Generations Working Together

It is 8:30am and I am sat in a studio at News International Headquarters being questioned why we need a new intergenerational model for work. As a recent graduate I am painfully aware that my generation are paying ridiculous sums of money to attend university only to find when they leave they are unable to find work. Meeting with 27 others concerned with this issue, with speakers from The Times, Youth Employment UK, and SAGA Insurance. A broad group of people sat down to discuss what has become one of the most challenging issues facing the UK. The UK is suffering dual pressure on its welfare system, both from youth unemployment, those aged 16-24 and those in the late 50’s nearing retirement age.  The unemployment rate was 20.8% for those aged 16-24 in the period October-December 2012 last year. The Generations Talking Together work panel confronted this issue by examining which direct provisions could keep both age groups earning.

In what has been termed ‘the baby boom crisis’ millions of ageing Baby Boomers on the brink of retirement not only lost their jobs in the Great Recession but also saw their savings diminish. Older people in the UK who find themselves out of work are increasingly being frozen out of the labour market, with limited chances of finding a job. Unemployed older people are being forced into early retirement with a lack of tailored support to help them find work. Nearly half (49.6%) of all unemployed men in the country who have been out of work for more than a year are over the age of 50, up from 44.8% in 2011.  Older generations are having to become flexible about how they work, whether this is setting up their own businesses or working from home. The Generations Talking Together work panel were faced with the issue of whether the government can provide a role in reducing benefit reliance in the over 50s. Looking at the success rates of business start-ups there is scope to increase the availability of enterprise funding for the age bracket. It has been shown that 48% of entrepreneurs over 50 are more likely to succeed in creating their own business than any other age group. Older workers are more mature, reliable and have developed intrapersonal skills for dealing with clients.

Those aged over 50 shouldn’t be pressurised to retire early but businesses should open up flexible working opportunities so that individuals can pursue tailored retirement plans. Flexi-time has proven to be successful in retail, communications and services sectors. Part time work provides extensive advantages to businesses by providing a full work force at different times, enabling staff holidays and keeping motivation levels high. Can this innovative way of working be transferred into other sectors to increase participation? There should be more alternatives for workers who are forced to give up work early, as often they require an income to support other family members. The UK needs solutions that provide more flexible part-time positions, with continuous training to ensure an efficient work force can be mobilised in different areas.

Youth unemployment is at nearly 1 million for young people.  A shortfall in jobs demonstrates a mismatch between business career prospects and the courses people are prepared to undertake at university. The government have tried to counteract the issue of youth unemployment by funding youth apprenticeships but the uptake of these has been below expected.  It is significant that the government have created attractive apprenticeship opportunities and yet those that it is tailored towards haven’t applied for the schemes. Which raises the question of whether the government’s decision to withdraw Connections, a face-to-face careers advice platform in secondary schools was wise? Connection advisors were placed in secondary schools around the UK and provided a service young people could identify with. The current system lacks appropriate opportunities to gain this crucial guidance. Focused career advice is needed to reduce the disparity between the skills businesses require and the skills students are gaining. Young people need to be given the tools in order to adapt to become more driven and resilient to survive in the current economic climate.

There is a perception in some sectors that those who have left university with a degree are ill equipped to survive in the work environment. Those in higher education require insight into the different skills that are required in full time roles. Mentoring schemes in the work place are extremely important so that young people can demonstrate their use of technology and more experienced workers can show trainees how to communicate with clients. Not only do young individuals require a substantial education but they also need to be enterprising. Undergraduates today need to have their hands in several different pockets at once in order to increase exposure to career opportunities.  

The Solution?

