Slow Fashion
Slow fashion is an important movement, it highlights certain areas within the fashion industry by promoting a different approach to consumption and demands an awareness of the fast rate in which most clothing is being produced by releasing minimal collections a few times a year.
Ready to wear clothing has been popular since the 1920s with mass production intensifying during the 1950s, seen initially as an economy booster due to large scale profit. Impact and sustainability regarding clothing manufacture and processing wasn’t observed in detail until the late 1960s.
Non conformist subcultures during the 70s and 80s rejected this incessant need for excess by upcycling clothes, wearing natural materials and sourcing vintage pieces, it was part of a rebellion against social institutions and capitalism. By the end of 90s the demand for inexpensive fashion accelerated, this was also the time when online shopping became available giving increased access to more and more products.
Production of cheap clothing was being designed, produced and supplied at a rapid pace. This would most often be outsourced and manufactured overseas due to wages and material costs being drastically lower, this also caused issues regarding manufacturing practices, poor working conditions and devastating environmental damage.
The internet also enabled information to be shared by anyone and gave insight into the unfair working conditions and unsustainable elements of the industry, it allowed environmentalists to document and share truths surrounding how clothes were made online and on television. Consumers gained knowledge about the principles and practices of brands. Luxury and high-street brands began to offer "eco" collections and other sustainable projects to rebuild trust.
Author and activist Kate Fletcher first used the phrase "slow fashion" in 2007 this was in response to a significant shift in the discourse and the industry's effects. There is more demand than in previous years for authentic sustainability. Slow fashion is included in the "slow movement" it promotes the production of clothing and accessories with consideration for people, the environment, and animals. It is is a subset of sustainable fashion and encourages a curated wardrobe, with a focus on timeless styles that are designed with consideration of form, wearability and durability. Garments are made respectfully valuing quality over quantity and are constructed with exceptional attention to detail, providing transparency throughout the manufacturing process allowing for informed decisions to be made based on personal values.
Pieces are often made using methods that are kinder to the environment, with lower impact, natural fibres like silk, linen, cashmere, wool and cotton, known for their premium characteristics and functionality.
Considerately created to stand the test of time and wear, often handmade adding emotional value and intentionally produced not to be thrown away.
Slow fashion is a separate term describing an area of sustainable fashion, some overlap each other, ultimately all sustainable fashion sectors aim to preserve skills, provide beauty, creativity and style without causing harm to the natural world.
Supporting the fact that supply chains should not cause irreparable damage to the environment, nor cause hardships for workers. Collections should not create as much waste materials or be overproduced to later be destined for landfill if unsold. Fibres should be recycled or natural, and clothing should be made well.