With the constantly changing political and social climate, it’s hard to keep up with key events that take place. Each week we compile a highlight of notable events so that you can remain informed about current art, design, sustainability and marketing developments.
The Legacy of Issey Miyake
Iconic fashion designer Issey Miyake passed away on August 5, 2022 following his struggle with liver cancer. He leaves behind a legacy that transformed the potential of fashion and material possibilities. Miyake is well known and revered for his innovative fashion and technological developments, and previously worked alongside fashion designers Guy Laroche and Hubert de Givenchy.
Miyake was part of an era that questioned Eurocentric fashion and challenged it; rejecting Western focus on symmetry and tidiness and introducing Japanese aesthetic systems into their designs. His clothing was not only practical but rooted in the idea that the wearer sparks life into the outfit. He is most well-known for developing a new method of pleating by wrapping fabrics between layers of paper and putting them into a heat press, with the clothing retaining the imprinted shape. The freedom of movement of these clothes reflects the core beliefs behind his designs. He would go on to establish his signature “Pleats, Please” line as a result.
“My fascination has been the space between cloth and the body, and using a two-dimensional element to clothe a three-dimensional form.” - Issey Miyake
Surveillance Concerns Following Facebook Supplying Abortion Data
Facebook is facing massive criticism following the disclosure of Messenger transcripts between a 17 year old girl and her mother following illegal abortion suspicions. Although this occurred just before the controversial overturning of Roe v Wade, it sparked massive conversations regarding data privacy in post-Roe society.
Data privacy is collected to personalise user experiences, compile data and sell information. But what makes it concerning is the lack of laws regulating how user data is collected, stored or shared, with the responsibility of digital privacy left up to corporations to decide. The increase of surveillance and invasion of personal information as best demonstrated following Roe v Wade is reminiscent of 1984 and it leaves one thing clear; data privacy is a human rights issue.
But it’s not just text messages and calls that people are worried about. The vast array of data collection tools means that purchase histories, online searches, location data and fertility apps can be used to incriminate and prosecute people. People have abandoned use of period tracker app Flo, which shares data with Meta, for fear of information being used against them in the case of stillborn births or abortions.
Hesta investment into fossil fuels despite climate change commitment
HESTA is one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds and present themselves on the forefront of climate change action through their advertising and net-zero investment portfolio claims. But their claims of aligning their investment strategy with the Paris Agreement and plans to reduce their portfolio emissions to net zero by 2050 translates to nothing more than corporate greenwashing.
They have over $2 billion invested into companies actively expanding fossil fuels, including Woodside and Santos - Australia’s two biggest gas and oil companies pursuing new fossil fuel projects in Australia and who majorly contribute to global warming.
Climate advocacy group Market Forces assisted over a hundred healthcare workers in transferring an estimated $11.7 million out of HESTA. But it’s not just HESTA that have greenwashed claims - there is a lack of clarity overall that makes discerning genuine sustainability action from super funds a struggle.