The key to solving these issues is increasing the flexibility of different work schemes. With a re-emergence of some paid and part government funded internships that can be accessed by people from all social backgrounds. New models are forming between the public and private sector such as the Birmingham Job Guarantee funded centrally from Birmingham City Council. The use of technology, specifically cloud computing has enabled businesses to provide services remotely to their clients. Perhaps this technology can be mobilised to provide workers connections with businesses to maximise worker utility. Businesses need to develop more flexible roles to support participation by working mothers and carers. Innovative businesses that are ahead of time already offer workers training remotely. Mobile computing offers a possibility to develop facilities to support and engage with those from a variety of different backgrounds to improve employment prospects. There is role for NGOs to form connections with struggling communities, such as providing an outlet for leadership roles and mentoring opportunities to those most at risk of becoming long term unemployed. It is important that different bodies work together to improve shared practice. The government can directly influence the amount of jobs available to young people by investing in sectors of the economy that have the prospective to grow. Funding has the potential to stimulate new roles in the fields of green energy, technology and care. Part-funded university scholarships in these sectors may well generate workers with the specific skills and training to work in available job vacancies. An important part of this process should be investments in green internships and leadership training across the UK, encouraging the next generation to become active at reinventing themselves and accessing work in new places.

The Generations Talking Together Manifesto, which tackles the issue of intergenerational work, will be presented to both public and private bodies to pursue these ideas further.

Climate change is becoming a hot topic again.

The current outlook

The UN has reported the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere rose to record levels last year, reinforcing scientist’s warnings that the world may be on course for dangerous levels of global warming.  In the wider scientific community it is being felt that the possibility of holding average global warming to under 2 degrees Celsius is slipping away from mankind.

Global climate talks in Doha, Quatar have actually been moving forward with a goal of securing a new accord in 2015. In an interview with Yale Environmental 360 Figueres, the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and woman in charge of United Nations talks about the inevitability of world economies making the transition to a low-carbon future. Figueres discusses the need for politicians to feel the same urgency as climate scientists about the threats posed by global warming. However there are signs that the attitude towards climate change is shifting the Congressional Budget Office issued a 19-page report on the different ways to make a carbon tax less burdensome on lower income people.

The issue of climate change was practically absent during the presidential campaign until Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast. Amidst a budget crisis the carbon tax idea has been revived by some on both the right and left. The devastating hurricane and an election that led to Democratic gains have placed global warming firmly back into conversation. The more liberal Brookings Institution released a “modest carbon tax” proposal that would raise $150 billion a year, with $30 billion annually set-aside for clean energy investments.

It is becoming obvious for countries such as the United States to pursue the benefits of global climate change policy. Firstly, from a domestic perspective, why would the United States allow other countries to pursue the technologies of the future while current technologies become more obsolete, hence losing its future competitiveness. From an international perspective there is going to be increasing pressure in particular from the private sector to move toward low-carbon technologies in order to maintain global competitiveness.

COP-18 needs to deliver a set of outcomes

The UN talks in Doha, Quatar involve more than 190 nations that are working towards adopting a treaty in 2015 that would limit greenhouse gases starting in 2020. The Kyoto Protocol is now going into its second commitment period, whereby 10 to 12 percent of global emissions would be under the regulation of legally binding instruments. All industrial nations, have pledged to make emission reductions by 2020, which combined with the pledges made by 55 developing countries puts 80% of global emissions under a voluntary structure of mitigation.

The first outcome to be delivered by COP-18 is the immediate implementation of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol to start on January 1, 2013. What delegates at the talks are discussing is how this second commitment period is going to be implemented and what the rules are going to be. COP-18 needs to take a broad array of institutional arrangements that have been in the design phase over the past few years and move those into implementation to support the mitigation and adaptation that developing countries are undertaking.

COP-18 needs to clarify how governments are going to organise their work to insure they put themselves in a good stead to adopt the universal agreement in 2015. Furthermore the industrialised countries need to be clear about how are they intend to implement their promise of financial support to developing countries of up to $100 billion by 2020. In order for countries to be on track to fulfill their initial pledges there needs to be transparency around the exact definition of what can count toward fast-start finance.

The European Union, U.S., Japan and other developed nations paid out $23.6 billion of assistance to poorer countries during the three years through 2012, falling short of the $30 billion promised in 2009, the London-based International Institute for Environment and Development stated this week. Envoys in Doha must also ensure aid doesn’t end next year, by doubling pledges to $60 billion through 2015 and finding $15 billion for a new Green Climate Fund that was set up at last year’s round of talks.

