At the very least, we are all aware of the many vocabulary words associated with the basics and fundamentals of clothing. It is a universal language that we use daily to communicate our likes, feelings and thoughts. Words uttered by both the fashionable and normal dressed folk has traveling faster than sound.
At the base of it, there are experts in these industries that help to advance the language, the concepts and the basics surrounding fashion. One such individual is style expert Jeffrey Ampratwum – Menswear Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology. We spoke briefly with Jeffrey about why education within fashion has become the most important conversation in this ever revolving industry.
Question:Welcome, Jeffrey. What makes this particular conversation such a hot topic?
Jeffrey: I believe everyone is trying hard to be inclusive of everyone’s position within life and how that translates into representation. So essentially, fashion becomes an area that cannot be ignored. We are twisting words every which way and redefining titles that we feel can be or have been offensive or exclusive to certain groups of people. Therefore, we are now taking a closer look at how we describe everything.
Question: Does this cause issues within the community?
Jeffrey: Not necessarily. Generically, it has to happen. However, there are several areas of study in fashion take advances an entire community. At the moment, we are having a discussion about the idea of sustainability and why this is most important and necessary in order for a future to exist for our industry. We are addressing concerns about waste of fabric and it’s contribution to our climate. There are growing concerns globally about these areas – which have took on a life of its own. In any instant, it is important that we provide a space that is safe and open for a discussion for our younger minds. They will be the ones to ultimately drive change.
If I may – let us first start by stating that, everything in fashion is up for discussion and most of it comes from a subjective point of view. What is important to one person, may seem frivolous to the next and vice versa. However, we must not dismiss any conversation though, because they are all healthily for the growth of us as a community.
Question:Is this what you teach essentially?
Jeffrey: My classes are focused on styling and using styling as a language to communicate. The message could be driven by beauty, allure, confidence or love or all. My students are then entering new levels of styling fixed with experiences from their upbringing and also what they love the most in life. I am interested in them telling their stories with the clothes that they have available to them or telling someone else’s story by engaging with their subject (model) closely in order to convey that message. It is layered and it is elevated.
Question: How does this translate into real life circumstances and experiences?
Jeffrey: Clothing and presentation is an extension of self. Before you say a single word, you have already communicated messages by your appearance. This is a powerful unspoken tool that many of us do not realize how to leverage. Essentially, my teaching philosophy encompasses all of these intimate areas and expands on the idea of broadening experiences, widening thoughts and ultimately lighting a creative fire.
Follow JEFFREY AMPRATWUM on Instagram: @jeffreyampratwum
