kent State Honors Thesis Project 2021:

A study of ethically focused fashion and the employment of artisans

Fast fashion has been one of the most damaging developments within the fashion industry due to the harmful cycle of extreme waste, overconsumption, and overwhelming social, ethical, and environmental concerns. Instant trend cycles have become the focus in support of financial profit, trumping over artisanal craft and a careful consideration of environmental and human resources. One of the results of emphasis on fast fashion is a loss of essential artisan skills that have the potential to advance aesthetic and cultural innovation as well as enable financial autonomy for the individual. This paper is therefore is an examination of contrasts between the often dangerous and diminishing short-term gains of fast fashion versus the long-term traditions, value, and need for slow fashion that recognizes kills and fair treatment of human beings. In support of this argument is a literature review, two case studies, and a practice-based adoption of some of these artisanal practices.

This thesis sets out to study this small sector of the fashion industry that is attempting to preserve and celebrate the skills of craftspeople, as well as discuss a personal exploration of employment of artisans. One 501(c)(3) company that is within the fashion industry has been selected to research and develop a case study for the purpose of evaluating effectiveness. Since the celebration of artisans and the reinstitution of craft into the fashion industry is a rising concept, the research on how to successfully do so is limited. Developing of a case study of a company in this sector will expose gaps and weaknesses in the process, revealing areas for improvement, for the sole benefit of the artisans and craftspeople while enabling profit for the company. Additionally, a personal exploration of the employment of local artisans in partnership with a senior collection project will be discussed and compared to the case study. This additional research will expose the challenges and successes of artisan inclusion in the fashion design process and elevate craftsmanship. Through the study and evaluation of 501(c)3 organizations who employ artisans and the personal artisan employment project, the beauty and value of craft in slow fashion will be celebrated as well as advanced through evaluation of the companies’ process and structure.