The IPCC are looking at options for countries to reach the two-degree target, which is one of the main issues concerned in the Fifth Assessment report. What is clear to delegates at COP-18 is that the more delayed mitigation is; the increasing likelihood emission increases will not become stabalised. 

Do you consider yourself a 'Designer of the Future'?

Think you have what it takes to launch your own ethical fashion brand? Mayamiko is looking to give those with creative flair an opportunity to participate in the ‘Designers of the Future’ Pop-up shop at ‘The Rag Factory’ off Brick Lane.  Another collaborative project bought to you by the Mayamiko Trust, giving those with innovative ideas high exposure to the media and fashionistas looking to invest in covetable designer clobber.

‘Designers of the Future’ the pop up shop, (or rather warehouse), featuring up and coming ethical design, is coming close to you.  Situated in the trendy area of Brick Lane the exhibition is housed in ‘The Rag Factory’ a converted loft space, for housing exhibitions of those working in the creative industries. The venue is perfect for showcasing visual arts as well as creative fashion. Located in close proximity to both Liverpool Street and Aldgate East tube stations. 

Today's younger, more daring designers are leaving behind old-fashioned manufacturing methods in favour of up-cycling, environmentally friendly materials and audacious production methods. Today’s ‘Designers of the Future’ produce objects that speak of the world we're in now, and showcase the possibility of change in the future.

The event gives up and coming designers the opportunity to sell stock, promote their brand and help raise awareness for ethical fashion. Mayamiko works to support creative talents and turn them into sustainable activities. Mayamiko are committed to the promotion of ethical and sustainable design practices, they see this as a perfect opportunity for designers to collaborate and showcase their work. 

Leading designers and thinkers from across the UK and further afield are being brought together to share their points of view, helping Mayamiko to showcase, support and critically engage with ethical design. On this occasion you will be able to see very different perspectives on the future roles of designers, how they are involved in shaping the way in which design, and designers, will perceive their role in the future. The event is a must see if you are interested in this area of fashion, whether purchasing or whether you are simply interested in learning more about sustainable production methods. The experience looks set to be an exciting affair with small food stalls on during the day and fashion parades showcasing the latest trends in ethical fashion.

This truly is an opportunity to change design, and be inspired to design for change.

Information for stallholders

Date: 27th & 28th October 2012

Times: Saturday 11am - 6pm

     Sunday 11am - 6pm

Address: The Rag Factory

          16-18 Heneage St

        London E1 5LJ

Cost: £65 per day or £100 for both days - includes venue hire, table, chair, lighting, and insurance. Mayamiko asks for a 10% commission on sales, which will go to the charity and help us cover costs of promotional material.

        

Designers please express your interest by emailing lauren@mayamiko.com or paola@mayamiko.com.

Are you concerned about more than just whether it will go with your black or washed out skinnies?

When considering the process of conventional shopping we immediately think about neat rows of pristine garments, just waiting to be touched and tried on. Clothes glistening as they hang on mannequins, the feel of something new when you wear if for the first time and the exciting rush of the fitting rooms. What a thrill it is finding that perfect item and finally the shiny packaging!

“Oh look a lovely floral corset dress; the colour combination is lovely indeed. It would be great for dinners too”. As you console yourself with your sensible purchase. The thought of your next outing in a glossy new dress and what it might match in your bursting-to-the-brim wardrobe. Full of garb you don’t remember buying. Sound familiar yet? You already imagine yourself posing in front of the mirror with it playing dress up at home. The smugness you believe you will feel when you see jealous looks on friend’s faces. Surely this delight can’t be that bad, the odd treats you buy to pass your time on a lunch hour. After all you deserve it don’t you? You think to yourself I work so hard and anyway, it doesn’t matter its just another £10.

