Have you heard about slow fashion?
Times keep changing and the world keeps evolving, and so does the fashion world. When it comes to slow fashion or sustainable fashion, it isn’t just a trend, but a life philosophy. Its creator, Kate Fletcher, has been trying to raise awareness since 2013. It’s a movement that seeks to raise awareness around the world and create a positive impact on the environment. In other words, it wants to get rid of the “hyper consumption” society. As you already know, it’s a philosophy centered around the responsible consumption of clothing. Its goal is to teach how irresponsible consumption can be harmful to the environment.
This movement also fights against the accumulation of garments in our closets and gives us the option of timeless options. This is because consumers are increasingly concerned about where apparel comes from and are becoming more aware of factories, materials, and organic.
What is slow fashion and why is it so popular?
Within its purpose it seeks to oppose fashion produced in large quantities, in addition to finding artisan and organic products to support micro-businesses, they defend fair and local trade.
In turn, they encourage second-hand purchases of recycled clothing and the donation of what you do not use. When it comes to choose, it prefers clothing made from sustainable and ethical materials.
It is popular for showing ways to incorporate into all our closets the classic garments that last longer that we manage ourselves.
This leads us to learn how to repair them, personalize them so they will last longer and create awareness for compulsive purchases.
How to join slow fashion?
To adapt to this lifestyle and new philosophy, the first thing you have to keep in mind is that you are going to create awareness, that is, if you want to be part of the change in the world, opt for ecological brands.
Second, make sure that the things you buy respect the rights of their employees and producers with their wages and working conditions. At the same time, begin to buy quality and timeless garments. This way, you will avoid disposing of garments annually.
You can also join the upcycling trend and renew, repair, and reuse your garments. You can also sell them in thrift stores to give them a new life. Remember that artisanal is the best! Of course, we must forget about compulsive purchases and buy based on functionality and durability.
What is sustainability in fashion?
The dictionary defines sustainability as something that prevails over time, without depleting resources. Now, if we take it to the world of fashion, the definition of sustainable fashion is all garments made without compromising resources.
As a result, it must have the fundamental principle to respect the environment and those involved in the process. Miranda Presley must be quite shocked!
It sounds like a dream, but the truth is that it’s quite influenced by variables that complicate it too much.
Why? Because they have always made us see that fashion is something ephemeral and fleeting, programmed and obsolete. So, this is where we can define fashion as part of a social construct that has instilled in us that just as one day you can be in trend, the next you won’t be.
The portal, slowers-shoes, compiled some interesting data that shows why we should choose sustainable fashion.
The fashion carbon print
First, the fashion industry contributes 10% of the global carbon footprint. This is a rather alarming figure because if this doesn’t change by the year 2050, it will be responsible for at least a quarter of the world’s carbon emissions.
Considering that clothing releases millions of tons of microfibers into the ocean each year, they are the equivalent of… And read closely… 50 billion plastic bottles! Holy mozzarella! Yes, you read that right, billions, not millions.
As a result, the textile sector is the second-largest polluter of fresh water in the world. In turn, around 22% of the environmental impact is represented by transport. Did you know that we only wear a garment 95 times before not wearing it anymore?
Are you already considering it as an option? I do!
And it’s worth saying that 87% of the fibers used to manufacture 100,000 million garments, end up in landfills or incinerated. Polyester garments release up to one million plastic microfibers for each wash. This without counting the chemical substances that 85% of the industry is still far from eliminating.
A life choice
If you’re still unsure about joining this movement, we promise you won’t regret joining it.
After all, it’s a very real way to approach fashion while reducing the negative impact on the environment and promoting the transparency of production processes.
You can have a collection of Slow-Fashion garments made by hand with durable materials over time.
In this movement, we say no to animal abuse and labor exploitation.
What brands are slow-fashion?
In the world, we can find many fashions brands part of this movement. All you have to do is a Google search to find those closest to you. However, here are some of the most important.
Stella McCartney:
Founded in 2001, most people consider her as one of the pioneers of ecological fashion.
In her designs, she offers sustainable alternatives for its organic cotton materials, ethically sourced wool, and recycled textiles.
She also collaborates with NGOs and environmental organizations.
At the same time, she bases her strategy on four pillars: respect for nature, respect for people, respect for animals, and circular solutions.
Veja (look, in Portuguese):
Since 2005 they create tennis with ecological and ethical materials. From Brazil, these two Frenchmen seek to rethink the creation of a popular product.
For this, they use materials like wild rubber, bought from collectors in the Amazon. This is how they fight against deforestation.
They also use recycled plastic bottles and organic cotton. A fun fact is that for a pair of shoes they only need three plastic bottles. Then they send them to a factory where they are crushed into flakes and turned into fiber.
Rag & Bone:
This American-English luxury brand has been passionate about redefining urban style, sustainability, and local production since 2002. In 2007, they partnered with Cotton Incorporated’s Blue Jeans Go Green and launched a recycling program that encouraged customers to donate old jeans and in return receive a 20% discount on jeans, valid only for the day of donation.
Patagonia:
Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, in Ventura, California.
Most people know it for being a brand for outdoors and adventure that leads the care of the planet.
Its mission is to build the best product, not cause unnecessary harm, and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis. Patagonia uses recycled plastic and 100% organic cotton.
It also donates 1% of its profits to small associations that fight to preserve the conditions of the soil, water, and air.
It’s amazing how many things we can build where others are destroying. Here at Fashion Trends, we always seek to support these important causes over time. Tell us your opinion! We can’t wait to hear it. What do you think of this trend? Do you like the idea of making a difference in the world? Tell us here and on our social media what you think and what you can do to be more aware.