There are so many negative and destructive facets to the fashion industry that for years we've just accepted as 'that's the way it is'. High-street and fast fashion has resulted in devastating environmental impacts and demands for lower and lower prices caused horrific human rights violations in developing countries. At the other end high-fashion has destroyed young girls mental and physical health by promoting anorexic body types as aspiration and sexualising children. All the while seducing us into consuming more and more. I don't like that.
These latest artworks are just a flash of reality on fashion adverts. Strip away all the bullshit and the Wizard of Oz was a little man behind a curtain making big decisions that effected a lot of people. He's Phil Green demanding lower and lower prices. When someone buys a £1 bikini from BooHoo, that's a tiny act that is part of a much larger chain that ultimately leads to the death of over a 1000 people in a factory collapse in Bangladesh.
I've always loved a bit of harmless bootlegging. Those mis-spelt brand names you see down the market. Ace. A few years ago I released a range of slogan T's that sold in some massive stores in Italy and Japan. Things like 'Destroy Something Beuatiful' and 'Fashion Destroys Evreything'. Not one buyer mentioned the misspelling. I still wonder if anyone actually noticed...
And finally, what are you doing to survive lockdown?
I've been pretty much listening to the Manics - Holy Bible album on repeat. It's coming up to 30 years old and all of the subjects Richey wrote about then are just as relevant now. Depressingly inspiring or inspiringly depressing....
And tattooing my legs.
