As a sustainable clothing company, addressing the issues caused by the fast fashion industry is central to our mission. However, we understand that not everyone is as immersed in the fashion world as we are. That's why we've created this cheat sheet with everything you need to know about fast fashion and how we can improve the fashion industry as a whole. Before we dive in, we want to clarify that this information is not meant to shame anyone who shops or has shopped for fast fashion clothing. We recognize the challenges of meeting basic needs, and in many cases, fast fashion may be an essential solution for those needing affordable clothing. It's important to note that these brands thrive on overconsumption, and it's often those of us who buy more than we need who perpetuate this cycle. What IS fast fashion? Fast fashion refers to cheap, trendy clothing produced in high volumes. This phenomenon has surged alongside social media, with influencers and celebrities driving the demand for new clothes at an unprecedented pace. Fast fashion brands release new collections weekly, if not daily, offering trendy pieces designed to be worn a few times before being discarded. This disposable approach has transformed how we consume and perceive fashion. Fast fashion brands offer clothes meant to be worn a few times before shoppers move on to the next trend cycle. They achieve rock-bottom prices by producing clothes in massive quantities, using low-quality materials like polyester and acrylic that deteriorate quickly. The industry's practices often involve inhumane working conditions and unlivable wages for employees. The fast fashion industry’s unforgivable human rights violations and the massive waste they produce demand our attention. As consumers, the most impactful action we can take is to stop purchasing fast fashion clothing. We know it’s tempting when inflation is high and the cost of everything seems to be rising, but the best solution is to stop feeding the machine. How does fast fashion impact the environment? The mass production strategy of fast fashion has a staggering environmental impact. The fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water worldwide and is responsible for producing more than 20% of the world’s wastewater. Gone are the days when clothes were made from natural fibers and worn for years before wearing out. Now, a dump truck full of textile waste is emptied into a landfill every minute of the day. That’s enough to fill 1.5 Empire State Buildings every day! Fast fashion clothes, made from non-biodegradable fabrics, will remain in landfills for an average of 200 years. Fast fashion also significantly contributes to global pollution. The industry relies on artificial dyes and cheap, synthetic fabrics like polyester, which release microplastics and harmful chemicals into local ecosystems and contribute to plastic pollution in our waterways. You can read more about the problems with microplastics here. This toxic waste directly impacts humans when it’s ingested by marine life like oysters, mussels, and small fish, then eventually consumed by us. At every stage of its life cycle, textile waste can cause disease and disability, and contribute to premature death. Consuming textile waste through the food chain can result in endocrine malfunction, premature birth, obesity, infertility, cancer, and more. The disposable nature of fast fashion clothing also generates a substantial carbon footprint. Just think: making a pair of jeans produces as much greenhouse gases as driving a car more than 80 miles. According to a report by Business Insider, the fashion industry comprises 10% of total global carbon emissions – a figure expected to skyrocket to 60% by 2030. From the cultivation of raw materials to the transportation of finished products, the fashion industry’s carbon footprint is alarmingly high. How does fast fashion hurt people? Beyond its immense environmental toll, the fast fashion industry has severe social consequences. The drive to produce cheap clothing often involves exploiting workers, particularly in developing countries. Garment workers endure long hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions. Fast fashion brands frequently engage in unethical practices such as child labor and forced labor. The pressure to meet tight deadlines and