Published:
With our Graduate Showcase launching next week, we caught up with some of our graduating students to find out more about their final year projects.
This Student Spotlight features BA (Hons) Interior Design student, Louise Bloor and her project, Immersive Retail & Exhibition Space which addresses Fast Fashion and the death of the High Street.
The harmful effects of fast fashion are the focus of my final project. The fashion industry has been rated as the second most polluting in the world, behind oil. Consumers' constant desire for new apparel is a significant factor in the environmental impact. This results in a business approach that is undoubtedly wasteful, especially when combined with the fashion companies' deliberate depreciation, which ensures that products wear out quickly owing to subpar production quality.
As stores close on high streets, which used to be the heart of cities and towns, in-person shopping may become less tempting. Building shops that aren't just for shopping but also spaces to learn, interact and mingle is necessary if we want to rejuvenate high streets.
The project intends to directly address the core causes of the unsustainable nature of the fashion industry, including low apparel utilisation, ephemeral products, and low rates of post-use recycling. Along with a retail space for small and sustainable brands, the area will host workshops, exhibitions, fashion shows, and a rental shop, all of which will help promote more environmentally friendly high-street shopping.
The design speaks to the desire to move away from disposable products and towards items with a lower environmental impact. Pre-owned purchases are much more morally righteous than new ones, especially in today’s world of mass consumption. This notion can also be applied to interior design. The timeless styles with a lived-in quality are the hallmark of the Vintage Revival theme. This concept plays with vintage elements that exude personality and heritage aspects that are vivid and compelling. It is a sister style to mid-century modern décor. In addition to preventing waste, this enables reimagination that is consistent with the project’s objectives. The original materials of the structure as well as the well-preserved heritage of Edinburgh served as inspiration for the design.
You can see more of Louise's work on Instagram @louisebloor.id