Fashion Revolution Week, Part 1
Fashion Revolution week is about making the fashion industry a more ethical, sustainable industry. Set up after the collapse of Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh in 2013, Fashion Revolution aims to change the way the fashion industry works, how it impacts people and the environment, and how we think about fashion, as no clothing should cost human lives.
I thought I would use Fashion Revolution Week 2017 to look at some of my own wardrobe, and some of the companies I admire when it comes to making a difference. According to Carbon Trust, if you can double the life of a garment from one year to two, you reduce emissions over the year by 24%, so I'm very proud to have items in my wardrobe that have been there for many years.
Hand woven dress, from People Tree
Styled with an Erraid Blanket scarf
One of my favourite dresses is from People Tree, from about 6 years ago. Made with hand woven cotton, it is fair trade. People Tree design their clothing range to include a variety of traditional skills such as weaving, embroidery and knitting, to ensure that the artisans they use continue to have employment. Safia Minney, founder of People Tree is an inspiration herself, as she constantly works to raise awareness of issues in the fashion industry. Her passion for improving people’s lives is infectious!
Knowing that this dress is handmade makes it more valuable to me- I can imagine someone making it and appreciate the time and skill that it took to make the fabric. The colours are great, and to top it all off, the dress has pockets! I love it so much I have it in two colourways, and pretty much live in this dress all summer! All I need now is some good weather…
There are many reasons why I love this dress, and I will make sure it stays in my wardrobe for as long as possible!
Rebecca dress from Phannatiq
The second item I’ve picked for Fashion Revolution Week is from Phannatiq. Phannatiq are an ethical fashion label based in London, founded by designer Anna Skodbo. All the pieces are made in Europe, and the fabrics are as sustainable as possible. This Rebecca dress is a mix of organic cotton, bamboo and elasthane- it feels amazing. Loving colour, I bought a white dress and dyed it, so now it is unique to me, and I’ll never want to throw it out.
Vintage, hand embroidered top, over my Phannatiq dress- the blues match perfectly!
The last piece I've picked from my wardrobe is this vintage top. It's clearly handmade- the seams are hand stitched, and the embroidery has been done by hand. My mum bought this in a charity shop before I was born, and she gave it to me when was in my late teens. It's stunning- I love all the details, and its unique shape. It has a past- some of which I know about, some I don't, and I love that too. It has needed a little bit of mending here and there, but I think that now adds to its charm- I'm going to do my best to keep this piece an active part of my wardrobe.
One company I’ve recently come to admire is Wråd, a company working to design clothing that reduces environmental impact. They seem very transparent in the details of their clothing, something which is becoming an increasingly important- and it’s very interesting. I’m lusting after their Anorak Jacket, made with beeswaxed organic cotton.
Loved clothes last. My rule when buying new items, is that I have to be thinking about the piece I want for at least a week before I buy it- that way I know I really like it and will wear it for years. Otherwise it’s an impulse buy, which ends up at the bottom of a draw, which I never wear, only to be thrown out in a few years.
Do you have pieces in your wardrobe that you love year after year?