Social media has fashion moving faster than ever! And that’s not a good thing.
You’ve probably seen the term ‘fast fashion’ plastered all over social media, but what is it exactly? Fast fashion can be described as inexpensive, mass produced clothing designed to meet the latest trends.
With Instagram and Pinterest taking over magazines and catalogs as the place to find #outfitinspo, clothing brands are constantly having to keep up with the fast-changing trends churned out by these sites. Have you ever noticed how everything the Kardashians wear is already available to wear just a few days after they press post – at only a fraction of the price?!
These high speeds, and low prices, have caused a huge problem with pollution, waste and human rights abuses. As the issues become more pressing, many consumers, and brands, have become more conscious about their fashion choices – keeping an eye out for sustainable, as well as ethical, alternatives that benefit the planet, people and animals.
One of these brands is Love, Light, Lemons – a local charity initiative with the intention to curate sustainable products while continuously uplifting the lives of communities in need. Founded in 2017 by writer and yoga instructor, Raisa Gabrielli, they’ve offered the public sustainable products, from candles to now activewear, that benefit different charities each year.
Why should you choose their activewear? Well, for starters, its made from 100% organic cotton (GOTS certified) and sewn by refugees under UNHCR. Not to mention, their designs are super cute, just like the animals at their current beneficiary, The Strays of Shah Alam.
The brand aims to raise awareness on the impact of fast fashion, as well as the unfair treatment of refugees in Malaysia by providing a sustainable and ethically made alternative to consumers. Those who purchases these pieces will be supporting the production of 100% organic cotton over modified cotton (which has led to environmental degradation, and even deaths within Indian farming communities), and avoid wearing clothing made with plastic.
When it comes to reducing the negative impact of fast fashion, we all have the power and ability to make responsible choices. Play your part by supporting fair brands who strive to make a positive impact. This can help influence the industry to become more sustainable and ethical!
As consumers grow more aware of the harm caused by fast fashion, it’s been refreshing to see sustainability rise as a trend. But wait, what exactly is sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion uses materials that are carefully sourced and produced with the environment in mind. It’s also known as ethical fashion as it ensures safe and fair working conditions for their employees. In some cases, sustainable fashion can also refer to thrifting and repurposing – this involves upcycling old clothes and turning them into completely new pieces of clothing!
We’ve been seeing more and more local brands commit to making a difference, and they look good while they’re at it. Here are 6 local sustainable fashion brands you can support:
Terrae, which means ‘Earth’ in Latin and Italian, is a sustainable activewear brand that focuses on being both durable and timeless.
Their clothes are made from a material called ECONYL, which is regenerated nylon derived from discarded fishing nets, and fabric scraps that would otherwise end up in landfills. This virgin nylon alternative has great recovery power, so you don’t need to sweat about its performance! Even their packaging is produced from recyclable and biodegradable materials.
Inspired by the Russian word ‘озеро’, which means ‘lake’ in English, Ozero stays true to its creative name with each swimwear design being named after lakes.
By using ECONYL, their fabulous pieces are made from rescued plastic waste, such as fishing nets and industrial plastic, and offer everything you look for in good swimwear – like great shape retention, chlorine and suntan cream resistance, and excellent UV protection!
Batik lovers, this one’s for you.
Dona Plant Base is a sustainable brand that strongly believes in ethical practices and giving back to the community. Their beautiful batik pieces are made by artisans in Bali and therefore, each piece is completely unique and made in limited quantities – like a work of art.
They use natural dyes from locally grown plants, upcycled textiles, organic sustainable materials, as well as plastic-free packaging. Dona Plant Base offers the most gorgeous tops, dresses, bags, face masks and more!
Fast fingers are needed to get a Ghostboy piece since their tops are always sold out within minutes!
Founded by David and Cyii Cheng, Ghostboy Club is known for its distinctive one-of-a-kind pieces that can be spotted from a mile away. Each item is uniquely designed and handmade with used clothing sourced from thrift stores and donations. The end product is an eccentric piece of art that’s attracted their cult following.
Lazii Vintage is a sustainable brand that turns the oversized ‘dad shirt’ into all-the-rage goodness!
They rework and upcycle vintage sweatshirts and other clothing to increase the lifespan of each item. Their pieces are carefully curated and uniquely reworked by hand with no two pieces alike. Lazii also extends its sustainability efforts to the packaging by using eco-friendly and recycled materials.
Lemon by ACK is a slow fashion label that uses ethically sourced fabrics and materials such as 100% organic cotton to create eye-catching apparel and accessories.
Their beautiful tops, bags and swimwear are manufactured at a local sewing facility run by the non-profit organization, Life 2 Life El Shaddai, which focuses on fostering life-long skills and knowledge to displaced individuals.
Feed two birds with one seed and shop from these sustainable brands – you’ll be saving the Earth, ensuring fair practices and supporting small businesses!
