As the fashion industry continues to contribute to global warming and other environmental problems, both consumers and designers have begun to recognize the harmful effects of fashion trends. New terms such as Slow Fashion have emerged as a step forward towards sustainability, creating positive and lasting effects on our lives and the entire fashion industry.
But what exactly is Slow Fashion, and how can we apply it to our lives? Understanding this concept is essential to making a positive impact on the environment.
What is Slow Fashion?
Slow Fashion refers to the production and procurement of items that have long-term use value and are environmentally friendly. It's important to note that sustainable fashion is part of Slow Fashion, but Slow Fashion also revolves around the quality of an item that can be used for a long time.
The origin of Slow Fashion
The Slow Fashion movement started in 2007 when Kate Fletcher, a British activist, writer, designer, and professor of sustainability, first used the term in an article for The Ecologist. Following the Slow Food movement, Kate Fletcher believed it was time for the fashion industry to slow down and produce products that were of higher quality and more durable, using environmentally friendly materials rather than following trends with cheap materials.
Why is Slow Fashion important?
Slow Fashion plays a crucial role in our environment. In a world where fast fashion trends are growing rapidly and bringing environmental hazards, Slow Fashion presents itself as an alternative environmentally friendly trend. It helps us understand the harm that fast fashion causes to the environment and supports the local economy by enabling local fashion brands to create durable, quality, and eco-friendly products.
How does Slow Fashion help the environment?
Slow Fashion can help the environment in many different ways. By using natural organic fabrics in the production process, it limits the use of chemicals on the surface of the fabric. Environmentally friendly materials like linen help save water consumption, limit water pollution, and air pollution caused by exhaust fumes from factories. Clothes made from natural fabrics are more durable and reusable, reducing the amount of clothes that end up in landfills and avoiding the waste of resources.
Characteristics of Slow Fashion brands
Below are some basic characteristics of Slow Fashion brands:
- Made from high-quality, sustainable materials like hemp
- Garments are more timeless than trendy
- Often sold in smaller (local) stores rather than huge chain enterprises
- Locally sourced, produced, and sold garments
- Few, specific styles per collection, which are released twice or maximum three times per year, or a permanent season-less collection
- Often made-to-order to reduce unnecessary production
- Zero Waste
It's time for us to join the Slow Fashion movement, not only because of environmental values but also because it brings us durable clothes and timeless beauty. By choosing clothes made from natural fabrics, we can become more gorgeous than ever.