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!
The first thing we can’t wait to do when we bring home a candle is light it up that night and bask in the calming candlelight. It’s our favorite way to unwind – the soothing scents melting the day away as we enter a relaxing rest-and-recovery mode.
With G Candles, the intricate designs have us thinking twice about burning the beautifully crafted bodies – instead, we look forward to decorating our dressing tables with these chic pieces that make for a captivating centerpiece.
G Candles was founded by Ghazal, an Iranian architect living in Malaysia with an affinity for art. She’s been making candles for years, but what started as a hobby, to spruce up her home and spoil her loved ones, became a profitable passion project during the MCO – like many others, Ghazal started a business from her own kitchen.
How did you come up with the distinctive design?
I’ve always appreciated the beauty of the human body – all shapes, sizes and appearances. Everyone’s uniqueness always catches my eye, so to me, the human body is the best work of art.
Other than the design, what else makes your candles special?
When I was trying to figure out how I could separate my brand from the others, I realised that love was the key ingredient – I hand-pour my candles and spend hours experimenting with the colours, so I feel very connected to them.
Many people overlook the ingredients of a candle because they aren’t being consumed. Why is it important to know what’s inside of them?
Many candles contain paraffin wax and the hydrocarbon mixture is actually harmful for the environment. I produce natural, vegan candles out of soy wax, which is cleaner and safer for both your health and the environment – thankfully, bigger candle brands are shifting to soy wax and non-toxic blends.
It has become increasingly important for businesses to be more sustainable. How else have you been practicing sustainability?
We safely deliver our organic candles in plastic-free packaging.
If you’re looking to add more allure to your space, a candle from G Candles would be the perfect piece of décor – or get it as a glamorous gift! Her best-sellers are the sultry black and millennial pink, but customers are able to customise their candles with luxurious scents, dazzling designs and bright colours. She recently added a male torso candle to diversify her collection.
Shop her Instagram page here.
Do you remember how exciting it was to find a tin of Danish butter cookies at grandma’s house? Our little fingers would struggle to pry open the shiny blue Royal Dansk container, but once we finally managed to get the lid off – our hopes and dreams of stuffing our faces with crispy cookies were shattered by the presence of a sewing kit.
That’s probably where our trust issues stemmed from (along with the other unpleasant surprises we’d find in different food containers), but it was also, most likely, our first introduction to sustainability.
According to the United Nations Brundtland Commission (1987), sustainability is defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. So when grandma needed a place to store her raw seasoned chicken – reusing a Neapolitan ice cream tub was her way of reducing waste and protecting the environment.
We might have laughed and even rolled our eyes as they hoarded plastic items, but now their methods of reusing and recycling are considered admirable and are highly encouraged. This makes them the true pioneers of the low waste movement. Here are a few familiar throwbacks to their sustainable living:
- Must. Reuse. Every. Container.
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter might be the name of a margarine brand, but it’s exactly how we felt every time we opened a tub of butter to find last night’s leftovers instead of a spread for our toast. We did not enjoy that guessing game!
- Triangular Plastic Bags
These were more enjoyable to do – we’d help fold plastic bags into triangles after grocery shopping and then store them in another plastic bag for future use. Plastic bags aren’t biodegradable, so this helped prevent them from ending up in landfills, waterways or the ocean.
- The Plastic Drawer
There was always that one drawer filled with, what seemed to be, the most random things from McDonald’s sauces and Domino’s chili flakes to plastic cutlery, straws and bread ties that were ready to be reused. Maybe hoarding had some points.
It has become our responsibility to protect the planet from further harm. Take a page from grandma’s book and reduce your waste by reusing single-use items (if you can). Through waste prevention and simple waste management, you’ll be able to reduce your negative environmental impact and help conserve the earth’s resources!
We’ve done a great job of replacing plastic straws with reusable alternatives, but what about the multiple cotton pads we dispose of everyday? Whether used for removing makeup or applying toner, it produces a lot of unnecessary waste that, fortunately, we can now cut back on. Here are six sustainable beauty products to make our everyday habits less wasteful (and more economical):
These super soft alternatives from The Mine Raw come in a set of five – just toss them into the washing machine before reuse.
Made with bamboo sticks and natural cotton, these compost-friendly swabs from The Hive are 100% biodegradable.
The size might be intimidating at first, but menstrual cups aren’t just greener – they’re also easier and healthier, according to the award-winning, OrganiCup.
If you’re still not convinced by menstrual cups, The Hive has a few eco-friendly pad options which are washable.
Antimicrobial and hypoallergenic, these bamboo cloth wipes are a brilliant alternative to makeup remover wipes, especially for sensitive skin.
- Silicone Masks
Swap out sheet masks for a single silicone mask cover from Daiso – place it over a hydrating mask or essence to lock in the moisture.
Not only are these options more sustainable, but they simplify your life too! You won’t have to make as many trips to the store as these products last-longer – that’s a win for your time, money and the earth! Reduce consumption, reduce waste.
