The term fast fashion is
thrown around with little regard given to the meaning and the impact that it
has on the fashion industry itself.
In a time when
mass-consumerism is at an all-time high, fast fashion is thriving but who are
the true victims and what is the solution to reinstate a much-needed ethical
balance within the design industry?
According to Investopedia,
‘"Fast fashion” is a term used by fashion retailers to describe
inexpensive designs that move quickly from the catwalk to stores to meet new
trends. As a result of this trend, the tradition of introducing new fashion
lines on a seasonal basis is being challenged. Today, it is not uncommon for
fast-fashion retailers to introduce new products multiple times in a single
week to stay on-trend.’’
The fashion industry is
working at an alarming pace to keep up with the insurmountable demand from
insatiable consumers. About 20 years ago, clothes shopping was an occasional
event when new sizes were needed or a special event was coming up.
‘Statistic’ is today’s
#slowfashionchallenge prompt 💕💕💕 and some of the ones I
have been learning about #fastfashion recently are still very shocking. This
Greenpeace quote shared by @fash_rev also stuck with me, recently. As somebody
who upcycles lots of second-hand items, I try to practice what I preach with my
own items, as well as my family’s clothing! I love to alter, embellish or even
re-design them (when I can). Living on a budget and being able to sew, also
definitely helps you stay focused! 😂 #slowfashion #creative #create
#recycle #remake #upcycle #upcycledclothing #madewithlove #loveyourclothes
#remade #remadeclothes #garmentcare #ecofriendly #environmentallyfriendly #sew
#sewing #seamstress #fashiondesigner #upcycled #upcycling #customising
#customize #diy #ooak #oneofakind #upcycling #oneofakindfashion
#oneofakindclothing #makeclotheslast
Then, something changed.
Clothes became cheaper and the life cycle of trends accelerated meaning that
the way in which we sought out clothes also changed. Clothes became cheaper and
with the rise of e-commerce sites, more accessible and instead of shopping out
of necessity, people began shopping because, well, because they could.
Suddenly, buying clothes
because a favourite pastime and catching onto the latest trends, somewhat of a
sport. Fashion because increasingly dispensable with people wearing outfits
once and throwing them away. Everyone could afford to emulate their favourite
celebrities and low budget stores were churning out runway knockoffs giving an
unprecedented level of accessibility to the masses.
However, in 2013, this rise
in relentless consumerism got a sobering wake-up call. The building which
houses Rana Plaza clothing manufacturing complex in Bangladesh collapsed
killing over 1,000 workers in a preventable tragedy which sent shock-waves all
over the world.
People began to wake up to
the true cost of the fast fashion industry and began questioning just how it
were possible for them to be $5 items on this side of the world. Who was
producing these clothes? What were they being paid? What conditions were they
working under? The day of reckoning had arrived for the fashion industry at
large and consumers started asking the tough questions.
Six years ago today, the
collapse of the #RanaPlaza factory in Bangladesh killed 1,138 people. On this
week’s podcast episode from #BoFVOICES, Kalpona Akter, founder of the
Bangladesh Centre for Worker Solidarity outlines her campaign to establish
fairer, safer working conditions across the garment industry. After becoming
the family breadwinner at 12 years old, Akter earned only $6 a month for 400
hours of service, in an industry with no job security and an epidemic of gender
based violence.
This story and other similar experiences remain a reality for some four million other garment workers in Bangladesh. Akter's life "completely changed" when she attended a four-hour external training class, where she learned about workers' entitlement to better wages, hours, job security and the right to organise. Upon forming a union with other workers in her factory, she was fired and blacklisted from the industry. 29 years on, Akter is still pushing for fundamental changes to the working conditions of those in garment factories. Listen to the full conversation over at businessoffashion.com [Link in bio] #listen #podcast ---- Follow @Pad_Fashion_ ---- Credit @bof #trend #instadaily
This story and other similar experiences remain a reality for some four million other garment workers in Bangladesh. Akter's life "completely changed" when she attended a four-hour external training class, where she learned about workers' entitlement to better wages, hours, job security and the right to organise. Upon forming a union with other workers in her factory, she was fired and blacklisted from the industry. 29 years on, Akter is still pushing for fundamental changes to the working conditions of those in garment factories. Listen to the full conversation over at businessoffashion.com [Link in bio] #listen #podcast ---- Follow @Pad_Fashion_ ---- Credit @bof #trend #instadaily
The manufacturing process
for fast fashion certainly leaves a lot to be desired with each garment being
produced at blinding speed with little thought for quality and longevity; in
order to keep the costs so low, manufacturers are using the poorest quality
fabrics.
So, what’s the solution?
It’s pretty simple actually, slow fashion. Slow fashion is pretty
self-explanatory and though the name may not sound appealing, it is a process
which holds everyone accountable at every stage of production and ensures that
works, artisans and designers are all held to a certain standard and given the
rights they deserve.
As consumers, we need to
ensure that the values of our selected designers align with ours. We should
endeavour to choose designers whose materials are locally-sourced and produced
and are proudly purveyors of the slow-fashion movement because these days, what
is fashion without a conscience?
Have you ever thought about including a little bit
ReplyDeletemore than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and all.
However think about if you added some great photos
or video clips to give your posts more, "pop"! Your content is excellent but with pics and video clips, this blog could undeniably be one of the most beneficial in its niche.
Awesome blog!