“When it comes to fashion, sometimes you don’t
need to talk at all,” says Bradley Livingston, a second-year
fashion student at George Brown College. In the past
decade, topics of fashion and self-expression have become
controversial, as they usually spark an opportunity for
debate over the industry’s contribution to unattainable
beauty standards and unsustainable practices. At 19,
Bradley has created a way to be his ‘unapologetic self’
while still being mindful of his consumption and the
support of reputable brands. In economically stressful times where fast fashion is complicated to not
participate in due to its low prices, it’s still possible to progress through a new era of sustainable,
inclusive fashion.
Growing up in the fashion capital of Toronto, Bradley had an interesting self-journey with
fashion, crediting his primary influence as television and what he was surrounded by in his childhood;
“I give credit to the people around me. Everyone has been quite notably fashionable, especially my
mom - always dressing up with [her] for church every Sunday.” Bradley states that it is crucial to
always remember those who inspired you. By connecting with your interests, you can find your
authentic self-expression through those: “Looking at old family photos… reuniting with your inner
child. That’s what inspires me.” With pop culture at the tip of our fingers, it has become easier to look
for inspiration and delve into fashion. However, that also leaves space for falling into beauty standards
and harmful trends. I asked Bradley how fashion has impacted his self-esteem over the years. He
smiled and said, “This is most definitely my favourite question,” still smiling, he continued, “I’m
going to try my best to answer this question for you to understand correctly: Fashion has contributed a
great deal in filling in the gaps. [Even though] I was never all content with myself, I was still happy
with the fact that I’m not shy with how I dress.” Clothing can be a first step in finding yourself, as it
can be experimented with daily; it can be simple and still say enough about who you are.
With fast fashion being the main topic of the current fashion world, the global climate is not
the only thing that impacts fashion. With the rise of AI, it has become easier for fast-fashion brands to
scan designs by independent designers and sell the
same product for less. I asked Bradley how he feels
about fast fashion and its controversies, to which he
responded, “It does offer accessibility to those who are
less privileged and cannot afford high fashions,” which
is why it is such a complex subject. It’s much easier
said than done to just stop buying fast fashion, as one
may not be aware of the difference, especially with the
normalization of high prices on low-quality items. With
Bradley’s ever-evolving style, you would assume that
keeping up with current trends would mean over-consumption. Still, Bradley has created a routine to
make sure he is careful with his fashion choices. I asked, “What actions are you taking to promote
sustainability and inclusivity within your fashion journey?” he responded, “As much as I love
shopping, I just… don’t. I shop every 4-6 months, which I think gives
me enough time to reflect on the exact things I want, and think about
things that are more important than others in my wish list.” By
ensuring that you are not participating in the quick come-and-go
trends fast fashion has created, there need to be specific goals created
within your own fashion. By learning how to shop, you can ensure an
eco-friendly, fulfilling capsule wardrobe by making a wishlist,
avoiding the temptation to over-buy, and researching the brands you
buy from.
I asked Bradley what he envisioned as our next step in fashion. He thinks it is still possible
for the industry to improve: he responded to this question immediately by saying, “Some men actually
do want to wear heels!” Fashion inclusivity does not just include plus-sizes but also genderless
clothing and what is called the ‘pink tax.’ Already, in times of economic stress, women are more
likely to suffer at the hands of unfair pricing; the ‘pink tax’ refers to the phenomenon where items that
are catered toward women are more expensive compared to male products. Normalizing inclusivity
and genderless clothing can create a path toward equal pricing, which can further benefit the high
prices in fashion we see today.
“What advice would you give someone looking to cultivate their unique style?” I asked as
my final question, to which I got my favourite answer: “Live, dress, do something. Express yourself
today in a way you tomorrow can be proud of.” Throughout this interview, Bradley kept reiterating
how important it is to reconnect with yourself and constantly learn from others. Fashion is never a
consistent path that can always be predicted, and there is also no correct answer to how to participate;
“It takes time, but you can truly get to a state of mind where you can be so unapologetically you
where it repels what is not meant for you.”
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