I thought I would introduce this wrap by sharing a great post I stumbled across this week on Instagram. It really had me pausing for thought.
The post from @f.laura_and_fauna lists some of the differences between a fast and slow fashion mindset. While a fast fashion mindset focuses on regular, impulse purchases that result in little wear, a slow approach involves thoughtful purchases that have longevity in mind, while also making the most of what we have.
As pointed out in the caption, even when shopping with sustainable brands or secondhand, we can fall into this “fast fashion mindset”.
The moral of the story? Stop and think, and ask yourself which mindset you find yourself in before committing to a purchase.
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Remake 2021 Fashion Accountability Report
5 podcasts on all things fashion, psychology and sewing
This week's recommended reading
Remake 2021 Fashion Accountability Report
Have you come across the Remake 2021 Fashion Accountability Report?
This report, published December 2021, is the second of it's kind and scores 60 fashion companies on their performance on six key areas:
Traceability
Wages and Wellbeing (e.g. paying of living wage)
Commercial Practices
Raw Materials
Environmental Justice and Climate Change
Governance, Diversity and Inclusion
While, I could try to summarise the whole report, I feel that would risk presenting an incomplete picture. The report, while lengthy, is easy to digest so I recommend checking it out yourself if you're interested. But if you are short of time, the report has a navigation panel, offering a "Key takeaways" section, so I suggest starting with that.
Here are some of the findings I found interesting:
16 small to medium sized brands (or SME's) were included, and were found to score four times higher (37 on average) than big companies, which scored an average of 9.
Conversations and goals aren't turning into action when it comes to the climate crisis. Of the 60 brands featured, only 1 demonstrated emissions reductions that would be in line with the ICPP’s 1.5 degree pathway.
Progress is being made when it comes to the availability of information regarding tier 1 and 2 suppliers (36 publishing a tier 1 supplier list, and 8 beyond tier 2). However, that's kind of where it stops. Only 3 brands published their entire supply chain, down to the raw material level. While there is some knowledge regarding where fashion is made, there remains big question marks over how (i.e. living wages, working conditions, labour and gender based violations).
Shockingly, only five brands out of the 60 could demonstrate that a living wage was being paid. This is obviously a big, and important, area to improve.
The more circular models of resale and rental are growing, however they are occurring parallel to traditional linear business models that utilise virgin resources.
Listen & learn with these great podcasts
I usually set up my podcast playlist on a Sunday night, ready for the working week ahead. I find that podcasts are a great way for to stay productive while "on-the-go".
Therefore, I thought I would share a list of some of my favourite podcasts on all things fashion, psychology and sewing.
Wardrobe Crisis with Clare Press: I am a huge fan of Clare Press, and her podcast 'Wardrobe Crisis' is one of the best out there. She speaks to a wide range of guests, and covers everything from fashion, culture, sustainability, ethics, activism and the environment. Not much else to say really - just be sure to check it out yourself!
Common Threads: Hosted by ethical fashion writer Ruth MacGlip and stylist Alice Cruickshank, this podcast is really informative, offering useful advice on how together we can make the fashion industry better for both people and planet.
Everyday Ethical: While a new episode hasn't been released in a while, this podcast is still worth a listen. Each episode looks at a different aspect of our day-to-day lives, suggesting simple ways in which we can be that bit more sustainably and ethically minded. I love how practical this podcast this!
Speaking of Psychology: Produced by the American Psychological Association, this podcast looks at the latest, and most relevant psychological research, including some great episodes on consumer behaviour.
Love to Sew: I only recently got into sewing podcasts, with this one quickly becoming a favourite. Hosts Helen Wilkinson (a blogger and sewing pattern designer) and Caroline Somos (founder of Blackbird Fabrics) discuss all things sewing. Whether you're already are a sewer or want to learn, this podcast offers some great advice on sewing your own wardrobe, discussing everything from different fabrics, to breaking down different parts of a garment.
What I have been reading online this week
Small brands are setting goalposts for sustainable fashion, from Vogue Business, introduced me to the Remake Fashion Accountability Report (mentioned above). The article focuses on small brands, and how they are leading the charge towards a more sustainable future.
In an earlier wrap-up, I introduced the Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act. The post Strengthening the New York Fashion Act, from Fashion Revolution, is an interesting discussion of how the Act may be falling short of what is needed. As a result, a group of 20 organisations have sent a letter of proposed amendments that they believe would make the Act stronger, and improve the chances of making meaningful, and positive change for people and planet.
This last one is a bit of fun, and certainly put a smile on my face! The woman dressing as a household item every day in January, from the BBC, describes how one women has turned the "January blues" around by setting herself a creative challenge. For each day of January, Fashion designer Taryn de Vere, has been dressing up as a different household items (from Quality Streets to sunflower oil) using only the clothes in her wardrobe. She also describes how dressing colourfully, and more flamboyantly has helped her heal from a traumatic experience.
Please get in touch or leave me a comment. I would love to know what you have been reading, watching or listening to this week.
Thanks for reading, and see you next week!
Emma xx
This is a personal blog. Any views or opinions contained on this site are my own. I am not affiliated with any brands, products, or organisations mentioned, and do not receive any sponsorship, payment, or other compensation for any of the content on this site.
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