4/18/2012
FASHION FIGHTS POVERTY
Eco-ally FĂŠroce
Nevels, December | Robinson, Angela L.A.
Angela L. A. Robinson Senior, Fashion Merchandising Major
Since the age of twelve, I’ve always wanted to be a designer. I enjoyed sitting around analyzing a person’s outfit and finding new ways to manipulate the design. As time passed and I grew older, I became more and more intrigued with the fashion industry. With the desire to someday soon have a successful clothing line, it is important that I know the advantages of the business. Familiarizing myself with sustainable and ecofriendly fashions could always be a competitive advantage, as well help the health of the environments in which we live.
Inspiration: If I can just throw on a dress, I’m absolutely fine with that. But, the dress has to say something about who I am. Dresses can sometimes be, well, pretty boring. Pictured to the left and the right, you see two beautiful dresses. While they are something you just throw on, they have dramatic emphasis on design like pleats and appliques. My inspiration is comfy, quick, yet semi dramatic.
Eco-friendly fashion is simply fashion that has ecofriendly factors. This could be the use of natural fibers which are less strenuous on the environment. Sustainable fashion is reusing what’s already available to you. You might have an old dress that you no longer want. You can cut off the bottom half and just wear the top. Later, you can use the excess fabric to create something new. Either that or just go to the thrift store. In business, it is always a good thing to be socially responsible. It not only makes your company look good, but also helps for a greater cause.
I’ve always known that I enjoyed clothes and shoes since I was young girl. Walking into Neiman Marcus made my eyes light up and even being within 500ft of a mall made me giddy. I used to play dress up in my sister and mom’s closet almost every day. Instantly I felt as if I had a knack for dressing and real passion for fashion. I love fashion because it allows me to be almost anything I want to be. If I want to be girly I can throw on pearls and a floral dress or if I want to be cute and casual I can throw on a t-shirt with colored denim. Fashion has become the way I express myself and allow others into one of the many facets of me. Fashion became something that I just knew I wanted to be involved with, someway or somehow. I love fashion because it allows me to be me. Sustainable fashion is responsible and ethical fashion. It’s style with a conscious. It makes sense because we have to take care of the earth so it can take care of us. Sustainable fashion does not pollute the world nor does the manufacturing processes take advantage of the workers.
December Nevels Senior, Fashion Merchandising Major
Outfit 1 Inspiration: Romantic floral and gold embellishments make this outfit perfect for a lunch date or Sunday walk in the park. All the better- all items are eco-friendly (H&M conscious collection, vintage flats and vintage earrings) Outfit 2 Inspiration: Cool and Comfy (Levis, Toms and Nike)
Why We Won’t Buy: What They Say
Sustainable fashion and living has been on the rise for years now. Many people are making sincere efforts to design and wear ecofriendly clothing. The key to making this movement viral is making sure the most prevalent group of people are aware; students. Students tend to stay up on trends while also putting their own creative spin on things. For the most part, students are thoroughly concerned with keeping their environment lively, as it will affect them in the future. Howard University students are some of the most fashionable students on any campus and are usually down for a conscious cause. Why not be fashionable and sustainable? In a recent survey done on campus, we were able to see what exactly the students thought about Sustainable fashion. According to a survey distributed in class, students in general, did not consider their effect on the environment. Over 75% of students responded that they did “not care”. One participant made it clear that they had “way too
many other things on their mind” to be cognizant of purchasing sustainable items. However, 87% of the students reportedly recycled (old clothing, packaging etc.). Being the mini-fashion icons that they are, all of the participants listed an ecofriendly fashion company on the survey. In sum, most students did report that they did consider purchasing sustainable clothing, but are simply not conscious. It is clear that students have the desire to be sustainable, but are not aware of where to purchase the items or rather how simple it is to do so. The first key is for students to understand how and why sustainable fashion is relevant to them. Next, students should be open and knowledgeable of stores, which offer sustainable practices. Several stores that the students’ likely already shop at offer sustainable clothing or practices. H&M, The Gap and American Apparel all offer sustainable items that are in the same price range as regular items. Students should know that they could be “green” without sacrificing the glamour. Ultimately, students should understand how simple it is to be sustainable. With exams and papers to be concerned about, simplicity is essential. Awareness needs to be campus-wide so that it is on the minds of the students. As the old saying goes, “Out of sight, Out of mind”.
