Abstract

This paper reports on a research project aimed at investigating ways in which fashion activism and making can be used to catalyze positive socio-economic change and activate legacies within a local community. The project focused on a neighborhood in London with a previously strong industrial profile in fashion and textiles, and now challenged by concerns regarding deprived youth, skills shortage, decline in local manufacturing, and high unemployment rates. To tackle such challenges, this participatory action research project comprised a range of fashion activism interventions. The project was developed through a partnership between a Higher Education Institution and local government and contributed to activating change from within the system. The approach adopted is defined as “middle-up-down” as it bridges bottom-up initiatives activated by grassroots communities with top-down services delivered by support organizations. The outcomes of the project are discussed in relation to the key themes emerging from the project evaluation: sustainability awareness, empowerment and skills development, career pathways, and community engagement. In demonstrating how a “quiet” form of activism can be used as an embedded and situated approach to co-designing meaningful social innovations within the local community, the paper also outlines the limitations of the project and recommendations for future work.

摘要

本文报道了一个研究项目，旨在调查如何利用时尚行动主义和时尚创造来促进积极的社会经济变革并激活当地社区的遗产。该项目重点关注伦敦的一个社区，该社区以前在时尚和纺织方面拥有强大的工业形象，但现在面临着对青年贫困、技能短缺、当地制造业衰退和高失业率的担忧的挑战。为了应对这些挑战，这个参与性行动研究项目包括一系列时尚行动主义干预措施。该项目是通过高等教育机构和地方政府之间的合作开发的，有助于激活系统内部的变革。所采用的方法被定义为“从中到下”，因为它将基层社区发起的自下而上的举措与支持组织提供的自上而下的服务联系起来。项目成果的讨论与项目评估中出现的关键主题有关：可持续性意识、赋权和技能发展、职业道路和社区参与。在展示如何使用“安静”形式的行动主义作为嵌入和情境方法在当地社区内共同设计有意义的社会创新时，本文还概述了该项目的局限性和对未来工作的建议。可持续发展意识、赋权和技能发展、职业道路和社区参与。在展示如何使用“安静”形式的行动主义作为嵌入和情境方法在当地社区内共同设计有意义的社会创新时，本文还概述了该项目的局限性和对未来工作的建议。可持续发展意识、赋权和技能发展、职业道路和社区参与。在展示如何使用“安静”形式的行动主义作为嵌入和情境方法在当地社区内共同设计有意义的社会创新时，本文还概述了该项目的局限性和对未来工作的建议。