Posts Tagged: ethical fashion

Is swapping a trend or here to stay?

Have you heard of “swapping?”  Swapping has become really popular around the country in the past couple years with the recession, primarily around swapping clothes, but also extending out to furniture and even motorcycles!  The logistics of each swap meet event varies, but for a small entrance fee or sometimes no fee at all, you bring clothes that are in good condition but that you don’t want anymore.  Other people do the same, and you get to swap the clothes people brought in by “shopping” and taking them home with you!  The Swapaholics, founded here in Boston by two friends who love fashion, have been very busy the past couple years hosting events now all around the country.  You can watch some great interviews with them here about what happens at a clothes swap.

theswapaholics.com

Swap events are the ultimate in sustainable fashion.  So it’s clear how swap meets made a lot of sense when the recession hit and people needed to cut back.  These events have been a great way to still get that “retail therapy” fix we all need, but for little to no cost.  It’s become more accepted over these penny-pinching years to shop at consignment stores, repeat wearing your clothes more often, and attend these swap events.  But, as the economy starts to pick-up again and people’s discretionary income comes back, will people go back to the mall and skip over wearing other people’s clothes?  Or have these events introduced a brand new way of responsible shopping that is here to stay?

I think even if the recession is going away, people are still struggling to get by and it will take years to get back to where we were before it all went downhill.  With gas prices going up now due to the protests in North Africa, the cost of clothes and food are the next things to rise, so cutting back on the excesses of shopping will be here for awhile.  I do think for those people who are not so passionate about the consignment store way of shopping, they will be the first to go back to the traditional way of buying new clothes as soon as they have the money to spend.  But for people who have always been interested in sustainability, but just found out about responsible clothes shopping, swap events will be here despite the economy.

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sustainable fashion helps Haiti – Project Reconstruction

this year, indie magazine, VivaLaModa, shared the results of a great contest in sustainable fashion, called Project Reconstruction. for the project, 12 independent designers created a piece of clothing constructed from a men’s shirt.  the results were everything from a dress to pants.  the winning design was this super-cute romper:

the remaining designs are now available on eBay for auction for a really great purpose.  all proceeds will be donated to CARE – Emergency in Haiti, an organization that plans to stay in Haiti until 2015 to help rebuild homes, hospitals, etc.

so to purchase a one-of-a-kind design and help support a great cause in Haiti, bid for one of these items here now!

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why buy from an independent designer?

last year, i asked some fellow bloggers and designers why they buy indie.  this year, i decided to ask a very similar question to people who know first-hand what it’s like to support independent artists.  i asked the designers in the clothing menu boutique, “why buy from an independent designer over a mass-market store?” and here’s what they had to say:

a.g. ambroult - “We are living in a crazy consumption-obsessed country and so much is suffering from it. These days, families spend their ‘quality’ time chasing sales, and resources are being depleted in the name of our throw-away culture. Conversely, independent designers do their tiny part by creating quality-made items that are built to last. Many small business owners do their part to use earth-friendly practices, and they help keep the money local, too.”

Fischer Clothing – “To promote innovation, localization (Fischer Clothing is made here in NYC in a small factory that pays fair wages and has high quality standards) and personal style.  People are beginning to re-understand the value of ‘investment dressing,’ which basically means carefully choosing well-crafted pieces which are menat to last for decades.”

Truth – “Independent designers usually put a lot of work and heart into what they create! Plus, you get an exclusive piece, instead of thousands of others with your same piece.”

Pattern Recognitions - “You pay for uniqueness while supporting the artists.”

cuttlefish – “Because there is an opportunity to express your individuality more when your clothing and accessories are not mass-produced and on every third person you walk by.  There is a certain pride that can be taken in wearing something that you worked hard to find, select, and wear in a way only you can wear it.  And a certain pleasure in knowing that not everyone can have it.”

why do you buy from an independent designer?

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what do you think of this new recycled clothing line, dollparts?

i recently found out about a brand new clothing line, dollparts, based in chicago.  the concept behind the line is really cool.  the designer, michelle, takes vintage/thrifted clothes and leftover/unused fabric to create new clothes!  she is very focused on ensuring that the clothing line is eco-friendly by minimizing the amount of fabric that is used and by recycling fabric and details, like buttons and zippers, wherever possible. since dollparts is a new clothing line, there are 2 things you can do to make sure it’s a success:

- buy dollpart’s original clothes and vintage finds from the online store that just opened this week

- help fund the clothing line through kickstarter.  there are only 12 more days left – ends October 27!

what do you think of dollparts?

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indie clothing designer: alena hennessy

indie clothing designer, alena hennessy, is an artist who designs tees, scarves, totes, and prints. she is inspired by simplicity, stillness and a sense of little things relating to one another and you can definitely see that sense of calmness and softness in her clothes. plus a lot of her items are made of eco-friendly, organic materials!  please read more about alena hennessy in my interview with her below.

How did you get started creating your clothing line?

I have been a working visual artist for quite some time and started dabbling in prints and wanted to transfer that to clothing. It turned out to be an easy transition.

What three words would you use to describe your current collection?

Minimal, soft, sensual.

What do you think makes your designs different?

The balance of femininity with simplicity along with the fact that the prints on my designs are hand-drawn as I am firstly an artist and an illustrator.

What do you see in the future for your collection?