low prices creates a breeding ground for human rights abuses. Of the more than 60 million garment workers worldwide, the vast majority earn 2-5x less than a livable minimum wage. Workers go without adequate sleep, health care, food, education, and the ability to save or plan for the future. They work in dangerous, often deadly conditions. Factory fires are common and large-scale disasters like the Rana Plaza factory collapse in 2013 are always a high risk. The harmful impact extends to farmers and surrounding communities, where pesticides and chemicals used to increase crop yields cause deadly illnesses and contaminate local ecosystems. The emphasis on rapid fashion cycles stresses the supply chain, sacrificing human welfare for profit. How do we identify fast fashion brands? Fast fashion brands are identifiable by the vast amount of options they provide, the (lack of) fabric quality, and, most tellingly, the cost of their products. It’s simply not possible to sell a dress for $12 while paying fair wages, providing safe working conditions, and using eco-friendly materials. Many fast fashion brands provide vague information about their production processes, shifting blame onto suppliers and subcontractors and denying responsibility for inhumane working conditions. A recent trend among fast fashion brands is to claim sustainable practices, but a closer look often reveals greenwashing – a marketing tactic that falsely advertises environmental benefits. Brands attempt to sell products by using terms like “ethically sourced,” “eco-friendly,” or “carbon neutral” without any evidence to support these claims. Greenwashing is a tactic that distracts consumers from the company’s less-than-ethical pursuits, like their use of forced labor or child labor. Some examples of fast fashion brands we avoid at all costs are Shein, Temu, Zara, H&M, Gap, Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, and ASOS. These companies add hundreds of products to their websites each day, primarily use synthetic fabrics, and offer little or no transparency about their labor force and working conditions. Garment workers in fast fashion factories report physical and sexual abuse, child workers as young as 12 years old, forced unpaid labor, and even deadly working conditions. When we’re tempted by fast fashion, we consider the people behind the clothing and decide it’s simply not worth the cost. What are some solutions to the fast fashion problem? Buy less and choose well. The most significant step we can take to end fast fashion is to curb our consumption. We can empower ourselves by recognizing that we don’t need a new outfit for every occasion and that whatever our favorite influencer is loving this week is not a necessity. When we do need new clothes, we can purchase from ethical, sustainable businesses or thrift stores, subscribe to clothing rental companies like Rent The Runway and Nuuly, or check second-hand apps like ThredUp and Poshmark. Here are some tips to avoid supporting fast fashion brands: Research brands: Before purchasing, research the brand's sustainability practices, labor policies, and material sourcing. Invest in quality: Choose well-made pieces from brands that prioritize durability and ethical production. Embrace secondhand fashion: Shopping at thrift stores, consignment shops, or online resale platforms is a great way to find unique and sustainable clothing. Support sustainable brands: Look for brands that use organic materials, fair labor practices, and transparent supply chains. Repair and mend: Extend the life of your clothes by repairing small tears or alterations. By being mindful of these factors and making informed choices, we can contribute to a more sustainable fashion industry. Ready to ditch fast fashion for good? We've got you covered! Explore our collection of sustainable clothing made with ethical practices and check out our blog for all of your sustainable fashion resources. Sources: https://blogs.gwu.edu/law-gwpointsource/2023/10/02/fast-fashion-polluting-our-water-millions-of-clothing-items-at-a-time/ https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/ https://www.wri.org/insights/numbers-economic-social-and-environmental-impacts-fast-fashion https://cleanclothes.org/poverty-wages https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20201208STO93327/the-impact-of-textile-production-and-waste-on-the-environment-infographics
