The Monster Called Fashion
The world of fashion is huge. Like, WHOA big! I've only just dipped my toes in it, so ride with me as I learn stuff! Have you ever thought about large industries? The worldwide consumers? Have you thought about how big the plastic bag industry is? I'm definitely not going into details here. I'm just thinking about the total amount of money made from plastic bags worldwide. { rabbit trail: I hate plastic bags and vote we all switch to something more eco-friendly. Those bags do not decompose, and our world is much to beautiful to suffocate with plastic. :)}
Fashion is even bigger, I'd imagine, since clothing is kind of a necessity worldwide. There are shopping malls filled with clothes, homes filled with clothes, and landfills filled with clothes. Not only are we not being responsible with our production, but there are countless workers being paid a measly amount to make them. People are hurting because of the work conditions, the world is hurting because of the excess, and still others are hurting because of the lies used by fashion propaganda workers: "This is beauty"..."Here's how to 'fix' you"..."This is what you should look like, not that"... We should not be able to close our eyes. We should not be able to close our hearts. But we do. I do.
Isn't it hard to understand things that you've never seen? Isn't it hard for you to be convicted of something that doesn't seem relevant to your life? It's hard to understand this evil if you don't visit one of those factories, see one of those landfills, and believe the lies that are slipped into your thoughts. We've got to make it relevant to our life. When your best friend is hurting, you try your best to feel what she's feeling, understand her story, and relate to her in every way. That's what love does. Well, ready or not, we've got a job to love the whole world, and this is one of the few industries that affects the entire world.
There are lots of ways to help. Donating old clothes and buying ethically-made fashion are common fixes. So are recycling and buying second-hand, coupled with buying fewer yet quality items. Best is to not buy more, but of course we have to wear something, so why not use what we already have? Switching to thrift stores will decrease the demand for fast fashion, the workers' suffering, and the excess in general. AND, who ever heard of fashion propaganda in Goodwill? Most think it is full of junk and smelly clothes, but here's a secret: It's really a studio full of tools, ready for the artist to come and make a masterpiece. It's a place where you choose what's in style, beautiful, and you. Sometimes I think of it as an inspiration shop. So many wonderful materials and colors calling out to be "bibbidy-bobbidy-booed" into something chic.
My approach to fashion will be leaning towards the "reduce, reuse, recycle" path, or the "Make do or do without" path, or the "D.I.Y. Upcycle" path. But, there are things that I can't sew, or don't even want to sew. Frankly, swimsuit sewing is scary. I've been there, tried that, and it will be a LONG time before I try it again! Or shoes! I haven't really perfected that art yet either... So I'd like to share some amazing companies that I have on my dream closet shopping list.
BANGS Shoes: Oh these shoes. I LOVE them. They are #1 on my need to buy list. I am 100% positive there is room in my capsule wardrobe for these. They are essential because of their simplicity and ability to be worn with all sorts of outfits. Casual, around town, walking, at the beach...they're an everyday everywhere sort of shoe. Last, but not least, this company pledges to treat their factory employees with respect by providing fair wages and work hours.
Rey Swimwear: Fav fashion company right here. Rey Swimwear is modest, fashionable, and ethically made in the U.S.A. Jessica Rey is such an inspiration to me. She believed in modest fashion, and so she set out to make a difference. She set out to create a swimsuit that "reveals our dignity."
Fashion is even bigger, I'd imagine, since clothing is kind of a necessity worldwide. There are shopping malls filled with clothes, homes filled with clothes, and landfills filled with clothes. Not only are we not being responsible with our production, but there are countless workers being paid a measly amount to make them. People are hurting because of the work conditions, the world is hurting because of the excess, and still others are hurting because of the lies used by fashion propaganda workers: "This is beauty"..."Here's how to 'fix' you"..."This is what you should look like, not that"... We should not be able to close our eyes. We should not be able to close our hearts. But we do. I do.
Isn't it hard to understand things that you've never seen? Isn't it hard for you to be convicted of something that doesn't seem relevant to your life? It's hard to understand this evil if you don't visit one of those factories, see one of those landfills, and believe the lies that are slipped into your thoughts. We've got to make it relevant to our life. When your best friend is hurting, you try your best to feel what she's feeling, understand her story, and relate to her in every way. That's what love does. Well, ready or not, we've got a job to love the whole world, and this is one of the few industries that affects the entire world.
There are lots of ways to help. Donating old clothes and buying ethically-made fashion are common fixes. So are recycling and buying second-hand, coupled with buying fewer yet quality items. Best is to not buy more, but of course we have to wear something, so why not use what we already have? Switching to thrift stores will decrease the demand for fast fashion, the workers' suffering, and the excess in general. AND, who ever heard of fashion propaganda in Goodwill? Most think it is full of junk and smelly clothes, but here's a secret: It's really a studio full of tools, ready for the artist to come and make a masterpiece. It's a place where you choose what's in style, beautiful, and you. Sometimes I think of it as an inspiration shop. So many wonderful materials and colors calling out to be "bibbidy-bobbidy-booed" into something chic.
My approach to fashion will be leaning towards the "reduce, reuse, recycle" path, or the "Make do or do without" path, or the "D.I.Y. Upcycle" path. But, there are things that I can't sew, or don't even want to sew. Frankly, swimsuit sewing is scary. I've been there, tried that, and it will be a LONG time before I try it again! Or shoes! I haven't really perfected that art yet either... So I'd like to share some amazing companies that I have on my dream closet shopping list.
 |
| www.bangsshoes.com |
BANGS Shoes: Oh these shoes. I LOVE them. They are #1 on my need to buy list. I am 100% positive there is room in my capsule wardrobe for these. They are essential because of their simplicity and ability to be worn with all sorts of outfits. Casual, around town, walking, at the beach...they're an everyday everywhere sort of shoe. Last, but not least, this company pledges to treat their factory employees with respect by providing fair wages and work hours.
 |
| www.jessicarey.com |
Rey Swimwear: Fav fashion company right here. Rey Swimwear is modest, fashionable, and ethically made in the U.S.A. Jessica Rey is such an inspiration to me. She believed in modest fashion, and so she set out to make a difference. She set out to create a swimsuit that "reveals our dignity."
 |
| www.nisolo.com |
Nisolo: I fell in love with these shoes the moment I found Nisolo. Honest. I could sit and scroll through their website all day; pictures of beautiful, high quality shoes that are making a difference in someone's life. Handcrafted, leather shoes made in factories considerate of their employees. Be sure to check out their story for all of the details about production, vision, and factories.
Fashion can be a pink thing, a loving thing, an encouraging thing. We can use it to compliment, to support, to encourage people. Will you join me?
-Kae-
Ooh thanks for sharin' !
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome!!
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