Fashion has been in question when it comes to our planet’s health. However, there are ways to remain fashionable without contributing to global warming and human rights violations. The answer: slow, sustainable, and ethical fashion.
The fashion industry is worth trillions of dollars annually all over the world. This is only projected to grow even more in the following years. In the past five years alone, the industry has grown more than 10% already.
The carbon footprint left by the fashion industry is just as big as the sales they provide. This means that fashion is one of the most significant pollutants in the world. In fact, in 2015 alone, the industry is responsible for 4.8% of the 35.7 billion tons of carbon emissions globally.
These are just carbon emissions. Other data suggests how fashion can cause such a rip in the planet through water usage and solid waste production. Not to mention, other issues concerning forced and child labor also come to play.
Fortunately, more and more fashion brands and organizations globally are putting a stop to that. With sustainable and ethical options becoming widely available in the market, there’s still hope for the fashion industry. To understand what Pampelone is about, let’s take a deeper look into concepts of slow, sustainable, and ethical fashion. Learn more about what you can do as a consumer and how brands can participate in a global movement.
Defining Fashion for Conscious Consumers
There are various movements and ideas, and more and more people have been entertaining to save the planet. After all, the change we wish to see in the world only begins with ourselves. Many brands, stylists, designers, and fashion enthusiasts are starting to take on a different route themselves. We’ve seen bigger brands ban the use of animal fur while others started putting out sustainable fashion lines and packaging. Thrifting has also been very prominent in the past years.
Generally, there are three ways you can help with the global fashion crisis. You can adapt the slow fashion movement into your lifestyle and support sustainable and ethical fashion brands.
What is Slow Fashion?
In essence, slow fashion is — of course — the antithesis of fast fashion. It is a new concept that continues to evolve to this day. In general, this movement is more than just a reaction but a pro-action that engages your choices as consumers and us as brands. It’s more of an approach to fashion than a brand or short-term trend in itself.
In this movement, social cultures revolving around fashion are challenged to focus on sustainability and quality over quantity. That means consumers are encouraged to buy garments with better quality so that they will last long. One example of high-quality material is linen, as seen on several of our pieces, such as the Estee Linen Top, Lena Linen Top and Shorts, and Fae Linen Shirt and Pants. All our sets in timeless cuts and designs are crafted from high-quality linen and are bound to stay valuable and beautiful in your closets for years to come.
Linen is a durable and biodegradable material. It can withstand high temperatures and absorbs moisture quickly. It is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a long-term garment. It has components that make it stronger when wet than dry. If you’re concerned with linen being wrinkly, remember that this fabric becomes more pliable with every wash. In no time, your linen pieces should be just as soft and absorbent as 100% pure cotton.
Consumers must also consider the complete life cycle of the product they purchase, from the gathering of materials to the day it decomposes. For brands, they can choose textiles that uphold the just and fair treatment of all living creatures in this world.
Slow fashion is only one branch of the slow movement. It’s a part of a holistic lifestyle consumers have been pushing in the past years. The campaign aims to unite your ethics with your aesthetic. While trends are not a priority with slow fashion, they must also remain balance. To reach this, garments, textiles, and accessories must be as timeless as they’re diverse.
What is Ethical Fashion?
Ethical implications in fashion are also part of the slow fashion movement. With that, human and animal rights must always be respected. Remember to choose a brand that only employs workers fairly and legally. An excellent working condition is a must alongside fair wages, just treatment, and of course, the absence of child and forced labor.
Ethical fashion must also keep in mind the welfare of animals. Does the brand use materials that could harm the existence of certain living entities? Testing on animals is also a massive violation of ethical fashion. If you aim to promote a slow and ethical fashion, consumers must help break the cycle of using harmful dyes on animals and utilizing animal fur.
What is Sustainable Fashion?
Also often referred to as eco-fashion, sustainable fashion often refers to the positive environmental impact left by brands and their consumers. There are many ways to discern sustainable choices from not.
Organic, recycled, or repurposed materials greatly help as this dictates the very beginning of a garment’s life cycle. Materials like rayon and viscose are just a couple of materials you must consider.
Rayon is a vegan material that is highly versatile. It can be crafted into various garments like our Manon Dress or Edith Pants. Multiple iterations of this material can be seen, such as rayon voile and rayon fujette. Viscose, on the other hand, is a sustainable alternative to cotton or polyester. It’s also has a light and silky feel to it, as seen on the Vintage Wide Leg Pant. You can also opt for a combination of materials such as Rayon and Linen. The Naturale Pants are made from these materials. Both materials are sustainable options. Moreover, rayon lessens the wrinkly effect you get from linens.
There should also be a limit to the harmful chemicals used in textiles. If possible, there shouldn’t be any. Minimizing energy and water usage during production are also great ways to promote sustainability. The less water and energy consumed during the manufacturing phase, the less waste they produce.
Fashion-Forward Sustainability
You don’t have to sacrifice your style to be an advocate of slow fashion. With the sustainable, durable, versatile, and ethically sourced and manufactured pieces from our catalog, we’re here to help you take your first step towards a sustainable and fashionable future.