Keep continuing with eco-friendly wares as well as evolving with themes. I have been thinking of incorporating eastern feminine deities lately and taking some steps out in new directions with the line quality.

Why should people buy clothes from an independent designer over a mass-market store?

For so many reasons… supporting a working designer versus a mass-market store which may not hold ethical or environmental standards too high seems obvious to me. Also, it makes the purchase more personable and memorable because of the quality of supporting that designer and their individual vision.

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swedish indie fashion label pairs with the red cross

i love this partnership!  swedish indie fashion label, dreamandawake, has created 40 dresses to help raise awareness and funding for the red cross.  the dresses were produced locally in sweden, sewn together by red cross tailors, and 100% of profits are going to the red cross organization.  read more about the red cross collection from dreamandawake and buy clothes from the red cross collection for a good cause!

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365 days of sustainability for charity

it doesn’t seem like it’s been a full year since i first heard about the uniform project, but as of may 1, it’s complete! if you haven’t heard about it, check out the video below or this great interview from modcloth.com with Sheena, the woman who wore the same LBD for 365 days in a row and raised enough money to send 221 kids in India to school. can you imagine wearing the same dress for a full year?  Sheena definitely did a great job getting creative with it through the seasons!

Uniform Project Picture Book from The Uniform Project on Vimeo.

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independent ethical clothing line: Nixxi

Nixxi is an independent ethical clothing line that carefully picks fabrics that are from fibers not treated from pesticides and works with a local production company to make sure the work environment is fair for employees.  on top of all that, the clothes from Nixxi work for any woman’s wardrobe.  they are versatile, comfortable, and work great as part of a layered outfit.  find out more from Jada-Lee, the designer behind Nixxi in this interview with the clothing menu.

How did you get started creating your clothing line?

I’ve always had an attraction to details and lines, both artistically and practically.  Combined with my love for fashion, designing clothing was a natural fit for me. I started by taking existing pieces and revamping them and then from there, I began designing original styles to sell at the local market. I co-created a previous line for three years and then started Nixxi independently in 2007.

What three words would you use to describe your current collection?

edgy, organic, flirty

What do you think makes your designs different?

Nixxi’s aesthetic is mixing contrasts: draped silhouettes with structured lines; soft knits with textured wovens; taking contemporary shapes and refining them into versatile classic designs.

What do you see in the future for your collection?

Textile prints, accessories, and artist collaborations.

Why should people buy clothes from an independent designer over a mass-market store?

Mass-produced styles can sometimes lack a certain essence and quality. When I buy something from an independent designer, I treasure it so much more knowing that it is unique and that their heart was put into creating it.

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clothes from independent designers – all under $50!

one rumor about clothes made by independent designers is that they are expensive.  however, just like clothes available at the mall, indie clothes come in a range of prices.  some are expensive because a lot of time and artistry was put into the clothes and/or the fabrics and materials are of a high-quality.  but most of the clothes from independent designers are very reasonable priced, along with being of good quality and unique.  here is a sampling of clothes all under $50 from some of my favorite indie designers:

every little counts makes tees and sweatshirts inspired by romance and love.

zelaya is a family business from el salvador that makes everinomentally sustainable clothes.

andwhatelseisthere handmakes and tailors fashion-forward clothes from bangkok.

lamixx makes wardrobe staples that are comfortable and made to fit well on a woman’s body.

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independent clothing designer: Adhesif Clothing

Adhesif Clothing is dedicated to the sustainability of clothes and making one-of-a-kind pieces.  based in the home of the 2010 Olympics, Vancouver based independent clothing line, Adhesif, just launched its fun, feminine, colorful spring collection.  find out more from Adhesif designer, Melissa, in this interview below.

How did you get started creating your clothing line?

Well initially I started out working as a vintage clothing buyer and many of the items I found were damaged in some way and not in sellable condition. I bought a lot of those items for myself and would usually repair them or refurbish them by altering the style and creating a more modern feel. Ureka! The idea for Adhesif Clothing was born.

What three words would you use to describe your current collection?

Whimsical, feminine, eclectic

What do you think makes your designs different?

Aside from the fact that every single piece I create is completely one-of-a-kind, I would say that it is in how the garments are actually put together that makes them different. There is quite the thought process that goes into creating each piece with regards to the color composition and fabric selections. I’ve been told by my clients that the garments look like walking paintings with breaths all their own.

What do you see in the future for your collection?

I want to always work with reclaimed and vintage textiles to create my collections. If anything I would like to create more designs for men! I have so many ideas. It’s just a matter of time. Without giving too much away I’ll say that the Adhesif’s F/W Collection is inspired by the 1930’s.

Why should people buy clothes from an independent designer over a mass-market store?

Well there are a million reasons why people should buy local and the reasons are very obvious.  Supporting local produce and locally made items means supporting the local economy, which will only strengthen local communities. It’s actually a win-win situation if you really think about it.

With that said, most locally made garments, designs, and produce are very well made because many items are made by hand and there is more attention to the quality of the goods, thus meaning the longevity is there.

Also, people need to be informed about how damaging it is to buy mass produced anything. Sure the price is generally cheaper but it’s because most of the items are made to be disposable and have a non-existent lifespan. The consumer is thus forced to keep buying. Not a win-win situation. Unfortunately this means that these discarded items end up in landfills! Trust me, I’ve seen the proof of this first hand.


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