Textiles-yr 10 end of year revision

Factors involved in material selection (1-18

What are the 8 main points to consider when considering materials?

Aesthetics, Availability. Cost, Cultural factors, Environmental factors, Ethical factors, Functionality, Social factors

Functionality

How does the material function and how does this contribute to what I need it to do?

Aesthetics

How does the product look and how do the materials and components contribute to this?

Who are the aesthetics focused to?

Client focused or product focused

Environmental factors

How has the sourcing of material used on my product impacted on the environment?

What must we consider in environmental factors? (x5)

How the fibres were produced-natural fibers often use pesticides which can damage soil and water and cause health issues for locals

How they were made into fabrics-most in a factory where there is an overload of CO2 emissions

How the fabric was treated-if it was dyed by chemicals and waste dye normally ends up in the oceans harming sea life

How the fabric is transported-from where it was made to where it will be sold and the carbon footprint of these actions

How it is packaged-excessive use of plastic has a negative impact on the environment as isn’t biodegradable

Availability

How readily available are materials needed in relation to the product?

The availability of a fiber depends on…

Animal fur-is it essential for fashion, what statement are making wearing this, manufactures defy laws to produce these garments

Cashmere-luxury fibres from the goat, doesn’t harm them but takes 4-6 goats to make 1 jumper-expensive

What is the most used fibre in textiles production?

Cotton-on going demand for it but using pesticides can leave an impact on the surrounding area

Cost

What is the target market willing to pay for the product being manufactured?

What is at the forefront of the design process?

The target markets budget-someone wanting bespoke will be aware it will be more costly as made form luxury fabrics and from a skilled professional whereas someone wanting fast fashion will be aware the product won’t be great quality but will be cheaper

Social considerations

Designers must consider the expectations of the society they are designing for

Who is the key focus?

The client

Give an example of social considerations

Topshop California will distribute stock to their branches that is relevant for the target audience, this will be different to Topshop UK who will make a range which will consider the weather of the UK not California

Culteral considerations

Designers must consider culteral obligations out of respect

What can effect fashion choices?

Music, peer pressure- do you need it or are you buying it for a status symbol

Religion- Muslim culture has expectations of females to wear hijabs, shops must recognise this

Ethical considerations

A customers ethics after the choice of product they buy in that they may not agree with how it was made and therefore reject the brand- ethics are down to morals

Give and example of controversial brands

Primark is renowned for their controversial ability to produce cheap garments-exploitation of workers

Canada goose demonstrate zero shame in killing animals to produce products