Katja Simončič

Place-making, consumerism and social harm: literature review and observation

This research links the concept of placemaking to the notions of consumerism and social harm. Numerous activities that are, in contemporary society, considered normal by the public, and even encouraged by the state, have extremely harmful consequences. One example is the fast fashion phenomenon, i.e., the production of “fashionable” clothing on a massive scale with short production and distribution times. Fast fashion has invaded the public space through endless shops and commercials while consuming, and encouraging people to consume, have become the central activities that take place within it. There is a need to reclaim the public space for other, more useful and fulfilling activities, to transform it from a “marketplace” to an open platform and open up the possibilities for a transformation of individuals from consumers to engaged citizens. With that goal in mind, the study intends to explore people's attitudes towards social harm, fast fashion and ethical fashion.