Slow Fashion Revolution
welcome to the slow fashion revolution
Be curious. Find out. Do Something
In June 2019, I took part in an online course called ‘Fashion’s Future: The Sustainable Development Goals’ by Future Learn a free online course, discovered though the Fashion Revolution website. It’s a brilliant course, not just for learning, but for resources too, and great for connecting with others in the community, who care about the fashion industry and its responsibilities. This course was focused around the SDG’s (Susutainable Development Goals which consist of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly, to be achieved by 2030. See the table graphic below to find out what each goal represents.
“Each SDG has different targets, and target 8 of SDG 12 addresses the consumers right to be informed, in order to become better aware of sustainable development issues”
Carey Somers
In the 1980’s the UN established the Commission on Environment & Development, to create a global agenda for change to address major worldwide social and environmental challenges. A report outlining three fundamental components to sustainable development in a paper called ‘Our Common Future’ recognised the three were intrinsically linked:
1) Environmental Protection
2) Economic Growth
3) Social Equality
During the years to follow significant work was still needed and so the SDG’s were laid out in 2012.
Find the UN’s Be The Change Take The Challenge Toolkit here
6 clean water and sanitation
By reselling existing clothing, less water resources are used in the production of new clothing, especially concerning materials such as denim where gallons of water is used and where dye pollutes rivers and streams.
8 & 10 decent work and economic growth - reduced inequalities
If more people supported those small start-ups who are working towards these SDG’s we could create a business which in turn would enable growth, thereby creating more opportunity for others to work with us as we could then start to employ others. For now we continue to champion those in our communities who may have been marginalised or find themselves at the mercy of government policy, or due to disability, race or gender inequality.
12 & 13 responsible consumption and production - climate action
Being exclusive to the UK was a difficult decision and narrows our reach, but it means that our carbon footprint is lowered due to reducing our impact via aviation and shipping, where we would need to utilise overseas transport to sell our goods. We also try to source all of our packaging from the UK wherever possible and keep this as earth friendly as we can with what’s available. The same method is utilised for producing anything new we make which is limited to less than 10% of what we sell. We also promote responsible consumption, asking Thrift Lovers to consider their purchases carefully, to buy less and to partake in mindful consumption.
16 - peace justice and strong institutions
ThriftVIP does it’s best to highlight disaparities and promote those affected by this by writing about, sharing information and promoting relevant current topics through articles and across social media, and our newsletters; sometimes even via our product listings.
Another way we do this is by way of sending out a postcard with every order so our customers can ask brands the questions they want, to show them we’re aware and that we care about their practices concerning people and planet, all for the price of a stamp. Perhaps they bought a particular brand that they like, such as a pre-loved designer handbag or a quality high street brand. Now is their chance to carry this through, from purchasing their brand second hand, to asking them what they’re doing to contribute to the SDG’s. This was created by utilising Fashion Revolution’s hashtag #WhoMadeMyClothes
We understand how important it is to stand up to blatant injustices and to support those who are less fortunate, including those who often go unnoticed and fall under the radar.
Overall, clothing consumption is projected to more than double by 2030. Currently 80% of all clothing produced is incinerated or ends up in landfill
This year Fashion Revolution Week takes place
19 - 25th April 2021
The hashtag for 2021 is #WhoMadeMyFabric
send a postcard
See our Sustainability page for more about the postcard you’ll receive with your order, making it easier for you to ask: Who Made My Clothes?
denim
With denim set to continue in its popularity as a style and trend statement, we need to be aware of its impact.
Thankfully the 2021 trend points towards darker denim which is advised if you’re buying new as opposed to distressed denim which goes through processes that has a further environmental impact.
Some of my takeaways from this panel discussion 2020 - see the video below:
Being one of the biggest pollutants to the fashion industry, denim can take up to 1000 litres of water (equivalent to one person in 13 years). Just take that in. And it’s not just the fact that water is ‘wasted’ (most water is in fact all recycled), it’s that it’s contaminated due to dyes, micro plastics and more. Being one of the most long lasting (supposedly, depending on quality) and durable fabrics, denim is one of the best items to buy second hand. Fit and style, however seems to be a barrier to this which is why new companies refashioning denim to fit and ‘grow’ with the wearer are on the rise.
Unsold stock…20% on average
What can you do? Go for second-hand denim forever styles that flatter and fit rather than buying too much into trends of the moment. Denim is already a classic staple wardrobe addition and can be made into the perfect shorts for Summer once worn out, or used to make bags and other items too.
“I've found that you can update almost anything bought second hand or vintage/antique to fit in with one of the current trends, which is how ThriftVIP was born, providing new looks with pre-loved and vintage, updated for now.”
Madeleine, ThriftVIP
“It's about using the imagination to re-discover and re-imagine style, putting an individual twist on trends. That's what we need to encourage too within the slow fashion movement. I feel that's the way it's going now, more eclectic style is being accepted as fashionable now.”
Madeleine Wallner, ThriftVIP
be your best self and embrace your individuality
FASHION ACTIVISM
Above: Homage to Vivienne Westwood, Activist T-shirt design created with Thinkover art. Find it in the Punk Drunk Love Collection
Read about the collaboration here
“slow fashion rules”
FASHION’S FUTURE
As the fashion wheel spins faster, the more we have to play with as trends come around full circle, much more quickly. The fashion wheel spins ever faster, and risks spinning out of control with the existing business model. At ThriftVIP we offer all-year-round season-less collections, alongside seasonal ones, embracing the current season on the SHOP BY THEME page, by ordering the themes so the current season is at the top of the page, with transitional offerings too.
The brake-neck speed of the fast fashion model needs to be slowed, and the wheel of circulatory needs to be lit up in new and exciting ways. Slower trends, created less often and less seasons to show at Fashion Weeks, or seasonless collections, can all be filtered down to be more sustainable, or in limited numbers. Adding value through people and planet without greenwashing, with integrity and transparency, is the way forward.
Read my blog: THRIFT FUTURES FASHION FUTURES, WHAT NEXT? for more ways to refresh your wardrobe. Fall in love all over again with your clothes in my blog: DEAR WARDROBE I LOVE YOU for an insight into my own wardrobe and the stories behind some of my clothes, celebrating the joy of an emotional connection with our clothes.
For some fresh takes on pieces from ThriftVIP collections, see the STYLE TAKEOVER to elevate your everyday with pre-loved and vintage style. Visit our SUSTAINABILITY page for more about how we value people and planet and the slow fashion ethos.
If you prefer to watch a video, ‘The True Cost’ (trailer below) is a documentary film, directed by Andrew Morgan, exploring the impacts of the global clothing industry on people and the planet.
I’ll be updating this page and it will evolve and change with new information over time, please check back in from time to time.