Slow Fashion

A concept first coined by Kate Fletcher; a fashion and sustainability pioneer, design activist and author. She defines slow fashion as a different approach to fashion in which designers, buyers, retailers and consumers are more aware of the impacts of products on workers, communities and ecosystems. It accounts for everyone and everything involved in the products lifecycle from start to finish. 

Slow fashion focuses on reducing the consumption and the production of products. Paying closer attention to what materials go into the making of a product, how everyone in the supply chain is being treated. It provided a fair and ethically working environment and a more sustainable and thoughtful process to how products are being made.

It is buying well-made, timeless and quality garments that you will have in your wardrobe for years to come. Rather than poorly made and over produced garments made by fast fashion giants. Think quality over quantity. 

It is not the opposite of fast fashion, rather a different approach. 

Wander & Rove is a part of the slow fashion movement.

 

 

“Sustainable” has become a buzz word in the fashion industry, companies are throwing it around every chance they get. But what exactly does sustainable fashion mean?

Sustainable fashion can be defined as how clothing, shoes and accessories are manufactured and used in the most sustainable way possible. It takes into consideration both environmental and economic aspects of a product's life cycle from the design process, to material production, manufacturing, use, reuse, repair and recycling of a product. 

Sustainable fashion focuses on how to better protect the future of our planet and its people. Environmental aspects come into play by carefully managing resources to reduce waste and climate impacts. The efficient use of natural resources like water, energy, plants and protecting animals are all accounted for when creating products. It also ensures the safety and fair treatment of workers all the way down the supply chain. 

As some brands are slowly shifting their practices to become more sustainable it is hard for larger brands and big corporations to be completely sustainable in every aspect of the product life cycle. Supporting smaller brands and independent designers ensures a more sustainable process from start to finish. It is easier for these brands to manage the product life cycle and be more transparent in their practices. Products are produced in smaller batches, using more natural materials and new processes that reduce waste. They work closely with their team to ensure fair treatment in the workplace and care about making an impact in both environmental and economic aspects of the industry.

Long story short, support the little guys out there because you are supporting a whole lot of people who care and want to see a shift in the fashion industry! By supporting more sustainable brands you too can have an impact on how products are made, how we consume and the people we support. 

Slow fashion brands pay close attention to the materials used when producing garments. They try to stick to more natural materials such as organic cotton, linen, bamboo, hemp, tencel and lyocell. These materials are natural to the environment and will be able to break down over time compared to synthetic fibers that send millions of tons of plastic microfibers into our water systems each year and do not break down. Organic materials have low impact on the environment without using toxic chemical, harmful pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. The use of harmful chemicals and dyes used in the dyeing processes are eliminated which means less chemical run off in our water ways and no chemicals irritating our skin. What’s good for the environment is also good for your body too!

Brands such as Boyish focus on eliminating water production when making their denim, they use one third of the amount typically needed to produce a single pair of jeans. Recycled materials and dead-stock fabrics are also often used by our brands and designers.