EDITOR'S LETTER
raze /reiz/ (verb) past tense: razed; past participle: razed 1. completely destroy (a building, town, or other settlement).
W
hile 2020 may not have given us much to celebrate, there’s one phrase that became more prevalent over the last 12 months: “I can’t wait to go back to normal.” But what is normal now? At first, it may sound quite innocent, and – of course, we all long for comfort during these uneasy times. Who wouldn’t want to live in a world beyond a deadly pandemic? Or to see their friends and loved ones again, celebrating a birthday or pay-raise? Or never hearing the word ‘social distancing’ again? Who wouldn’t want to feel happy and calm and … normal? But the truth is that there is no ‘normal’ to return to, because ‘normal’ wasn’t working – ‘normal’ is what got us here. The boisterous events of 2020 made it abundantly clear that the system built on injustice, ignorance, and exploitation wasn’t working. In order for us to grow, and be better; do better, we must not look back at the mistakes of our past. We must rethink the many aspects of our lives; our values, our attitudes, our compassion, our priorities. What and how we consume. What we stand for and how we voice it. This is precisely what this magazine is all about: voicing the incredible work of sustainability-focused changemakers within fashion. Giving them a space to display their creativity, their honourable passion of sustainability, and their drive to change the system from within, while simultaneously allowing the reader to explore and learn of new initiatives in fashion design. The story of Olivia Weber (page 6), a craftsman dedicated to supplying low-income mothers with necessary skills to find employment is an accurate representation of the direction of this magazine. A selfless act of kindness and compassion; fundamental in the aftermath of the pandemic. Meanwhile, a special editorial and interview with Looped Reworked (page 22) founder and creative director, Beth Arthurs, explores the process of learning about sustainability, and opening a
business in the wake of a pandemic. At the hight of lockdowns throughout the world, the usually-stubborn fashion industry turned to the digital realm for aid with fashion week shows and presentations in September. Designers, fashion houses, and creatives embracing the long-available resources for which Diane Wallinger (page 32) has mastered in a short space of time. Her digital collection is a futuristic euphoria – quite literally. Speaking of her current collection; a journey of emotional and physical wellbeing influenced by material, colour, and meditative state, takes the consumer on a path of exploring the future of fashion. It is a magazine highlighting devotion for a better future of our people and our planet. Interviews with sustainability experts, the great Elisa Palomino (page 18) and Katherine Pogson (page 30), share the innovative and alternative ways of production within the industry – ones that do not generate waste and destruction, but hone in on by-products and change of global perspective. Completing the issue is an article from NHS’ finest psychologist and a dear friend of mine, Eleanor Ciarciaglini, who dives into the psychological influences clothing has on our identity and wellbeing, as well as how it can influence our behaviour – especially when shopping sustainably. I feel privileged to provide a space for all these creative change-makers, designers, and illustrators – to have had the opportunity to speak to them about their work and hopes of the future of the industry. Some may be hopeful, but some consider more work needs to be done – and we are here precisely to do that. Welcome to the first issue of RAZD Magazine.
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