Sorry,
Lost Connection By Maddie Gunson
Connection to each other Technology is taking over. Through lockdown, virtual dating was at its pinnacle increasing 19%. Tinder reported their highest number of swipes on March 29th, 2020. Dating apps were used as match makers pre-pandemic, with the sole purpose to meet up and date in the real world. However, lockdown prevented everyone from doing this, so instead, the population stated virtual dating. Conversations were 32% longer during the pandemic, in app video calls became available and the rest is history. The population adapted quickly to online dating, so now, post pandemic, why are we still stuck in virtual reality. Conceptual photography of chairs making love, sitting next to one another, with clothing draped as if someone should embody them, symbolises this loss of connection with each other. Connection to self The lockdown identity crisis.
Introduction. ‘Sorry, Lost Connection’ is a book based on a post pandemic world. Through the stresses of lockdown and our reliance on technology, our inner connection has been lost. This book focuses on four key areas of lost connection; The Self, Each other, The Planet and Fashion. Intertwining the themes through editorial styling and inter-connected photography, this book opens up the lost connection, lived and experienced, in hope of re-connecting ourselves.
Our feeling of belonging slowly dissipated during the pandemic, many individuals furloughed, working from home, not having the reward system that was present in day-to-day life. There are many ways people define themselves, however it is usually through their peers. Similar dress styles, interests, external validation, this was impossible to have during lockdown. Post pandemic, the population is still struggling with self-identity. Almost one in four people are craving a job change, 25% increase in anxiety and depression and divorce rates rising. Ambiguity of a face and the absence of a body captures the lost connection with the self. Connection to Planet ‘ASOS triples profits as Covid crisis boosts online sales’. The UK sales growth alone increased by 39%, and the environment is the thing that suffers. The fast fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions. Most fast fashion is synthetic, making it cheap, but non-biodegradable. The thirst for new trends and the quick turnaround of fast fashion, makes the addiction for it a never-ending cycle. Thankfully, some consumers are opting for more sustainable choices, but this is only a minority. This book shows the connection between clothing and the environment, portraying how these elements should work in harmony. I hope the photography brings you happiness and makes you realise the beauty of our world. Connection to Fashion “The state of fashion is sweatpants” according to an anonymous source. There has been a huge acceleration in athleisure and lounge wear pre and post pandemic. Staying at home all day, or trying to work out, everyone chose comfort over fashion identity. With weddings, birthdays and social life in general cancelled during lockdown, casualisation has taken place, and that’s not just in the home space. Casual Fridays at work have become the new norm, drifting away from formal wear. Post pandemic and the athleisure, sweat pants, puffer coat trend has stayed. Not only is this expressionless and uncreative, everybody looks clone like. The bright colours, sharp contours and individuality has disappeared like our lives before lockdown. To help re-connect individuals to fashion, take inspiration from the editorial styling.
Connection to Self “Nothing feels the same anymore, going from being trapped in the house to freedom means a lot of things are too overwhelming and overstimulating now” - Anonymous
Connection to the Planet “Our appetite for fast fashion is poisoning the environment” - Green Peace
By 2050, the fashion industry will be responsible for a quarter of the world’s carbon budget. - Green Peace
Connection to Each other In 2021, there were 6.44 million Tinder downloads
“The pandemic has thrown people off the linear dating trajectory which, in principle, involved swiping, matching, meeting for a date, having a relationship and getting married.” - BBC news
Connection to Fashion “For work I have a relaxed dress code as it is, so when lockdown came about, my clothing choice got even more casual. When I was off sick with my mental illness, I only wore sweats but this was detrimental psychologically. In the mornings, I made sure I got up, had a shower and got dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. As a kid, wearing pyjamas and sweats reminded me of when I was ill or tired, therefore to try and get out of this mental state, I try and get dressed. It really helped me” - Anonymous
Acknowledgements This book could not have been completed without the support and help from my peers and tutors. Their help with editorial interventions and creative guidance has morphed this book into something meaningful, deep and eye opening. Thank you all for taking the time to look through this book, I hope it has changed your mindset and re-connected you to yourself, others, the planet and fashion. Student Work Thank you to the individuals who allowed me to feature their work in my book. Christopher Hodge Joe Hill Alice Sunderland Sophie Warnett Chawisa Deesomboom Rebecca Pennock Becca Herron Models Vanessa Obas Olivia Camps