I’ve never been a political person. In fact, I was always the one to try to avoid them, sure when I turned 18 and was able to vote I did, but nothing really made me be open about my views. Until now. The entire world was shocked and upset with Britain deciding to leave EU “because of immigration” now, being immigrant myself, and may I add, not out of my own will in the first place, I was only 11, and on top of that being in the under 25 category that this referendum will affect the most.
Don’t get me started on how worried I am about the future of my younger sister, who I know this will affect and many others a great deal. Sure, immigration is a problem, but how about the immigrants that come here to work because in their home countries there are no perspectives no matter how hard they work. What about those who came here when they were little and didn’t have much to say about immigration. You know. It makes us feel like shit. At least on my part, I am sorry we’re taking your jobs. I am sorry we work our butts off to provide for our families. I am sorry we’re willing to do jobs that many people of this country would refuse. All of my pure blooded British friends would clarify me as British, being that I’m here for so long and after many years of struggle I would call Britain my home, regardless not having British nationality. I know that my status of working, living and education is not going to change as much. For now. This morning after being angry for the entire day after hearing the reports I began to wonder what does Brexit mean to fashion industry not only in Britain but the world also. In my opinion, creativity has no nationality or language it’s a universal way to communicating without any boundaries. And Britain has always been the top country to rule fashion industry, training the most creative individuals to be the next big thing.As for British fashion education, what’s next. Not letting civilians of EU or world study in England? The great fashion schools such as Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion are part of University of Arts London have only 54% of UK students, EU students being 12% and students outside of EU and UK being 34%. That being little over half of the students that are not British, and even though a large percentage are coming to Britain just to study many after studying are finding jobs and are helping develop British fashion industry.
No wonder already established designers who need that new talent to grow more are not happy, 90% of designers are opposite Brexit, including Vivienne Westwood who among 282 creatives went to sign an open letter against Brexit, and she urged the public to vote “stay” “We must vote remain in the UK referendum,” she said. “It’s about cooperation not competition, about peace, tax reform, working together.” I love this woman even more. However her opinion was not lonely on that matter, designers such as Christopher Raeburn presented pieces that and the word “in” embellished on them during the latest LCM showcase. Just like the designers being the brand Sibling, has shown their support and took the bow at the end of the catwalk both wearing “In” T-shirts to show their opinion on EU referendum. One half of Sibling, Cozette McCreery stated his concerns about leaving the EU: “We sell in Europe, we work with European factories closer to home, many of our friends and our models come from Europe,” she said. She had every right to say so, with fashion manufacturing being really expensive to be made solely in Britain, designers look for other alternatives.
And Europe is where they go to find them. Don’t get me started on the funding British Fashion Industry gets from EU, the European Regional Development Fund has provided millions to London Fashion, it supports fashion education where London College of Fashion receives massive financial benefits to support their students. The ERDF also sponsors British Fashion Council that we all know is behind London Fashion Week, London Collections Men, as well as NEWGEN, BFC/GQ Designer Menswear fund that helps new designers. Overall the EU has funded £5 million to the British Fashion Industry in the last years, helping the most talented designers, stylish and many more achieve their creative goals.
Within hours of the referendum results, Britain has already lost £100 billion! And we all know this will definitely impact the fashion industry, with British currency already dropping significantly and it has already lower value than Euro. And that the pound will be keep dropping according to HSBC. Not only that means that traveling abroad will be more expensive it also means that fashion will become more expensive. With the exchange rate dropping each minute, the costs of making increases, which means we will end up paying way more than we use to for the same thing.
Same goes for traveling which if you work in fashion, it is an essential, from Milan to Paris back to London for FashionWeek was so easy but, with Britain leaving EU the traveling costs will increase, and the right to work all over Europe will be taken away. And the fashion industry works on the right of free movement. We need the right to move from city to city, from country to country in order to make a living. Now British creatives have lots that right. Thanks a lot, Britain! Great job!