Clothing Industrial Complex

“There is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger and unhappiness”

– Mahatma Gandhi

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FASHION INDUSTRY

A LITTLE BACKGROUND:

If you want to learn about fashion's impact on the environment and gain awareness regarding the status quo and why it needs to change, we have provided some resources for you to check out

Netflix Documentary: The True Cost

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

REGAINING YOUR CONSUMER POWER:

Now that you are convinced the world of fashion is quite the unethical and unsustainable champ', here are some ways you can stop contributing to it and encourage a shift in the way it works:

Thrifting

https://verilymag.com/2020/05/how-to-be-a-thrifter-easy-guide-style-fashion

Thrift Stores in Montréal

Rental Services

https://twyg.co.za/how-rental-services-make-fashion-more-sustainable/

In Montreal

Get Creative

https://goodonyou.eco/7-creative-ways-to-upcycle-your-old-clothes/

Donate

https://www.hodgepodgehippie.com/clothing-donation-the-four-key-benefits-of-donating-clothes/

Donation bins close to you

https://gfgsmtl.qc.ca/en/donate-clothes/

SUSTAINABLE BRANDS:

By now you are probably semi-horrified, semi-fascinated by what you just uncovered but most of all PANICKED at the idea of never owning another piece of clothing that hasn't ever been worn before without feeling guilty. Rest assured, we have got you covered! Below are some brands that are (certified) ethically and environmentally responsible. Further down is a black list of brands that have been busted for being responsible on a surface level (Does greenwashing ring a bell to you?). You're welcome.

Ethical Brands on a Budget

More Expensive Brands

Olivia Rose The Label

Jewelry Brands

BLACKLISTED

https://goodonyou.eco/how-can-you-tell-when-a-fashion-brand-is-greenwashing

Some Brands Guilty of Greenwashing

H&M Conscious

ARKET

ASOS Eco Edit

Zara

SUSTAINABLE DESIGNERS:

If you are a high-budget kind of gal/pal or simply looking to follow the work of individuals looking to assure fashion's long-term survival, make sure to take a peak at these wonderful humans:

The Concept of Sustainability:
"From an environmental perspective, the aim should be to minimize any undesirable environmental effect of the product’s life cycle by:
a. ensuring efficient and careful use of natural resources (water, energy, land, soil, animals, plants, biodiversity, ecosystems, etc);
b. selecting renewable energy sources (wind, solar, etc) at every stage, and
c. maximizing repair, remake, reuse, and recycling of the product and its components.
From a socio-economic perspective, all stakeholders should work to improve present working conditions for workers on the field, in the factories, transportation chain, and stores, by aligning with good ethics, best practice and international codes of conduct. In addition, fashion companies should contribute to encourage more sustainable consumption patterns, caring and washing practices, and overall attitudes to fashion."
– Dr. Brismar, Green Strategy

“Clothes could have more meaning and longevity if we think less about owning the latest or cheapest thing and develop more of a relationship with the things we wear”

– Elizabeth L. Cline

“Greenwashing is the process of conveying a false impression or providing misleading information about how a company's products are more environmentally sound. Greenwashing is considered an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company's products are environmentally friendly."

– Will Kenton

“Becoming more mindful about clothing means looking at every fiber, at every seed and every dye and seeing how to make it better. We don’t want sustainability to be our edge, we want it to be universal.”

– Eileen Fisher, fashion designer