The fact is today’s shopaholics are in denial.  They operate in an industry that allows individuals to fund their addictions with plastic. Many have a shameful disbelief that they can all act and dress like pop stars. With each covetable item making them even more stylish and classy. Fashion has been allowed to become the superficial fix to patch up people’s deeper personal problems. The worst thing is the industry actually endorses these shallow views that goods are a solution to all of lives problems.

The issue is consumers shopping do not consider the chemically processed man-made fibres itching at their skin. The harshness of the shop lighting, workers sweating away in sweatshops 12 hours a day or the fish floating listlessly in nearby waterways to bring them an acid washed, dip dyed pair of jeans. Even those shoppers who claim to be well educated don’t care; in the 21^st century it’s all about fabricating an image.  Consumers are showing little change in their habits they will quite happily spend on an item only to throw it away carelessly in 3 months time. The problem is shoppers aren’t just buying the odd item now and again; they are buying time after time to perk themselves up from their hectic lives. One in today’s society must have an image.

Sustainable fashion is something that has been shifting on and off the radar for a few years now. The word eco-fashion still gives the average ‘Fashionista’ nightmares, and conjures up images of garish hemp clad hippies. You know the rugged looking tie-dye wearing types. However, for some designers eco-fashion has become more than just a buzzword. With some brands offering simple, collectable and dare I say it stylish pieces, which haven’t been made through the exploitation of human and natural resources. If in doubt google Eva Zingoni who up-cycles excess fabric from Parisian fashion houses, ASOS Africa who employ Kenyan cooperatives, also Fair and True who use organic bamboo from Vietnam.

In a groundbreaking move fashion houses such as Vivienne Westwood, H&M, Marks & Spencers, and WGSN are part of an industry consortium operating under the title of NICE CONSUMER exploring sustainable fashion. Those steering the helm are helping these firms to make decisions whether it is valuable to them to hop on the ecologically friendly bandwagon so to speak. NICE CONSUMER are investigating whether practices endorsed by sustainable firms are really profitable, to appeal to a fresher, more demanding market of eco-warriors. Larger firms are facing pressure from groups of individuals who are not accustomed to the spend-spend-spend ethos of those growing up in the 90’s boom years.  A hybrid consumer is emerging which is not only uncomfortable with current industry practices, but demand durable attire at a reasonable price. There are broad ranges of demographic groups who are becoming more aware of processes such as ‘Up cycling’ as a preferred production method. With potential for organic fabrics and zero-waste design to change the way people think about purchasing their clothes. Yet, not all of these groups can afford to buy the likes of Stella McCartney. Who actually has managed to make vegetarian footwear appealing! What NICE CONSUMER is exploring is whether it is viable to provide a sustainable palette for everyone.

In an attempt to carve a sizeable chunk in a highly specialised niche market NICE CONSUMER are actively looking for dynamic, fiery and passionate individuals to get involved in the consultation process. Critical questions that need to be addressed by the Advisory Group consider issues with respect to both consumers and producers. Potentially explosive questions could inspire a whole new attitude towards the economic cycle that generates fashion. These are the questions we will be considering in the next few days. What is the role of government if any to play in driving behaviour change in the fashion industry? Is there potential for new enterprise to make the process much less wasteful? What policies are workable to encourage sustainable business practices? And how can firms address the buying behaviours of consumers through advertising or incentivise different structures for producers?

If you find this topic fascinating and feel you have something to contribute to these questions participate in the NICE Consumer project’s consultation process. By emailing niceconsumer@bsr.org to join in a webinar. 

Lexus turns hybrid car parts into haute couture.

In an effort to enhance the image of up-cycling Lexus have challenged some of today's most innovative designers to fashion accessories from their new Lexus Hybrid.


The Lexus Hybrid prides itself on being 90% recyclable, a great feat in an industry with a predisposition for being dirty. A gathered team of renowned fashion and accessory designers re-assemble the parts into truly unique pieces of high fashion.The garments and accessories will even appear in a six-page ad campaign for the luxury automaker in the January 2012 issue of Vogue.

Eddie Borgo‘s “Valve Collection” comes from valve lifters, crank bearings, and hose clamps.

