H&M and Uniqlo
Field Trip with Current Designer Class
#Fashion Slow down
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| Outside of store |
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| Advertisement |
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| H&M Collection Collaboration with Beyonce |
We explored H&M and Uniqlo and both had major differences in quality, shape, display, and origin of manufacturing. Our first stop was H&M and our main mission was to look at the collection that was inspired by Beyonce. The garments showed the aesthetic of the inspired with short skirts, shorts, maxi dresses, cropped tops, button up shirts, two- piece bikini's, and a variety of accessories. I felt the material and within a second I knew that these pieces would not last long. The material is super light weight and can easily be torn or shrunk. The prices match perfectly to the garments and each piece were made offshore either from Bangladesh, Turkey, Indonesia, etc.
Across the street Uniqlo stands tall with fun welcoming displays. I was able to take more photos inside without anyone watching my every move. Bright colors and high tech displays make you want to explore every part of the store, making you hungry for more. I took my time feeling the material. Its quality was better than H&M. Their products are made from cotton, polyester, and blended fibers from silk. I discovered in my search that the store mainly manufactures their clothes from China.
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| Outside of Uniqlo |
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| Women's Clothing |
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| Men's Clothing |
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Women's Clothing
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Offshore Manufacturing
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| China Blue Film |
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| Bangladesh Fire in 2012 |
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| Bangladesh Factory Collapse 2013 |
I watched two films a few months ago called The Triangle Fire and China Blue. Both were about sweatshops and the danger that people live through to complete deadlines and put clothes on our backs. I had to answer some questions that were given to me; one that lingured in my mind was, "How has sweatshops changed from 100 years ago?" This question burned in my mind as I watched both of the films carefuly and wrote down as much information as I could.
Sweatshops from 100 years ago were compacted and there wasn't enough room for the women or children to work. They were forced to work 12 hours without breaks and were only paid less than two dollars a day. Within those hours if a mistake was made, a days pay was not given. At the end of the day, the employee's had to line up in front of the only exit out and they were checked to see if they did not steal any goods. With only one exit out many people did not survive when the factory when up in flames.
These disaters still happen today and no lesson has been learned because the owners of the factories want to earn more. Laws regaurding minimium wage, safety, breaks, health environment, and child labor are not taken seriously. The proof is shown in China Blue . What would it take for one's eyes to see the truth? We are entering a whole new century and yet sweatshops have not changed. What would it take to protect these people?
