Dilemmas of Development and The Reconstruction of Fashion

Sustainable development by its nature appears elusive. It seems the more we try to capture and pin it down the more it moves away from us leading us into murkier waters and all manner of contradictions. No more is this felt than in the fashion industry where we are presented with a number of oppositions. The fashion cycle renders styles obsolete before they have worn out generating waste and over-consumptive practices. But it can also bring into the fore practices that have resonance to sustainable development in terms of their location, orientation and consideration for the environment. As studies emerge considering the detrimental environmental impacts of the manufacture and consumption of new clothes, second-hand clothes have become a focus for research endeavours considering how they can be reincorporated into the fashion system and have resonance to an ever ‘fashion’ hungry consumer. This chapter discusses methods for the processing of second-hand clothes into fashionable items and, by drawing on the wealth of ‘waste’ materials through reselling, restyling and remanufacturing, argues that ways of re-appropriating them into a more environmentally focused fashion industry is possible and necessary. It sets out as it hypothesis that the global fashion system has value in its transformative powers but that damaging and exploitative forces are still preventing it from being a force for good. This is due to the nature of the items being produced, the way they are manufactured and how they are ultimately consumed and disposed of

Exploring opportunities and barriers of community based entrepreneurship within handloom communities in Sri Lanka

Community based entrepreneurship (CBE) is an entirely different economic development approach from the traditional manufacturer’s base. Also CBE is considered as a promising solution to the livelihood development of small communities in developing countries and acknowledge that it has highest potential in contributing to the economic development as well. Opportunities for CBE within craft traditions have long been recognized as a significant area for development with potential to improve the socio-economic condition of communities. Therefore, this paper attempts to investigate potential openings and barriers for entrepreneurship development in the handloom weaving communities in Sri Lanka. The underpinning research is based on the qualitative exploratory stage of an ongoing study. Based on case study and participatory action research (PAR) approaches, a purposive sampling technique was used to select craftsmen from two handloom communities. The results were analysed taking an emic focus to properly represent findings from participant’s terms and viewpoints in line with our PAR approach. Data was then conceptualized, coded and categorized. The findings of the study reveals that there are opportunities for CBE alongside with the ongoing economic processes of the country and also a number of corresponding challenges that need to be addressed for the sustainable development of Sri Lanka through empowering traditional craft communities and direct them with the mainstream market. Currently possessed operational skills, in hand resources and the use of ethical manufacturing process could positively contribute towards this CBE initiation attempt appreciating the group approach with mutual trust among communities. Also CBE has identified key barriers to develop as: lack of entrepreneurial skills, absence of direct market access, shortfall in networking and communication skills