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Babe Tee design unreleased from 2021 celebrating diversity! Screen printed by hand by me, Bella in Adelaide. Printed on a premium tee from Mindful Merch, a sustainable and ethical company, dedicated to crafting high-quality tees. Find out more sustainability info here: https://www.mindfulmerch.com.au/pages/our-commitment#fabric Tops run large :)
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Making Stories is a beautiful knitting magazine created by Hanna-Lisa Haferkamp, which strives to feature companies and makers who focus on sustainability, transparency, fairness and equity. Each issue is printed in Berlin on 100% recycled paper. Issue 1 presents thoughtful accessories and versatile garments that are designed with change in mind. Issue 2 offers cosy accessories and comfortable garments that are inspired by loving and caring for ourselves, our community and our planet. Issue 3 explores the topic of Growth with patterns that reflect this inspiration both in their stitch patterns and construction. Issue 4 is an invitation to take a look at the craft we love and share as a way of challenging the status quo, changing standards that no longer serve us, and, yes, subverting the norm. Issue 5 explores the hidden qualities of plants and nature to shed a light on the essential role they have for us and the planet. Heidi Reszies designed a beautiful sock pattern, Cacti, in our very own La Bien Aimée Mondim base in the Driftwood Graffiti colorway. Issue 9 is an exploration of secret gardens, it invites you to breathe in deeply, to delight at that peony that's just starting to bloom. In this issue you can find a beautiful design by Marie Régnier : the Peony cardigan in our Corrie Worsted base colorway Dawn. Dimensions: 20cm x 26cm x 1cmWeight: 0.4kgPages: Approx. 130 pages, completely ad-free
*Jumbo Boxes cannot be shipped internationally due to their weight* Regular Box: ~2.5# Fabric ScrapsJumbo Box: ~5# Fabric Scraps In an effort to reduce waste and make our business even more sustainable, we are pleased to offer these unique Maker's Boxes, piled high with gorgeous fabric remnants from our studio. Inside the recyclable and reusable box, you will find a vast array of our fabrics. Each box contains pieces the size of your hand or larger in an assortment of linen, organic denim, hemp jersey, hemp fleece, organic cotton canvas and organic gauze. These fabrics are suitable for quilting, mending, napkins, home goods, making toys, dolls, baby clothes or blankets, underwear, and more. All of the fabrics are up to the quality and standard of our sustainably-minded company. The hand-dyed pieces were dyed with low-impact dyes, and all of the fabrics have been pre-washed and dried. Ways to use this box: -napkins & household clean-up-make a baby quilt-combine with your own fabric stock to finish a full-sized quilt-dollmaking-embroidery -sewing sample practice-collage-patching & mending-appllique-printmaking The possibilities are endless! **The quilt shown in the photos is an example for color and style reference. the quilt boxes are not pre-cut for an individual quilt, but rather a supply box to use for any number of projects.
Babe Tee design unreleased from 2021 celebrating diversity! Screen printed by hand by me, Bella in Adelaide. Printed on a premium tee from Mindful Merch, a sustainable and ethical company, dedicated to crafting high-quality tees. Find out more sustainability info here: https://www.mindfulmerch.com.au/pages/our-commitment#fabric Please note, tops run large :)
Original artwork by MOCO Fragrances. Small batch screen printed in Indianapolis, Indiana on blanks that are sourced in the USA from a company that is sustainable, prioritizes a low carbon footprint, and made by workers who are paid fair wages. Keep in mind, we purchase slightly imperfect perfect blanks (such as tiny holes, minor markings or spec issues) to save them from landfill. High neck Teal (semi-distressed) water-based ink Off-White colored tee 100% Recycled Cotton Body Length Chest Width Sleeve Length XS 261/2 in. 17 in. 77/8 in. S 271/2 in. 19 in. 81/8 in. M 281/2 in. 21 in. 83/8 in. L 291/2 in. 23 in. 85/8 in. XL 301/2 in. 25 in. 87/8 in. 2XL 311/2 in. 27 in. 91/8 in.