Classification: Senior What I’m wearing: Hot pink top (Forever21), loose fitted linen pants (thrift store), multi-colored belt (thrift store), and striped slip on shoes (thrift store). Inspiration: “I’m inspired by comfort and professionalism. I chose the loose look today because is nice for the weather, but is also taken better by people versus the tight and short look.”
Our Eco-Friendly Advice: Continue to be thrifty! It’s the “in thing” as of right now. It’s nice that the majority of your outfit comes from the thrift store! Another thing that you could always do, is wear something old that you or someone close to you already have.
Classification:
Our Eco-Friendly Advice:
Junior
Your accessories are very unique pieces! Be sure
What I’m wearing:
that you purchase more than just accessories from
Rings and a briefcase, both purchased at the thrift store.
thrift stores. You can come across a LOT of cool
Inspiration: “My accessories are inspired by the 1960s and foreign countries. I see myself as a 1960s street guy.”
items!
Classification: Senior What I’m wearing: Her outfit is all American Apparel with the exception of her shoes which are from Nordstrom.
Inspiration: "Comfy, cute and responsible fashion is my inspiration. Working at AA has changed my outlook on where I shop and what I buy."
Our Eco-Friendly Advice: American Apparel is a great selection for being ecofriendly. Even though you work there, Splurge your check at a thrift store every once in a while! You’ll get more bang for your buck! Also, try some other ecofriendly clothing lines and do some mix matching!
Classification:
Our Eco-Friendly Advice:
Sophomore
Your color coordination is extremely
What I’m wearing:
cute! Try purchasing more items from
Tan hat, orange scarf, Hunter Green blazer, white button down (with gold buttons), khaki pants (purchased from the thrift store), and orange ballerina flats.
stores that have eco-friendly initiatives
Inspiration: I”I woke up this morning and thought ‘sailor woman combination’, so that’s exactly what I decided to go with.”
intact. That way you’re being much nicer to the earth.
Classification:
Our Eco-Friendly Advice:
Senior
Definitely stick with the Levi’s brand. They have eco-
What I’m wearing:
friendly initiatives in place and so does Urban Outfitters.
Shirt is from Urban Outfitters, pants from Levi's, vintage hat.
You’re already on the road to being eco-friendly. Try
Inspiration: "I wanted a relaxed Miami vibe. I love mixing thrift pieces with new pieces."
reusing an item you already have. That way your ecofriendly and sustainable at the same time!
Eco-ally
Eco-ally
Be just as fashionable, the eco-friendly way! Join us & BRAG as we learn about helping better the world’s eco system via the way we dress. Fun activities, creative projects, and fashion forward speakers!!! If you think you’re fashionable, you might want to think again, Eco-ally Féroce of course!
Be just as fashionable, the eco-friendly way! Join us & BRAG as we learn about helping better the world’s eco system via the way we dress. Fun activities, creative projects, and fashion forward speakers!!! If you think you’re fashionable, you might want to think again, Eco-ally Féroce of course!
Interested?
Interested?
Fine Arts Rm. 2009 Sept. 6th, 2012 6pm-8pm
Fine Arts Rm. 2009 Sept 6th, 2012 6pm-8pm
Féroce
Féroce
BRAG PRESENTS:
Eco-ally Féroce
Eco-Friendly Fashion Be just as fashionable, the eco-friendly way! Join us & BRAG as we learn about helping better the world’s eco system via the way we dress. Fun activities, creative projects, and fashion forward speakers!!! If you think you’re fashionable, you might want to think again, Eco-ally Féroce of course!
1ST & 3RD THURSDAYS 6PM-8PM FINE ARTS RM 2009
Tips on How to be Eco-Friendly AND Fashionable: Take Notes! Being Sustainable and stylish is no longer a compromise. Many stores that we already shop in offer conscious clothing that is affordable and cute.
Tip #1: Research stores you already shop in to see if they already have eco initiatives in place, that way you are not changing your normal shopping rhythm.
