Annabel Lindsay
SELF-REFLECTIVE ESSAY
REA LIS ATI ON
MA Fashion + Business Manchester Fashion Institute Manchester Metropolitan University
ALindsay
A Personal + Professional Manifesto
19000613 | Word Count: 1000
Realisation Self-Reflective Essay
Annabel Lindsay (Read)
Learning Experience
Personal Position on the
RUSH HOUR At 8:59pm, I clicked submit and with shortness of breath, tried to calm down my nervous state. I have never submitted a piece of work so late before. But this spoke volume about the level of effort I’d invested into this project, alongside potential
time
management
shortcomings
-
an area which I typically pride myself on. The parallel emotional ups and downs of the project’s curation, is arguably summarised by the mix of relief and panic which overwhelmed me, as I rapidly clicked the trackpad and my submission went
through,
with
seconds
to
9:00pm.
A huge factor in pursuing this Master’s was uncovering my passion for the circular fashion movement, in my final year at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU). Meaning the roadmap which led to a 1-minute-to-the-deadline submission actually
commenced
back
in
2018…
THE LONG ROAD As a development from my final SHU project, elements of Realisation have been ideas in my head for 2 years. Finally exploring these further has been incredibly rewarding. In many ways this was my passion project, as I got to delve into a subject I feel strongly for and see how my creative vision since the initial idea, has since developed. This project permitted my imagination running a little wild, as I envisioned the possibilities embedded, fashion existing
within
concept
a
conceptualised
store.
experiential
Initially,
and
I
circular
researched
sustainable
retail/
non-retail spaces. Findings of which further evidenced that retail scenarios don’t have to and shouldn’t be focused around products, but
rather
the
retail
experience
itself.
CONSTRUCTION AHEAD So, there I was, a post-bachelors and now masters fashion student,
researching
bio-based
building
insulations
and
glue-laminated timbers; stepping out of my comfort zone to
investigate
circularity
within
construction.
And
so,
I
realised the interconnectedness of fashion with the spaces that it exists in and how we operate within those spaces. With a foundation of building construction insight, I was able to produce informed concept store designs, with a level of input that actually showcased circular constructionbased application. After finalising the store design, I began sourcing
and
envisioning
its
contents.
This
was
by
no
means intended to be a traditional retail space, however a reoccurring argument amongst my research, addressed the issue of bridging gaps between discussion and action. Therefore, traditional retail elements were incorporated to ease supposed transition from linear to circular experiences. Although keen to focus efforts in the North, I was faced with limited accessibility to brands directly addressing sustainable fashion from circular stances. To overcome this bump in the road, I applied a certification requirement process which I originally theorised at SHU. Therefore, the store, whilst theoretically not housing 100% circular brands and services, fulfils its role at bringing circularity-advancing initiatives to the public. Simultaneously acting as a catalyst, facilitating future
demands
for
circular
innovation
and
integration
amongst CIRC_LAR + U’s proposed brand/services portfolio.
+ seitilacitirC ,seussI
Issues, Criticalities +
Personal Reflection
noitcelfeR lanosreP
STICK-IT-IN-REVERSE Potential
scopes
of
this
project
meant
that
finding a cut-off point was challenging. Initially I was way over the wordcount and had hoped to produce a store user-guide handbook. Past tutors have told me that I work in reverse, as in I do everything I can think of, and then strip back what I don’t need- or can’t fit into the word count. Arguably not the most economical strategy. Despite dedicating countless hours, the handin was stressful as I ‘finessed’ my project right up to the end. My perfectionist traits, which can be a blessing and a curse, mean that I hold myself and my work to high, sometimes unrealistic
standards.
prioritise
where
my
more
actually
add
to
Sometimes efforts
were
overall
failing
to
needed
project
value.
My emotional attachment to CIRC_LAR + U arguably intensified this, as I definitely analysed each with
design, increased
content
and
scrutiny
writing
and
decision
self-criticality.
DIVERSION AHEAD The
project
Covid-19 Sudden
took
an
induced halting
unforeseen
a
nationwide
of
turn
as
lockdown.
face-to-face
contact
changed the dynamic of my learning process. What was already a highly independent project became and
pretty
much
self-resourced.
entirely
I’m
self-directed
thankful
for
weekly
Skype sessions with my tutor, which ensured my project was moving in the right direction and I
offered
also
had
fleeting to
take
senses a
of
diverted
normality.
route
when
developing my store interiors. Keen to try my hand at architectural/interior design software, I was in the process of reaching out to the interior
design
closure.
faculty
Unsuccessful
just
before
university
communications
led
me to implement my Photoshop and InDesign skillset, using YouTube tutorials to advance my ability
at
achieving
3D-effects,
perspectives
and proportions. Not only am I happy with how but
the I’ve
overall
digital
enhanced
designs
skillsets
turned
which
will
out, likely
be of more practical future use- sometimes alternative routes have more scenic outcomes.
Fu
e r tu
na so r Pe
ct ire l D
s n io
NEXT STEPS Whilst
adjusting
instead
of
the
to
working
university
from
home
environment,
I
realised with the time left, that I’d be unable to contact and establish rapport with people, whom
may
of
to
the
content I
believe
that
added
additional
research
the
criterions
or
value-
outcomes.
and
aims
of
Realisation were adequately fulfilled but also organically leads into a new phase. As I intend to
undergo
the
experiential
digitisation
of
CIRC_LAR + U, I’ll be able to actively explore Realisation’s collaboration-based themes and concepts, with input from third-party players. Going forward, I intend to operate solely under the name ‘CIRC_ULAR + U’ as opposed to ‘Howtloop’, as it’s: a)
visually striking
b)
easier to understand
c)
streamlines the overall brand image,
rather than having two separate brand names.
Upon
reflection,
I
acknowledge
that I’m a highly independent and self-driven student. But I also now understand
that
balance
between
working and knowing when to step back, is just as beneficial to a project’s development (making the journey, as important
as
the
destination
itself).
Fuelled with this knowledge and recharged batteries, I am raring to begin the next phase of CIRC_LAR + U.
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Annabel Lindsay