Day 2 as an intern at the WAWWD office (NOT said in a Big Brother voice over accent) has thus far involved completing several assignments for the WAWWD peeps; yesterday they were arguing over whose assignment would be the most fun!
The first task for the day was to view the ‘I’m NOT a plastic bag’ display at The Design Museum by London Bridge. I took the tube there (Action 06: Take public transport when you can) and met Ella (completing Action 05: Smile and smile back). Together we walked (Action 11: Get fitter, feel better) to the stylish museum building at Shad Thames. Wowee, I completed three WAWWD actions before 9.45am! Hopefully this trend will continue.
Our famous bag is featured as part of the ‘Super Contemporary’ exhibition (http://www.designmuseum.org/exhibitions/2009/supercontemporary) on the development of design in London from 1960 to the present as a collaboration with Beefeater 24. The bag is featured in the 2007 section of the artistic and informative timeline skirting the walls of the large first floor exhibition room. It is truly great to see the WAWWD and Anya Hindmarch bag celebrated as part of the creative works born of London-based organisations. As a recently graduated Geography student, I particularly enjoyed the way that the items or events described were accompanied with a map depicting their geographical origin in London.
The bag’s plaque describes how it was thought up within the WAWWD ranks in 2006, produced as a collaboration with the international fashion designer Anya Hindmarch, and subsequently sold in Sainsbury’s and on the Anya Hindmarch website in 2007 for £5 each. It then describes the ‘hype’ surrounding the bag, which became a much desired item in the fashion world. As a limited edition, it was criticised for masking its original purpose (replacing plastic bags) with fashion kudos, yet simultaneously praised for spreading an important environmental message in a fun and non-threatening way, especially to groups of people who previously may not have been interested in such issues.
Having completed my last dissertation, entitled ‘Environmentalism in fashion: crusaders of the anti-plastic bag’, I am an avid follower of the continuing craze for these canvas totes. Although the ‘I’m NOT a plastic bag’ is no longer available, WAWWD has now produced a 100% organic ‘Plastic ain’t my bag’ tote, which is available from the WAWWD website in a range of colours for £5: http://www.wearewhatwedo.org/products/
It is fantastic that not using plastic bags has developed such eco-chic status, but we must remember to take these bags when we go grocery shopping for them to be effective!
Stay tuned for more updates on current happenings at the exciting WAWWD office…
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