Fast fashion, which emerged in the 1990s, represents the current fashion industry. In contrast, slow fashion aims to create a more sustainable industry that respects the planet, workers, and animals. It is embraced by labels such as Sloweare and dynamic startups like the Slowy marketplace. If you're considering purchasing clothing, this guide provides an overview of both eco-responsible fashion and fast fashion to help inform your decision.
What is fast fashion?
Fast fashion is a trend in the fashion industry that involves producing clothes quickly and at attractive prices. This encourages customers to constantly update their wardrobes. While it may seem advantageous to have regular clothing updates at affordable prices, the downside is that fast fashion takes a toll on the environment.
The Issue with Fast Fashion: What's the Problem?
Unsurprisingly, fast fashion has a detrimental impact on our planet. Under its current model, the fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world. The competitive pricing drives manufacturers to use cheap and polluting textiles such as pesticide-intensive cotton, petroleum-derived polyester, plastic-based nylon, and more. Additionally, the constant need to update one's wardrobe in fast fashion leads to wastage, with perfectly good garments being discarded or accumulating in closets. Furthermore, fast fashion comes at the expense of workers' rights as manufacturers often prioritize speed and low cost over fair working conditions. Sweatshops, where workers endure long hours for minimal wages, are prevalent in poor or developing countries.
Given this situation, transitioning to a more responsible fashion industry is imperative. However, achieving this requires raising awareness among individuals about the situation and the available solutions. Eco-friendly fashion, also known as slow fashion, emerges as the best alternative.
What is eco-friendly fashion?
Eco-friendly fashion, also known as ethical fashion, sustainable fashion, or eco-fashion, is a movement that aims to oppose fast fashion and transition to a more "gentle" industry that respects the planet and all its inhabitants. This type of fashion prioritizes the use of low-polluting materials such as hemp or organic cotton. Recycled textiles, such as reused polyester, are also highly valued for being both eco-friendly and affordable. Additionally, ethical fashion focuses on animal welfare and often uses vegan leather, which is less polluting due to its minimal treatment requirements. Sloweare is an example of a label that embodies eco-friendly fashion.
Discover Eco-Friendly Clothing in One Convenient Place
Slowy is a French startup that aims to create a marketplace for various ethical clothing brands. The goal is to offer a wide range of accessories made from eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, hemp, recycled polyester, and vegan leather. Additionally, the platform will cater to different price ranges and styles, making ethical fashion accessible to all budgets and preferences. Slowy is currently in development and is expected to be one of the leading startups in the field of slow fashion.
