It’s simple.
We can be part of the fashion problem,
or the solution
A Sustainable Fashion Solution
GOOD DAY GIRL fashion designers are revolutionizing the Australian fashion industry.
They’re a local Sydney design duo with a completely different approach to producing clothes, that’s stylish AND affordable!
As a Sydney personal stylist, we share the same philosophy in that each fashion season should layer on top of the last, evolving your capsule wardrobe as you evolve as a person.
Clever, thoughtful wardrobe planning that reduces waste as you reduce consumption.
Contact me to be emailed this article so you can read easily in full
‘FASHION SINGS A SLOWER TUNE’
In the January 13th 2021 edition of the Wentworth Courier there’s a fantastic fashion article ‘FASHION SINGS A SLOWER TUNE’ that stopped me in my tracks.
FASHION STATS YOU DON’T WANT TO READ
The statistics from this article read:
>>Between 2000 – 2014 clothing production DOUBLED
I was working as a global fashion designer during this period and realise I was part of the problem – hence why I now work as a personal stylist trying to be part of the solution, to slow down fashion consumption, 1 client at a time
Increasingly my personal styling clients ask me for more ethically sourced and sustainable fashion which is reassuring to witness positive change happening!!
>>The average consumer now buys 60% more
>>Clothing is only kept half as long
This 60% increase in consumption wouldn’t be so much of a problem if we were purchased sustainable fabrics and fulfilled and enjoying wearing more of our clothes – but these stats tell us that consumers are increasingly unsatisfied with their purchases “a graveyard of unloved clothing” as Good Day Girl put it.
Pair that with covid-comfort-spending, recently reported as a:
>> +38% increase in clothing spend according to Mozo the money saving website !!
HOLY CR%P
If we carry on in this trajectory, 2030 looks incredibly concerning for our environment, our children’s future, our spending behavior and expectations as consumer
Start Wardrobe Planning
You don’t need loads more stuff in your wardrobes Sydney, you just need the RIGHT stuff, so this is the mantra I invite you to sit with this year, to ask yourself before you buy:
Do I really love this, will I enjoy wearing it often?
It reflects the trending hashtag:
#30wears
It changes your approach to buying, by encouraging you to only purchase items you’ll get 30 wears from
Have you seen my ‘FOREVER PIECES’ on my instastories that show you the fashion styles that generate well over #30wears?
This Behavior Creates Your Personal Style
So let’s pause for a mo to think about pieces in your wardrobe you’ve worn, or look forward to wearing, 30 times
CAN YOU THINK OF MANY?
Why do you you rely on them? What do they have in common?
It’s the REASON you wear what you wear on rotation that I’m eager to understand as a personal stylist, because THIS becomes the basis of your personal style
Made-To-Measure Fashion Style
Now, I’m not suggesting all conventional shops are replaced with made-to-measure, but I am saying that it would be great to see more of these more environmentally friendly yet affordable business models, wouldn’t it?
Let’s Start A Fashion Revolution
What if current fashion brands started to offer this service and as a result
STARTED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR TARGET MARKET!!
I’ve learnt sooooo much from workshopping 1:1 with my clients that would make me a much better fashion designer if I’d want to return to my former career (like, 500% better)
Imagine that – listening and responding to customer requests?
Now, certain brands are already good at this as they repeat best selling styles but often the update colours are a guess and still the production would be in large batches as that’s how they’ve always worked, but if Good Day Girl can manage producing low runs of 1 style from quality fabrics then surely larger fashion brands could off-set this cost too?
Omgosh
That would be a fashion revolution now wouldn’t it…?
Fashion Industry Overhaul
Here’s another scary stat courtesy of a BBC news report Fast fashion: Inside the fight to end the silence on waste by By Kelly-Leigh Cooper July 2018:
>> It is estimated that only 1% of our clothing is ultimately recycled into new garments
This is because of problems with industry processes such as difficulties in breaking down fibers to recycle them if they are a mixed yarn eg. a cotton/polyester blend, particularly man made fibers.
Buying recycled or ethically sourced fibers reduces waste, so is this something you look out for when purchasing?
So I know that this waste issue isn’t purely a over consumption problem but industry wide processes that need changing – URGENTLY!
That’s why the Global Fashion Agenda was set up in 2017 to work towards a Circular Fashion System, read more here
It’s Not Just “Fast Fashion” That’s To Blame
We all know the fashion industry, is a major contributor to greenhouse gases, water and air pollution, creates problematic levels of waste, and often comes with poor working conditions in other countries
We blame “fast fashion” but the reality is luxury fashion brands are also to blame.
>> Burberry burnt almost $40m of stock, instead of selling it off cheaply, to protect the brand’s exclusivity & value
How To Recycle Your Textiles
So then I ask you to consider how to reduce your own waste?
Below are some ideas plus a blog I wrote about easy ways to be more ethical, because let’s face it, no-one’s perfect but if we can all make positive changes that fits with our lifestyle, we’re more likely to maintain them:
- Dress For Success – an incredible charity set up to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life
- Local OP Shops – always needing quality donations
- Sell unwanted items – if they’re modern and in good condition there’s consignment stores, Ebay or facebook groups (my fav is High End) that will recycle your clothes in to money to give them new life. You can them recycle your money in to another item that will serve you better
- Give to friends who better suit them AND WILL ENJOY WEARING THEM!
- Clothes swap party – pull together some girlfriends you can swap items with and if you’re different body types, take accessories!
- Textile bins – located all over the country and in certain brands such as H&M and Zara help recycle old textiles in to new clothes
So let’s start 2021 with a mantra of mind-fullness
Let’s turn ‘mindless consumption’ in to
mindful consumerism
& enjoy our purchases more
Contact me to help put this in to practice and book in your session today