#week 7

I started seven weeks ago at 119.2 kg. Last week, I weighed in at 113.4 kg. I set my weigh-in goal for today at 112.3 kg.

Today, I am weighing in at 114.5 kg. The weekend definitely threw off my progress, but we persist.

The odder trend is that according to my tape measurements this morning, I've hit 38.3% body fat, gaining 2% body fat and losing 1.6 kg of muscle. It's hard to believe two days of eating like crap would destroy my gains like that, so I'm chalking it up to water weight. We'll see how things settle out next Tuesday. Again, we persist. This week I don't have any parties or detours, and my shoulder pain is dwindling, so I should be able to have a more straightforwardly healthy week with more gym time.

Next week's weight goal: 113.4 kg

WIP Wednesday: week #7 of crochet raven shawl 🐦‍⬛ has the first (and largest) panel complete with 40 feathers and the second panel (of three) underway with 12 of 38 feathers. For context, the table is 6' long... so I'm guessing the first panel is close to 7'. 😬

Week 7 Follow-up! Photobook v1

This week I began making the first version of my photobook focusing entirely on Karangahape Road and how a group of photographs can come together to form a cohesive story. Instead of each photograph acting solely as its own individual photograph I began thinking about sequencing, the flow of images and the journey each viewer would take through my photobook, starting from the first page and working through to the last. I really focused on bringing out the feeling of K Road through the people within it, the local businesses, architecture, street art and everyday, often overlooked moments of K Road.

Week 7 follow-up! I enjoyed this week spent with my camera roaming about on Karangahape Road and Queen Street. I had wanted to look at how different parts of the streets function, what people get up to and how they inhabit different areas. Specifically, the interaction between local businesses, architecture and people in the vicinity. As I wandered through the streets I was able to document different scenarios such as, busy cafes, shop fronts, more secluded alleyways, old architecture and small, unique street features.

I saw a big red flannel with a CTA link the first minute I opened my Instagram. It caught my attention for a short while, then hmmm.. never mind, I just continued to scroll through.  Not in the mood of buying a shirt. Then I saw a sparkling gown bedazzled with crystals, shown through an ad that says it’s sold at 20 bucks. The quality isn’t that nice, but it did catch my attention. 

That made me reflect on something deeper. Some of these clothes almost feel like soft-scams in disguise. They are marketed to look affordable and stylish, but in reality, they often lack durability and long-term value. We buy them thinking we are getting a good deal, but many of these items end up worn once or twice before being forgotten in the closet. They slowly lose meaning, turning into waste rather than wardrobe staples. 

This is where fast fashion connects directly to the digital community. The constant cycle of online advertising, viral hauls, and trend culture encourages overconsumption without us even realising it. According to Vogue (2020), social media has made fast fashion consumption emotionally rewarding because trends move rapidly and users constantly feel pressured to keep up with online aesthetics. 

However, this is definitely not the end of the world. The problem leads to an alternative: slow fashion. According to Fletcher (2010), slow fashion is defined as a movement that prioritizes quality, sustainability, ethical production, and long-term use of clothing rather than mass production and rapid trend cycles.  

Joy et al. (2012) argues that consumers are becoming more aware of how their fashion choices affect workers, the environment, and long-term sustainability. This shows that fashion is no longer only about appearance, but also about responsibility and conscious consumption. The purpose of slow fashion is to promote fashion trend that focuses on quality, durability, ethical production, and sustainability rather than mass production and fast-changing trends. Also, don’t be thrown off too quick, because slow fashion may sound difficult or extra through the words, but in reality, slow fashion is ingrained in our daily choices and habits. Here are some examples of slow fashion habits that you’re probably already familiar with. 

1. Thrifting

Thrifting is cooler than you think. Aesthetics and fashion don’t always win just because they are new. Real gems can be found through pre-loved clothes. Buying clothes from thrift shops not only extends the life of clothing and reduces waste, it can be a whole new fashion experience for some people. 

2. Upcycle Fashion

Upcycling means turning old clothes into new designs. This reduces textile waste and gives old items a new life. 

3. Ethical Slow Fashion Brands

Brands matter a lot in slow fashion. Some brands focus on fair wages, sustainable materials and long-lasting designs instead of quick mass production. 

Examples include brands that use organic cotton, recycled fabrics, and transparent production methods.

4. Capsule wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe means owning fewer clothing pieces that can be mixed and matched easily. It focuses on versatility and long-term use.

In the end, the question is not just about what we buy, but why we buy it. Maybe the next time we see another tempting fashion ad while scrolling online, we should pause for a second and ask ourselves: “Do I actually need this?” 

Week 7 Reflection: Digital Citizenship Case Study: Social Media Influencers and the Slow Fashion Movement

References

Fletcher, K. (2010). Slow Fashion: An Invitation for Systems Change. Fashion Practice, 2(2), 259–266. ResearchGate – Slow Fashion: An Invitation for Systems Change 

Vogue. (2020). Is Fast Fashion an Addiction? Vogue – Is Fast Fashion an Addiction?