CHALLENGE + NETWORK: human innovation in fashion

  • Janne Baetsen

With MIND FASHION my aim is to challenge boundaries and provide a refreshing voice and holistic lens to look at today's fashion industry, generating a deep understanding of the human nature and nurture of fashion and its effect on the world. - www.mindfashion.today

We live in a dynamic and continually evolving landscape where the only certainty seems to be uncertainty. Scepticism and optimism intermingle in our communication and social interactions, and boundaries between technology and human experience are blurring. There is no longer a one-size-fits-all approach to categorise, understand or predict why and how people act, learn, belief, feel or buy the way they do, and there is a growing consciousness to improve well-being and the world. 
As a result, the world of fashion is changing just as rapidly, while also facing severe individual, societal and global challenges. Although timeless descriptors such as quality, personality, style, comfort, beauty and elegance are still firmly linked to the notion of fashion (and luxury), a new framework of aspirations and values defines today’s meaning of fashion which is seemingly different to that of previous generations and perceptions.
Within this complex and transforming fashion world, I have developed MIND FASHION: a holistic voice & experimental [re]Framework for Fashion that focuses on human innovation by connecting different minds in - among others - Design, Psychology, Cultural Economics, Philosophy, History, Technology and Communications. 
I believe that fashion, when seen and valued as a powerful language and empowered by psychology and technology, can stimulate collaboration and communication on today's issues including sustainability, 'fear of' change and technology, well-being, mental health, body-image and diversity.

Revealing the human nature of fashion.

Although fashion is an exciting, creative and dynamic industry, it faces severe global environmental and social challenges. Fashion needs now more than ever its voice to express its identity. My objective and drive behind MINDFASHION.today is to educate others to understand the role of humans in choices of fashion consumption, design, production and disposal. As humans not only as consumers. And with this, transforming today’s fashion industry attitudes and issues such as consumer behaviour, body image, environment, health, self-esteem, diversity and creativity, into ones that are environmentally conscious and mindful of human nature.

Network of Minds

MIND FASHION
Let's build connections based on our love for fashion and directed by human aspirations, behaviours, knowledge, experiences and relationships to contribute to the human nature of fashion.
www.mindfashion.today
^ Image: MIND FASHION designer Jo Cope & Photographer Michelle Marshall