"Be the change you wish to see in you wardrobe"
The cheap prices and fast moving trends are addicting, but their are major consequences of our fast-fashion addiction. The price of clothing has been decreasing for decades, while the human and environmental costs have grown dramatically.
I love the documentary "The True Cost", which "pulls back the curtain" on clothes we wear, the people who make them, and the impact the industry is having on our world. It has completely changed my outlook on the fashion industry as well as how I will purchase.
Quick Facts:
-97% of all clothing is made overseas. There are roughly 40 million garment workers (85% are women) in the world today, many of which do not share the same rights or protections that many people in the West do. Their rights are violated as they are exploited for cheap labor. They are among the lowest paid employees in the world.
-Cotton makes up nearly 50% of fiber used to make our clothing. Cotton is now responsible for 18% of worldwide pesticide use and 25% of total insecticide use, both of which have heavy impacts on both environmental and human health. Leather is also costing our environment. The amount of feed, land, water and fossil fuels used to raise livestock for leather production come at a huge cost to the health of our planet.
We should all try to make more responsible choices in our daily lives, especially when it comes to our purchases, the products we are using and the clothing we are wearing. When we make purchases, we should check to see if the brand or company is sustainable or socially and environmentally conscious.
I think that it's a common misconception that conscious clothing is either much pricier or just flat not fashion-forward. But, in fact, a lot of great brands have taken up responsible business practices. Bottom line: you can shop without comproming the quality of style, OR the environment, living or working conditions of those who are making it.
EDUN
Their mission to build sustainable growth opportunities in Africa, where the line sources production and encourages trade.
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REFORMATION
Their slogan is "we make killer clothes that don't kill the environment". They put sustainability at the core of everything they do, using eco-technologies, green infrastructure, and tracking their environmental footprint.
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Uses plant and food based ingredients that are animal friendly and not harmful to the environment
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URBAN RENEWAL
Handcrafted and reworked clothing using vintage items, surplus or deadstock fabrics.
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MARC JACOBS
Is committed to giving back to communities, working with over 60 charities.
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STELLA McCARTNEY
is an animal rights activist who runs a vegetarian company that is committed to be honest, responsible and sustainable.
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H&M CONSCIOUS
promises to be good for people, the planet, and your wallet, and is built on seven sustainability and ethics-related commitments.
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ASOS GREEN ROOM
Has an edit of eco-friendly everything, from vintage to handmade jewelry to vintage gems.
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LEVIS
Over the years, the company has made positive strides toward minimizing its environmental impact by using less water, better cotton, and committing to sustainable factory practices, to name a few.