BEYOND THE BUY
Beyond the Buy focuses on slow fashion and mindful consumerism, challenging fast fashion by promoting sustainability and ethical choices.
Students explored how social media and "romantic consumerism" influence buying habits while building skills in styling, content creation, photography, and branding.
Using their own wardrobe, they created a series of fashion reels that highlight slow fashion principles, making social media-ready content and showing how style and sustainability can work together for a better future.
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Romantic Consumerism: Understanding how emotions, social media, and influencers shape our fashion-buying habits.
Fast vs. Slow Fashion: A deep dive into the environmental and ethical impact of fast fashion versus the sustainable approach of slow fashion.
Mindful Consumption: Exploring how conscious consumer choices can counteract overconsumption and promote sustainability.
Fashion Communication Ethics: Analysing the responsibility of promoting fashion in ways that prioritise long-term value and environmental care.
The Power of Influence: Investigating how influencers and trend cycles impact personal and societal fashion behaviour.
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Fashion Styling: Curating and assembling outfits with an emphasis on reusing items already owned.
Content Creation: Developing creative content aligned with slow fashion messaging.
Photography & Videography: Capturing visual stories using smartphones or cameras for social media content.
Social Media Branding: Crafting a personal brand and unique tone of voice tailored for ethical and sustainable fashion promotion.
Critical Thinking & Self-Reflection: Engaging in thoughtful analysis and personal reflection on fashion choices and their broader implications.
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Jennifer Barrett (Founder, TICE): Jen is the Founder and Managing Director of TICE, with 20+ years experience in the fashion industry. She’s also an Assistant Professor in Fashion Communication at Northumbria University.
Jenna Cole (Artist): Jenna is a freelance musician from North Tyneside, working across songwriting, production, and vocal performance.
Lana Skye Caven (Influencer & Content Creator): Lana is a fashion and lifestyle influencer with a standout online presence, known for her carefully curated content and impressive following.
“i loved this project because i felt it allowed me to express my own opinions and show my style.”
— Student, Durham School
outcomes
Student, Tanfield School
“It was an exciting and hands-on experience that allowed me to get creative and bring my vision to life. Styling the outfits was not only a fun way to express my personal style but also helped me better understand how fashion can be communicated visually. The process of putting together the looks and capturing them for the reels felt rewarding, as it gave me a chance to experiment with different trends and aesthetics while connecting with the content on a more personal level.”
Student, Tanfield School
“The psychological aspects of emotional spending and how it influences consumer behaviour intrigue me. I’m also deeply interested in exploring how fast fashion contributes to environmental and social issues, and how we can make more sustainable choices in our buying habits. This project allows me to combine these passions and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding the fashion industry.”
credits
schools
Durham School
Tanfield School
TICE Stars
Lotte Stewart
Dana Simpson
Kindness Ohayagha
industry
Jennifer Barrett
Jenna Cole
Meg Savage
Lana Skye Caven
Northumbria University