A Postscript to the Fashion Revolution Week

I don't usually write about sustainable fashion in my blog as I have my newsletter 'sustainably chic' dedicated to subjects as such but as a tribute to the Fashion Revolution Week (www.fashionrevolution.org), which doesn't really end as long as you believe in the vision of the global movement and participate in taking actions by starting to ask your brand / retailer the one basic question: Who made my clothes? (alongside with Where is it from?)

Among the tragedies and catastrophes which are happening every other second, the Tazreen fire and the Rana Plaza disaster were nothing short of catching the attention of conscious consumers who love fashion. Fast fashion has put profit and convenience over ethics and humanity. Brands and factory owners seem to be nonchalant about the safety and well being of the garment workers who certainly deserve every right to a fair wage, decent working condition and minimal dignity.


I am pleased to see that pressure on global fashion brands to become more transparent is working when they are asked to publicly acknowledge the people behind the scene who make our clothes, and you may see the latest report on the Fashion Revolution website. I urge our fashion consumers to look at fashion in a different way and to be part of the change of this culture of excess and buy only as needed and have meaning, things that are available and affordable and doesn't come at the cost of people or our planet.


Thanks to the instigation of Fashion Revolution, the latest global movement which raise awareness about the conditions in which our clothes are produced and that we are buying in huge quantities, only to be discarded as trash within weeks. It is our duties to put a stop to the social and environmental catastrophes in our fashion supply chains. Fashion is now produced as trends, rolling blocks of as little as 3 week lead times. The fashion giants and business magnate benefit from the fast fashion industry while we, as consumers, have to do well to keep up with the joness, both financially and physically, without considerin the workers who participate in the manufacturing process and the amount of pollution ensued as a result. 


Would I stop buying clothes? No but only when I absolutely need to and definitely not at the expense of the human and environmental sacrifices associated with it. I don't follow the pace fashion giants dictate and I am taking the slow and steady route, appreciating the skills, the time and efforts people have contributed in the process from sourcing to final production.


Here are some of my personal epiphanies from participating in the many workshops, film screenings and panel discussions on the subject of sustainable fashion:

• always go for clothes made out of organic cotton, silk and recycled fabric

• high fashion = sustainable fashion

• make sure the clothes that I buy don't come at the cost of people or the planet

• consider the cost per wear and make your investment work hard by wearing them again and again

• think of the current status of the landfill before buying / dumping

• buy less and buy better (if at all)

• take a stand against disposable fashion, impulse buys and fast fashion fixes

• rather than buying anything new, fall back in love with the things I already own

• look after your clothes to extend their lease of life

"Buy less, choose well, make it last." ~ Vivienne Westwood