university recruitment, your board membership, your project presentation or module report paper-work inclusive and fair?
Is your university recruitment, your board membership, your project presentation or module report paper-work inclusive and fair?
Fashion is a broad subject with multi-narratives attached to it. Each university should be proudly commentating on the diverse make up of its department and its programme. Fashion underpinned by investigation into identity and a well-used language for identity and diversity in which everybody is able to participate, is the future as we at FACE see it.
Text Caryn Franklin
This interview first appeared on GFF website
Image Elinor McBean