Week 4 - Angela Oh

Social entrepreneurship contributes to a nation's development in how it applies unique approaches to pressing economic and social issues. To be successful, the social entrepreneur seeks to improve society by coming up with practical and sustainable ways to benefit society. These ideas are often influenced by other entrepreneurs and their approaches around the world.

Kensuke Ishizu, for example, founded the Van Jacket company of Japan as a practical and innovative approach to Japanese youth fashion. Understanding that his (older) generation preferred tailor-made clothing, Ishizu focused on the younger generations who were "not yet accustomed to thinking about fashion" (Fernandez, 1). He was heavily inspired by the preppy style of American Ivy League students and created an "Ivy model" suit which became the dominant aesthetic of Japanese youth. He had solved an issue he had felt about Japanese youth and how they lacked their own basic style. The Van Jacket brand has gone on to inspire other people who are compelled to create fashion such as Japanese companies like Uniqlo. Ishizu and his company's success created a unique approach to fashion that continues to be built upon by other emerging fashion companies, not only in Japan but around the world.

Question:
What are some drawbacks resulting from social entrepreneurship endeavors like Uniqlo's fast fashion, especially when considering how the clothing industry is the second largest polluter in the world?

Sources: 

• Fernandez, Chantal. "How American Style Fueled Postwar Youth Fashion in Japan". Fashionista, December 2, 2015.
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