Having already discussed the slow movement in a previous blog, we thought it would be interesting to delve into the world of slow fashion. After all, whether or not we are all style experts, we all wear clothes at one point or another. Most of us buy from big brands, the fast fashion industry, usually for convenience. Emerging in the later half of the twenty-first century, the Fast Fashion industry is represented by the giants such as Zara, H&M, and Joe Fresh. Their low prices and fast cat-walk to rack ratio means that people can be stylish at lost cost, but also low quality. It’s designed to move quickly, and make you feel like you need to buy something new every week to stay in style.
As discussed in our previous blog post, it comes at a staggering human cost. It’s no secret that the fast fashion industry is closely tied to child labour, human rights violations, and gross environmental waste. And who can forget what happened in Bangladesh in 2013, when a building collapse at a Joe Fresh factory killed over 230 people. The police had previously ordered the building to be evacuated because of serious damage to the structure, but the company ignored the authorities and told its employees to keep working to that they could meet the quota of a fast fashion company.
So what is the alternative? As the name indicates, Slow Fashion is the opposite in every way to Fast Fashion. It’s a step backwards in time, to when every piece of clothing was made with care and attention. First, it is made by hand by experience designers. This means you know who made your clothing, meaning they are no longer faceless workers in an overseas factory. This insures better working conditions and fair wages. Because it is made by hand by artisans, slow fashion pieces are of higher quality- they are made to last. It’s more environmentally friendly as well, generating less waste.
Slow fashion also represents a fundamental shift away from consumerism. When you purchase a slow fashion piece, it might be more expensive, but it represents everything a purchase should be. Slow fashion represents high-quality products that are meant to last you a lifetime, not something made to fall apart at the seams. Slow fashion represents art made into clothing so that each piece is unique. There is no doubt that slow fashion is an investment: in yourself, in other’s artwork, and in the planet as a whole.
So how do you make the move to slow fashion? We’ll admit, there is a little bit of research involved, but a quick Google search can sort you out pretty quickly. Or, if you don’t have the patience, here are some slow fashion brands we recommend to get you started.
D’Un Comme Un Accord
https://www.facebook.com/duncommeunaccord/
This Barcelona based brand was created by two sisters and is located in El Born. Each piece of clothing is made by hand with extremely careful consideration to quality. They also offer style consultation and will find the perfect piece to match your personality and lifestyle.
Ozz Barcelona
https://ozzbarcelona.com/
This store, located in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, hosts a wide selection of slow fashion brands. With something for everyone, the concept store also allows designers to come together and collaborate in their coworking space.
Bulbo, located in Gracia, believes that sewing is healing. They have a wealth of designs for women, each a unique piece. They also offer workshops in sewing and design so that you too can learn the art of slow fashion.
