This post is a follow up on the one previously posted last week that spoke about local players that are fighting against capitalistic multinational clothing corporations that are destroying our world. On another hand, all around the world countries and communities are taking action against capitalism in the fashion industry and want to take matter into their own hands. Here are some ways companies are boycotting cheap and reprehensible practices, since the beginning of the year.
In Ontario Canada, the ethical-apparel industry is proning collaborations, transparency and innovation that embraces the DIY approach and creating new networks between designers, dyers, knitters and farmers, in order to fight overconsumption and the growing anxieties that are linked to climate change. Kristi Soomer is the CEO and founder of Encircled, a small factory boutique in one of Toronto’s neighbourhoods. They make 10% of their inventory but 100% of their products are made locally in Toronto. Because they are not ashamed in being openly transparent with the fact that their supply chain is entirely open-source, the company has created an informed and thoughtful clientele.
On the other side of the globe, in Australia, the Australian Circular Fashion Conference (ACFC) is ready to tackle the rising issues that are challenging the current fashion industry model, such as global warming, climate change, waste, environmental pollution and water scarcity. Circular fashion is a production model in which the production of fashion goods follows a circular form that recycles residual waste rather than, as quoted in the article, “take, make, waste”. Therefore, textile mills and manufacturing facilities follow this linear form of production and contribute to the fastest-growing waste streams in landfills over the last ten years. This process might cost more money for companies who want to invest in this practice but in my opinion profit should now be a second thought after the environment.
Rêve en Vert is a British online luxury shopping destination that fills in the retailer’s four ethical principles: organic, local, and re-made. Many people think sustainable clothing can’t bestylish and that luxury brands, like fast fashion will not adopt better ethical practices for the sake of the consumer, n exchange for a loss of profit. Although, Rêve en Vert proves quite the opposite. The site carries items from designers who care both about the planet and the people behind the products. The company also donates regularly to reforestation organizations so that they can tackle the environmental impact of international delivering. Moreover, I think it would be important to highlight a part of their « about » that i think every fashion retailer should also live by; « We are committed to driving awareness of how consumers think about the fashion industry. Rêve En Vert exclusively features designers who operate their businesses with respect for people and the planet. Our highly-curated collections deliver long-lasting fashion you can feel good about ».
I find it very refreshing to see that many companies are actually putting the consumer as well as our planet before the personal interests of the company (profit). It makes me hopeful that one day people will start putting morals before greed in decision making for big companies.
Seizing the Means of Fashion 