As more and more companies continue to publicize their "sustainability"efforts to appease consumers, more and more terms are being thrown around that can leave us feeling overwhelmed, confused and sometimes misled.
"Slow fashion" specifically is being brought into more conversations as a more eco-friendly solution to negative social and environmental impacts from our global fashion industry.
So, what is slow fashion? Let's start with its opposite: fast fashion.
Fast fashion is defined as "inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends."
Ever wonder why all of a sudden every store is now selling emerald green? That's fast fashion rapidly producing to keep products relevant and "trendy." Importance is put on speed, rather than quality, in these fashion supply chains, which can ultimately have negative impacts on people and planet.
Slow fashion is therefore an alternative business model that rejects fast fashion, one that focuses on quality over quantity and creating sustainable supply chains. Slow fashion brands may use eco-friendlier or natural materials which are more durable than mainstream synthetic, or processed, fabrics that need to
be replaced more frequently.
The slow fashion movement comes as a response to addressing our planet's climate crisis.
According to Fashion on Climate, "the fashion industry contributes approximately 2.1 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in a single year, equivalent to 4% of all global emissions."
It is why companies, like livologie, have adopted a slower business model prioritizing sustainable practices and quality product of products instead of rapid turnover of clothing production. Using natural fibres like organic cotton, rather than synthetic polyester, helps advocate for slow fashion's "quality over quantity" ideology. Creating limited stock of garments also ensures no piece of clothing is going to waste.
Overall, slow fashion is a step in the right direction to transforming the fashion industry into a more mindful operation.
Because, as our friends at Fashion on Climate state, "as fashion lovers, fashion consumers and most importantly, global citizens, it's time to come together to slow down the fashion system and prioritize real sustainability for our
generations to come."
