style Want to find out more? We suggest these resources. The True Cost - documentary film by Andrew Morgan, 2015 Where Am I Wearing? - book by Kelsey Timmerman The Business of Fashion, 2017 www.businessoffashion.com Sustainable Apparel Coalition www.apparelcoalition.org
so they don’t sit in a landfill later on
consumption worth the continuation
As a nation, we should look more
and release chemicals into the air.
of a system that is so bleak and
closely at our supply chains and move
Stop purchasing brand new clothes
hopeless for so many people?
towards equal partnerships with
every season; thrift stores and other
Something needs to change.
the communities that produce the
businesses that recycle clothing can
Looking at this from a different angle,
goods of one of our world’s largest
be gold-mines! Renee advises, “Read
Renee says, “I don’t know that I agree
industries. Brands like Columbia,
labels and ask questions. I think
with the buy cheap, sell cheap side of
Patagonia, J. Crew, L. L. Bean, and
the origin of a product’s production
fast fashion. If it’s costing them $1.30
Nike are making strides, joining
is always a great way to start that
to produce a blouse that they’re going
groups like the Sustainable Apparel
dialogue.”
to sell to you for $21 to $33 - that
Coalition. The dysfunctional system
Once I defended a purchase from
margin is anything but cheap. They
that has produced fast fashion is
fast fashion brand H&M, saying that
only have to sell a small portion of
the problem, one which can’t simply
my new $5 dress did not mean that I
anything they produce and they’re
be addressed at an individual level.
hated the planet and supported sweat
still making better margins than
As Patagonia Vice President of
shops. But is that really the point?
anyone else in the business.”
Environmental Affairs Rick Ridgeway
My argument was invalid because
As a community, we can take steps
it didn’t affect my attitude, which
towards supporting businesses
was uninformed and unimpacted.
that promote sustainable values
A documentary called The True
and thoughtfulness about clothing
Cost discusses the connectedness
production in our world. Renee
of our world and how the fashion
is passionate about sustainable
industry has impacted it. The film
fashion and encourages her
“At any given moment you have
describes how the current model of
employees to become informed about
the power to say: ‘This is not how
the industry is all about the profit,
sustainability and makes sure that
the story is going to end.’”
and does not take the true cost into
her business reflects her values. In her
Christine Mason Miller
consideration. The cost is the water
store, the racks are lined with quality
pollution, unlivable wages, factory
clothing and brands that provide
conditions that jeopardize lives daily,
solid alternatives to outsourced,
and the lack of education for the
fast fashion that lasts a hot minute.
people involved in garment-making.
Businesses like Renee’s desire a “less
Is the profit really worth these
is more” type of atmosphere and
systemic tragedies? Is our constant
emphasize quality over quantity.
believes, we need to reduce our consumption overall and change how this is done together. But before we can solve a problem, we must first admit that we have one.
Taylor Thornburg is a Lynchburg native and recent college graduate with a degree in History. Hobbies include floral arranging, oil painting, soccer, and visiting museums at any possible chance.
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