My reflection on ‘Fashion’s Front and Back’ by Christopher Breward.

‘Fashion’s Front and Back’ by Christopher Breward.

1. Look at the photograph of the C&A factory in Islington. How does this production space compare to modern factories? Compare and contrast with examples both in Britain and abroad.

Of course, first change that is main and very noticeable – no automatic machines or any technologies that are today. In 1955 everything was based on hand made fashion, a lot of employees and sewing machines.

I believe modern factories have way less people working on technical part of garments making, simply because machines and technologies changed them.

I think high-end fashion houses still have a lot seamstress, dressmakers, constructors, cutters, pressers but that is why they are high-end and I do not think you can call them a factory.

In comparison, I remembered seeing a Self-Portrait sharing some pictures and videos from studio in New York on Instagram.

I think they beautifully illustrates a change and a garment making area today.

Less sewing machines, more space for employee.

It looks like loft type of studio, not a factory with a though of making as many as possible as quick as possible.

Videos of machines doing the beautiful Self-Portrait lacing.

https://instagram.com/p/BTvvs8ej-CI/

https://instagram.com/p/BX5VL0jDMut/

There still is hand work in the process, of course. Because human is irreaplacable in some tasks.

On the other hand, this industry has not changed so much. Despite technological development, there is even more people working (especially on ready to wear, street clothes factories) since there are much more shops, people that need to be dressed, moreover, consumer society is taking over the world.

I found so images of factories in Britain nowadays.

2. Breward explains how factories and workrooms in the West End produced goods for fashionable shops in the nearby are, such as Carnaby Street. How did this proximity (or closeness) between the spaces where fashion was made and sold benefit London shops and makers?

• Proximity to many other specialists in fashion industry enabled makers to react swiftly and with minimal outlay to customer demand.

• Because of closeness shops and makers saved money and could expand and improve they shops, develop into flourishing brand, make a living out of garment making.