Underneath the Fabric

Currently, the world is coming together by staying apart. It feels extremely unnatural as we are social beings, right? We're used to changing scenes and outfits, going places and buying things. Staying in one place can make us feel stagnant and confused; so we do what we can to keep us feeling 'normal', such as zooming friends, trying out recipes, and of course, shopping. As someone who grasps the depth of the fashion industry and how difficult it can be to communicate it to consumers, I've definitely done my research. Through it, I have learned to break down the most important purchasing tips for the rest of your consumer life! So pay attention. 1. Know the fibre content What is in your clothes impacts the environment, the people who make your clothes, and yourself as the wearer. If nothing else, this should be the defining factor for whether you say 'yay' or 'nay' to the item. Fibres can be: · natural: Derived from either pl

The usual bustling has slowed and the Earth is beginning to breathe again. Many things have come to light that otherwise wouldn't have. I believe individuals care about one-another, more than we are lead to believe in the media. We want good things for each other. This virus has proven it - roughly half of the world's population is in a lock-down of some kind; we are coming together by staying apart. We are being asked to save others by isolating ourselves, and nothing feels less human. We need human contact to feel appreciated, to generate personal growth. The more I speak to friends and family, the more I realise we all innately desire the same thing: connection. However, the systems that we feed into create the opposite. The policies we abide by on the daily cause inequity, disconnection, harm, fear... So, perhaps we must stop abiding by them? We're beginning to notice that there is no 'normal' if that is to be living in total excess and greed. As we

Because "sustainable fashion" no longer means "boring"! To those of you wondering where to buy yourself the new shirt of your dreams, yet only willing to do so without harming the Earth or other fellow humans. Here are some key points to note: Transparency - Sustainability has been a buzzword for a while now. It's cool to care for the planet. So some brands will be jumping on the craze simply to drive profits without being genuine as a company (this is called greenwashing ). The brand must be fair to its workers and make an effort to reduce their impact on the planet. There should be info on that in the brand's "About Us" section. Price -  I know, I know, "sustainable fashion is expensive" . No it's not, simply a majority of consumers nowadays are used to buying a top with the same price tag as a takeaway coffee. Given the brand is genuine in it's transparency, it's worth the investment. The fork-out will make more s

In search of becoming the best version of ourselves and preserving the planet that hosts all life as we know it, I’ve written some key tips for purchasing any clothing items. Buying more sustainably is important due to many reasons (please give my other posts a read to better understand the topic). There is no black or white way to view conscious purchases, as there are so many variables afecting our choices. Briefly, sustainable fashion is an umbrella term covering more ethical or eco-friendly production of an item. Upcycling old or buying second hand are also more sustainable options. Fast-fashion, on the other hand, is mostly found on the high street or online; easily accessible and easily disposable. It moves quickly from the catwalk to stores. Pretty Little Thing, Boohoo, Missguided, Primark, H&M, Topshop, Office, Urban Outfitters… to name a few! It's attractive, on trend and cheap. What we see as consumers is actually the end product of a long cycle of produc

I feel bombarded at the moment, and even slightly overwhelmed, with the amount of climate change activism happening in this last week and inevitably in the one to come. I can't help but say that I hope that you are too, because that'll mean you're  aware of the 'sixth mass extinction'* and climate change awareness popping up all over social media. *we are not killing the planet so much as the abiotic conditions on it which host us, the human race!  Don't get me wrong, I am all for it!  But I see a lot of people turn away in disbelief, denial, or inability to concentrate on the topic long enough to entertain a conversation. Those that understand the massive problem on our doorstep will usually make a stand and a statement, but we really, desperately , need to take this further. With Extinction Rebellion occupying major spots of London, the protesters  are doing what they can with what they have, in the capitalist society of today, to make a drastic change.

A final garments photoshoot? Tick fo' dat. ✔ (pics by @isobelcolnaghiphotos for @thatgexboy's mag!) As a second-year fashion design student, I constantly strive to incorporate sustainability  in my work. The fashion world hasn’t always been one that's excited me, it is my desire to make a change for the better, through more ethical and eco design approaches to this oh-so-polluting industry. As there are so many ways in which one can do this, I have gotten to know myself as a designer in exploring this within my uni briefs. Whether that be through the durability of the end piece or up-cycling  from waste, to natural dyeing and zero waste pattern cutting. I like to be creative with my silhouettes, exploring garments that either flatter or stand away from the body. The creative process for my white shirt was using an up cycled white sheet and laser cutting the wooden buttons. It was inspired by kintsugi, the Japanese art form of us