PDP FASHION BLOG

So far, I've discussed my interest in the traditional denim and Boro techniques from Japan as well as the rising interest in avant-garde fashion, which is mainly concerned with experimentation. I think one of the most important movements in the fashion industry today is the increased awareness of age-old traditional techniques practiced in a number of different countries.  Japanese Boro patchwork and Sashiko stitching has experienced a great surge in popularity, with large brands like Nike even incorporating these ideas into their existing silhouettes. African textile patterns from different tribes have also been incorporated into many clothes.  While these homages are interesting, they stem from a desire to exploit the rising demand for such things. Sashiko stitching has been trending for a few years at this point, gaining popularity due to Japanese designers employing the stitching method as a decorative embellishment instead of its usual purpose, reinforcement. The African ...

The fashion industry has always been excessively glamorized on almost every form of media. Hip hop lyrics constantly put mainstream fashion brands on a pedestal. Each brand has its own celebrity ambassadors, ranging from actors to musicians.  The idea of luxury fashion is quite plush and very tame when discussed in passing conversation, but the reality of the industry is much more harsh. The fashion industry is known for a brutal work culture.  Besides the constant pressure to innovate against current trends and rival companies, brands must innovate against themselves, adhering to the idea that repetition is a barrier to success. Systemic bullying and discrimination exist in a large number of companies and result in rapid burnout and high turnover. These issues are commonplace even across continents. In China, labour is cheap and companies do what they can to reduce this cost even further, relying on illegal methods to evade taxation. Workplaces are often unsafe and not up to ...