Moss Lipow‘s “Environment Crown of Virtue” was constructed from a transmission started and an exhaust manifold gasket.

Organic designer John Patrick‘s “Nomadic Sanctuary” is a full look composed of a trench coat, shorts, and a clutch made from plastic floor mats, sound-dampening insulation, leather seat and cargo covers, and a wire harness.

Alejandro Ingelmo‘s “Luna Shoe” was created with the leather trim of an armrest and clear plastic tubing. 

FRED BUTLER RECYCLES!

London-based designer Fred Butler makes statement props and accessories for the likes of Nicola Formichetti, Patti Wilson and Lucinda Chambers. Full of colour, vibrancy and animation they reflect Butler’s signature style and aesthetic. 

Fred Butler for Chanel.

This Prismatic watch from online retailer ModCloth typifies Fred’s playful relationship with accessories. 

a/w 2011 “Incandescent Meta-morph-incessant” collection pieces, are mixture of colorful geometric shapes and luminescent materials.

A regular guest at the latest events and fashion shows Butler cuts an eye-catching silhouette often dressed in bold accessories and bright hues. 

Butler views imagery as "an extension to her vision" very selective about the imagery she chooses and incorporates colour wherever she sees it; “whether that’s in fashion, art design or music". A platform for exchanging knowledge, “to bring about opportunities for people to find each other and source information that might otherwise be off their radar", Fred Butler prides herself in seeking out original content on her daily travels. 

They may live in Disneyland. But we live in reality.

If you want to change the world you better start with yourself.

They may live in Disneyland. But we live in reality. 

Fill my world for now and not just for tomorrow.

There should be an auto correct button on superfluous spending.

The latest exhibition is entitled Mental States.

Underwear flies from the galleries. This is their response.

What do you study? Life. It's complicated. 

Some girls are all faux fur, no knickers.

"Our aesthetic is colourful, on trend and stylish" Its supposed to be a tree. 

Go forth to every part of the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. 

Burnt out but opulent. 

What regeneration site?

Oh you mean public housing. Now standing to waste. 

© 2011 London Eco Barbie All Rights Reserved

It's black. It's white.

We have to raise the consciousness. The only way artists can change the world is to raise the consciousness of the general populace. - Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Moni Lewandowski is inspired by beautiful things, a master of the ballpoint pen her drawings celebrate the diversity of human spirit. Her sketch forms a lively current, and subtly contrasts with the drawings subjects, with their expression of pain or dullness. We are left pondering about the people in the drawings, intricately formed; they appear to gingerly conceal intimate facets of their character. They are captivating creatures, breathtakingly beautiful yet delicately fragile.  

We think therefore we draw.

"Think of drawing as a hub which can be used to connect other disciplines and as a link between collective memory and our future "- Edgar Koi.

Edgar Koi focuses on common threads running through society, drawing attention to preconceived boundaries in the sociological landscape. Originally influenced by Mexico's foundational art culture he juxtaposes emotive drawings with provocative text, refusing to be bound by peoples expectations, he avoids falling into the usual clichés. 

His new works explore how people conceptualise Death, Memory, Change and Renewal in a contemporary context. The drawings ultimately reflect issues of post-modernist pain, otherwise known as post-modernism existentialism. Where there are no absolutes of any kind and there are no universal truths nor universal criteria for beauty and nor are there universal principles of the GOOD. There is a return of relativism in the sphere of morality, bringing the threat of chaos which relativism spawns.

We are selectors. You are selector.

  

Woke up this morning, to realise, you are the power in your own world with the ability to shape the relations that happen around you.  Simply smile, even if someone near to you is having a bad day. This one action is absolutely infectious.

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Back with vengeance S/S 12.

Licia Florio is a young Italian brand which gets its name from its own designer. Her intention is to create an elegant brand, never excessive and ostentatious. Simple clothes, which emphasize your shape, signifying a product made in Italy.

Licia Florio’s spring 2012 collection features chambray separates with unexpected design lines, like a cross-over closure open back denim jumpsuit.

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