We bought a thing at a sale, put it on a couple of times and put it off ... It's not that color, it is running out somewhere, not very comfortable. How many of these things do each of us have? And how many things that have gone out of fashion, but continue to hang in the closet or go to landfill? And there they rot, do not decompose for years, poison the environment. On a single family scale, excess clothing is not perceived as critical. But on a global scale - this is a disaster!
Actual for everyone!
Reference! According to studies, in one minute, Hong Kong residents throw out about one and a half thousand annoying T-shirts.
Let's count: with an average weight of a T-shirt of 100 g it is almost 150 kg. About 9 tons are produced per hour . All these mountains of textiles emit carbon dioxide. Impressive?
That is why at the beginning of our century the Slow fashion movement or “slow fashion” appeared .
Reference! The movement calls for abandoning purchases in chain stores. And thereby stop sponsoring bad ecology and garment factories with inhuman working conditions.
In the short time that has passed since the inception of the movement, many famous fashion houses and famous people joined it.
Reference! Brands Hermes, Dior, designer Stella Gene make their collections from handmade fabrics.
Why is fashion slow?
If you think about it, the slow fashion has been almost the entire history of mankind . Want the facts? You are welcome!
- Wedding dress passed from generation to generation.
- An elegant suit was taken out of the chest only on major holidays.
- The fur coat was worn for at least ten years.
Only in the last few decades has everything changed. The consumption boom began, the thing becomes irrelevant during the season, almost everyone in the wardrobe has a lot of “casual” clothes .
Important! Thoughtless consumption, the pursuit of quantity - it is irrational and environmentally unsafe! The founder of the Slow fashion movement, fashion consultant Kate Fletcher, insists on this.
Adherents of the trend believe that the endless change of trends in fashion does not lead to anything good . The point is not so much in the quick change of things in the wardrobe, but in relation to the work of clothing manufacturers . It is usually heavy and very low paid.
In addition, corporations in the pursuit of profit do not pay attention to security . This applies not only to employees, but also to materials.
Important! To make the fashion industry civilized and work well paid is the goal of the movement’s activists.
Yes, this will lead to higher prices for things, but at the same time they will become more appreciated. As soon as clothing is again regarded as a value, the approach to its acquisition will immediately change . It is not the momentary following of fashion that comes to the fore, but the durability of materials, their quality, and the possibility of alteration .
In other words, the fashion wheel will slow down, many things will become “timeless, trendless . ” The jacket does not have to be thrown away just because the cuffs are worn out, and the blouse because it is not in trend.
Important! Slow fashion will return to our life an interest in individual tailoring in the atelier.
And the atelier had previously offered clothing restoration services.
Slow Fashion Principles
Let’s take a closer look at the basics of movement.
First principles
At the dawn of the movement of principles was not enough.
- Followers called for a boycott of mass-produced clothing.
- Another of the first appeals: to give preference to manual work .
Current principles
Over the decade of the existence of Slow fashion, the principles have changed.
- Clothing should be environmentally friendly, that is, made from natural fabrics.
- The issue of acquisition should be approached thoughtfully, giving preference to quality and classic performance.
- Clothing must be restored, remodeled, recycled . For example, threads can be used repeatedly: knit a new product from loose old clothes.
- The best way out is to master independent production . If this is not possible, then buy from local small producers.
- All that has become small or large, sacrifice to the needy.
- Purchase vintage items or find them in your grandmother’s wardrobe.
Following these principles will necessarily lead to more rare purchases. So things will cease to be "disposable . "
And the thesis “ quality is more important than quantity ” will lead to systemic changes in the clothing industry. This approach will force the business industry to move towards openness and honesty in matters of production:
- do not abuse synthetic materials;
- do not use toxic dyes;
- provide social guarantees to workers.
At first it was hard to believe that brand owners would be loyal to such ideas and would like to give up at least a fraction of the profit. But, surprisingly, it was the giants of the mass market who were the first to make investments in companies using old technologies .
Reasons for the popularity of slow fashion
It is believed that in recent years, a certain reappraisal has occurred in the mass consciousness.
Caring for the environment
We began to think more often about the environment, in any case, about our impact on it. A vivid example is the increased popularity of handmade, the desire to give a second life to old things, separate collection of garbage.
The desire to be individual
Other motives that encourage people to pay close attention to “slow fashion” are associated with personality.
The mass market leads to the fact that at one public transport stop you can meet several people in the same clothes.
When sewing things for a specific person, this is unlikely to happen. Individual tailoring is always the only, unique thing.
Important! An indisputable plus of the indoshiva: a professional tailor must take into account the peculiarities of the client’s figure, customize patterns for them.
And by making changes to the cut, he achieves that the thing hides flaws and emphasizes advantages .
But everything has a flip side, it is also in the custom firmware: it is impossible to predict the result. Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes.
Buying ready-made things also has advantages: defects are visible in the first fitting. Not suitable - not bought! If bought, then throw not a pity: the price is low.
And spoiled expensive fabric is a serious damage to the wallet. However, if you set a goal and make calculations, then a conscious approach to the acquisition helps to save significantly .
A good coat will last several seasons, and the shoes will not fall apart on the third day. This means that additional funds will not be needed to frequently replace wardrobe items.
It’s quite reasonable to buy quality things: they are most often called “loved ones”. Still wearing a skirt five years ago? Feel free to consider yourself an adherent of Slow fashion!