Making Stories is a beautiful knitting magazine created by Hanna-Lisa Haferkamp, which strives to feature companies and makers who focus on sustainability, transparency, fairness and equity. Each issue is printed in Berlin on 100% recycled paper. Issue 1 presents thoughtful accessories and versatile garments that are designed with change in mind. Issue 2 offers cosy accessories and comfortable garments that are inspired by loving and caring for ourselves, our community and our planet. Issue 3 explores the topic of Growth with patterns that reflect this inspiration both in their stitch patterns and construction. Issue 4 is an invitation to take a look at the craft we love and share as a way of challenging the status quo, changing standards that no longer serve us, and, yes, subverting the norm. Issue 5 explores the hidden qualities of plants and nature to shed a light on the essential role they have for us and the planet. Heidi Reszies designed a beautiful sock pattern, Cacti, in our very own La Bien Aimée Mondim base in the Driftwood Graffiti colorway. Issue 9 is an exploration of secret gardens, it invites you to breathe in deeply, to delight at that peony that's just starting to bloom. In this issue you can find a beautiful design by Marie Régnier : the Peony cardigan in our Corrie Worsted base colorway Dawn. Dimensions: 20cm x 26cm x 1cmWeight: 0.4kgPages: Approx. 130 pages, completely ad-free
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Style No. 66896119; Color Code: 018 Handcrafted from sustainably sourced teak wood, this chair is a welcome addition to any light-filled space. Best of all? It features a saddle handwoven from cord for an artisanal touch. For ordering assistance and more, please contact us. For aesthetic advice and tips to help decorate your space, enjoy our complimentary home styling services. For more information on the materials and techniques of this piece, click here. Because this furniture is crafted by hand, no two pieces are exactly alike. Please expect unique variations in color, natural texture, and pattern (including woodgrain) from the imagery shown. Sustainably sourced teak wood chair with handwoven cord seat Sealed with clear lacquer for protection Wipe clean with damp cloth. Avoid using chemical cleaners This piece is intended for indoor use No assembly required Handcrafted in Nicaragua Dimensions Overall: 36"H, 28"W, 29.25"D Seat Height: 18" Seat Depth: 20" Back Height: 20" Arm Height: 25" Leg Height: 10" Under Clearance: 9.75" 35 lbs. MasayaCo Based in Nicaragua, MasayaCo, a furniture company formed in 2015, is on a mission to bring its environmentally minded seed-to-seat model to the world. The brand marries a reforestation initiative of over 1,100 acres of land that produces long-term renewable timber, and the artisanal traditions and local craftsmanship of the rich cultural town for which it is named. Using an on-site mill and carpentry shop, each design is handmade using responsibly grown teak that lasts a lifetime.
Four colors represent the interconnected aspects of a fulfilling life: Nurture Your Heart, Educate your Mind, Strengthen Your Body, and Nourish Your Soul. The bold "Strive" inscription reinforces the brand's commitment to empowering families to connect, create, and thrive. Wear this shirt as a reminder to prioritize balance and growth in all areas of your life. Product o Bella + Canvas is a US apparel company that prioritizes sustainability o Adult unisex sizing o Direct to garment printing o eco-friendly: water-based, biodegradable, non-toxic ink o colors may vary from screen to screen Features o Solid colors are 100% Airlume combed and ringspun cotton (fiber content may vary for different colors) o Tear away label o Runs true to size o Retail fit o Dual side seams help garment hold shape longer o Ribbed knit collar with seam o Shoulder tape to prevent stretching Production and Shipping o Most customers will receive their product between 7-9 business days o Processing time: 3-5 business days o Standard Shipping: 3- 7 business days after production Care instructions o Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F); non-chlorine, bleach o Tumble dry: low heat o Iron, steam or dry: medium heat o Do not dry-clean Cancellation Policy o Each shirt is made to order. Returns, exchanges and cancellations are not accepted o Please check the size chart in the photos before ordering Please send me a message if you have any problems or questions. Thanks for stopping by! This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
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Columbia Talbert Ridge T-ShirtColumbia Talbert Ridge T-Shirt in Stone Blue. Made from 100% cotton, this regular fitting Columbia t-shirt is designed with a classic crew collar and a reinforced hem. Finished in a shade of pastel blue with printed front and rear graphics.Celebrating their 85th anniversary in 2024, Columbia Sportswear is a time-honoured outdoor brand rooted in mountaineering, alpine and trail culture. Backed by their Hat Company origins and by their Pacific Northwest roots, Columbia is an open-minded brand that continues to focus on processes of sustainability and quality craftsmanship.Product Details100% CottonRib Knit CollarPrinted GraphicsRegular Fit
Evove is an Australian company that designs and manufactures a bespoke collection of interior timber surfaces comprised of wall-mounted panels. The panels, made of sustainably sourced and FSC-certified hardwoods, are created, sized, and specifically designed to make use of the abundance of offcuts produced in the factory of Evove's parent company, Evostyle.
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