Tip #2: Recycle your old clothes! Turn your denim pants into short-shorts for the summer or turn your old tees into cleaning rags. Don’t just throw them away.
Tip #3: Donate your old clothes and shoes to charity! If you are not one with a knack for designing or re-creating things, simply donate the clothes you no longer wear. Others may cherish what you have ceased to. You’ll feel better about it, rather than allowing junk to pile up in the back of your closet.
Tip #4: Look at the labels! The further away an item is made, the more energy wasted to transport the item (larger carbon footprint). Also, a lot of items are made in places that do not practice ethical or moral standards or working conditions. Research is important!
Tip #5: Bring on the Vintage! How cool is it to have a unique, one-of-a-kind piece? Vintage shops allow for individuality to flourish as well as eco-friendly shopping.
H&M- One of the leading retailers in the world AND they live the green life. They just recently released their spring 2012 ‘Conscious Collection’. The pricing is the same and the clothing is just as cute. (hm.com/us/)
Urban Renewal by Urban Outfitters- One-of-a-kind pieces crafted in Philly using vintage, dead stock and surplus textiles sourced from all over the world. These pieces range from dressy to casual and are available in all sizes. (urbanoutfitters.com)
American Apparel- They has been known to be conscious of the environment as well as social issues going on globally. They consistently use organic cotton in their garments as well as organic dye. The company recycles over 1 million pounds of scrap fabric annually. They also use solar paneling in the roof of their Los Angeles factory. Affordable, trendy and cute. (americanapparel.net) Levi Strauss & co. – Who doesn’t love a great pair of Levis? The brand uses organic cotton and dyes with natural indigo solvent. The buttons on the denim jeans are recycled as well as the zippers. In 2011 they began a movement called “Water< Less” which utilized a method that required less water in the washing and finishing process than the conventional method. (us.levi.com) TOMS- One of the most trendy and celebrated companies of the past few years. The company drew consumers in with a heart filled message with their One-for-One campaign- every pair of shoes purchased is matched and given to a child in need. The shoes are made from recycled products (latex arch supports, plastic bottles etc.) and they are also vegan styles! (toms.com)
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I've always been a pretty 'conscious' consumer due to the fact that my mother is very in tune with mother nature and health and wellness. She has been a vegetarian for over 20 years and she's always been adamant about taking care of the earth, naturally her practices rubbed off. Generally speaking however, I did not pay much attention to being conscious in a fashionable way. In my youth I just wanted the hottest, most trendy outfit. I had no notion of being sustainable. After doing this project, from the research to the compiling of the information I realized the importance of being a responsible consumer and shopping wisely. Now on my shopping trips, I go straight to the eco-friendly area or I double check the labels of items I am purchasing. Being involved with Fashion Fights Poverty has most definitely changed my outlook for the better. It seems almost like second nature to be fully aware of what I'm purchasing and how it can potentially affect the environment, even when it comes to the beginning stage of manufacturing. I found myself researching production shops for specific brands to make sure they are ethically producing the items and treating the workers fairly. FFP has allowed me to see beyond myself and outside of my natural realms.
I’m embarrassed to say that I was never eco-friendly when it came to fashion. Neither was I sustainable. This wasn’t because I wasn’t interested in it, I just wasn’t aware of it. Of course with time and problems that the world began to face in regards to the environment, things began to change. We see this in several aspects of businesses as they practice renewable energy, reusable items, and recycling. Never would I have thought that there was a completely different level of recycling when it came to clothing. I figured that just giving away clothes was good enough. By doing this project, I’ve learned so much! I’m actually excited about going forth practicing sustainable and eco-friendly fashion. Who knew that fashion could be more harmful to the world we live in than we thought. Taking this into consideration, we can assist with the health of the Earth by using natural fibers, sending unwanted items to thrift stores to be worn again, and using less fabric on a design. Maybe even having one piece of clothing that can be worn 31 ways! My views on fashion, as well as clothing has changed tremendously after doing research. I can, and will, actually use this information to benefit me, my business, and most importantly the Earth. It was information that I enjoyed learning.
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FASHION FIGHTS POVERTY
Eco-ally FĂŠroce
Nevels, December | Robinson, Angela L.A.