Some slow thoughts on fast fashion
None of this blog will be perfect. These are just my opinions.
I'm not studying journalism and my English writing skills are questionable.
Also I am a little scatter-brained.
Pizza.
However, I have a desire to make a change in the industry for which I have so much passion. One which, without the potential for change, I wouldn't want to be a part of. And it is specifically for this reason that I am striving to be a part of it.
To do this, I realise that I need to document my thoughts, ideas and progress - share them with the world (to make it pink and fuzzy and friendly and nice).
Fashion is an umbrella term. We usually only see the surface: the trends that come and go, the sales in the stores, the desire to buy more and more... Fashion has lost its meaning, becoming frivolous to most.
What a poet.
I don't know at what point in my life I decided that the garments I designed and wore would be 'sustainable', I just knew it felt right. The more I looked into and learned about the industry, the more I was put off by the idea of condoning the mass production and environmental destructiveness of it. I realised that it's a lot bigger than I'd initially thought, as "fashion" spans the trades of agriculture (fibres come from seeds), production (a BIG one: from processing raw materials, to spinning yarns, to making fabric, to final garment assembly), business (marketing, advertising, merchandising), transport (importing and exporting the goods)... And this is only to mention a few, off the top of my head.
This whole process is one that has sped up over the years, in order to meet demand. Yet it has gotten to the point where supply surpasses it - and creates literal tonnes (shit tonnes!) of landfill (some of which are garments which aren't worn once before they're disposed). Either way, I jumped in, by adopting the way of life I believe consumerists should undertake; and it's really simple. To buy less and do so smartly is more a behaviour than a trend. I realise that for people to understand this, awareness needs to happen - I need to talk about it. Fast fashion is commercialised madness. We need to slow fashion the hell down. Fast.
To A, B, C this:
The system is the one which delivers a cheap knock off version of the Balmain skirt that you saw at Fashion Week the other day. It is designed, produced*, packaged and mailed to your door within a month. This 'fast fashion' method worsens consumerism by creating excessive demand, and equally dehumanises the process of clothes making, as consumers do not question who made their clothes or where they've come from.
*The word 'production' bothers me, as it equally degrades the reality of the fact that living, breathing human beings slave away to sew garment after garment (usually held under intense pressure and in extremely inadequate conditions) in exchange for pennies.
Good news!
You, the consumer, are the change. You have the choice as to where your money goes - whether it feeds the giant corp that is Primark* (and come out with bags full of disposable clothing) or the city's independent eco boutique (and buy a handful of items that will be durable and good quality). It is an investment. Your power in another's hands, and it makes a difference as to who's you pick.
*Also H&M, Top shop, Zara... Yep! all those big names? - they encourage this.
As the consumer, look into the brands you purchase from. Are they ethical? (i.e. pay the workers a fair wage), do they invest into more eco fibres? (e.g. bamboo, hemp), do they strive to make a difference by using renewable energy sources for production? These are questions you should be asking yourself. Along with whatever else you hold close to your heart and morally think is right.
We are promoting human slavery and the Earth's destruction by purchasing that Boohoo party dress. (As far as these concepts might seem from each other).
Ask questions.
Pick wisely.
Stay woke.
Speak soon,
Cath x
I'm not studying journalism and my English writing skills are questionable.
Also I am a little scatter-brained.
Pizza.
However, I have a desire to make a change in the industry for which I have so much passion. One which, without the potential for change, I wouldn't want to be a part of. And it is specifically for this reason that I am striving to be a part of it.
To do this, I realise that I need to document my thoughts, ideas and progress - share them with the world (to make it pink and fuzzy and friendly and nice).
Fashion is an umbrella term. We usually only see the surface: the trends that come and go, the sales in the stores, the desire to buy more and more... Fashion has lost its meaning, becoming frivolous to most.
What a poet.
I don't know at what point in my life I decided that the garments I designed and wore would be 'sustainable', I just knew it felt right. The more I looked into and learned about the industry, the more I was put off by the idea of condoning the mass production and environmental destructiveness of it. I realised that it's a lot bigger than I'd initially thought, as "fashion" spans the trades of agriculture (fibres come from seeds), production (a BIG one: from processing raw materials, to spinning yarns, to making fabric, to final garment assembly), business (marketing, advertising, merchandising), transport (importing and exporting the goods)... And this is only to mention a few, off the top of my head.
This whole process is one that has sped up over the years, in order to meet demand. Yet it has gotten to the point where supply surpasses it - and creates literal tonnes (shit tonnes!) of landfill (some of which are garments which aren't worn once before they're disposed). Either way, I jumped in, by adopting the way of life I believe consumerists should undertake; and it's really simple. To buy less and do so smartly is more a behaviour than a trend. I realise that for people to understand this, awareness needs to happen - I need to talk about it. Fast fashion is commercialised madness. We need to slow fashion the hell down. Fast.
To A, B, C this:
The system is the one which delivers a cheap knock off version of the Balmain skirt that you saw at Fashion Week the other day. It is designed, produced*, packaged and mailed to your door within a month. This 'fast fashion' method worsens consumerism by creating excessive demand, and equally dehumanises the process of clothes making, as consumers do not question who made their clothes or where they've come from.
*The word 'production' bothers me, as it equally degrades the reality of the fact that living, breathing human beings slave away to sew garment after garment (usually held under intense pressure and in extremely inadequate conditions) in exchange for pennies.
Good news!
You, the consumer, are the change. You have the choice as to where your money goes - whether it feeds the giant corp that is Primark* (and come out with bags full of disposable clothing) or the city's independent eco boutique (and buy a handful of items that will be durable and good quality). It is an investment. Your power in another's hands, and it makes a difference as to who's you pick.
*Also H&M, Top shop, Zara... Yep! all those big names? - they encourage this.
As the consumer, look into the brands you purchase from. Are they ethical? (i.e. pay the workers a fair wage), do they invest into more eco fibres? (e.g. bamboo, hemp), do they strive to make a difference by using renewable energy sources for production? These are questions you should be asking yourself. Along with whatever else you hold close to your heart and morally think is right.
We are promoting human slavery and the Earth's destruction by purchasing that Boohoo party dress. (As far as these concepts might seem from each other).
Ask questions.
Pick wisely.
Stay woke.
Speak soon,
Cath x
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