Slow fashion

The slow fashion movement was started in 2007 by Kate Fletcher, an English activist, writer, designer and professor of sustainability. In an article for The Ecologist, she wrote: „ Slow fashion is about designing, producing, consuming and living better. Slow fashion is not time-based but quality-based (which has some time components). Slow is not the opposite of fast – there is no dualism – but a different approach in which designers, buyers, retailers, and consumers are more aware of the impacts of products on workers, communities, and ecosystems”[1].

Nevertheless, this concept was significantly influenced by an accident at a textile factory in Bangladesh in 2013. The building, which did not meet basic safety rules, collapsed on thousands of workers who had previously reported poor conditions in their workplaces. It was this event that sparked a debate about all the negative social and environmental aspects of fast fashion and brought attention to alternative slow fashion[2].

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/TS–uNw-JqE

Slow fashion is the antithesis of fast fashion. A term describing a sustainable and conscious approach to fashion production and consumption. It is a movement in textiles and clothing industry that respects the well-being of the people making our clothes, their impact on the environment and the planet as a whole. Clothes are mostly made of eco-friendly and even recycled materials. Clothing is generally more durable and of higher quality. Environmentally friendly production is also taken into account.

Slow Fashion values high quality materials and environmentally friendly production. Such products are usually made from natural fibres such as cotton, and are often made by local manufacturers to shorten the supply chain. Local partners offer much better wages and working conditions for their workers than factories in developing countries.

Slow Fashion is gaining people’s attention thanks to the growing awareness of the fashion industry’s influence. An important part of this is a change in the climate: more and more brands are emerging to adopt the Slow Fashion approach. The value placed on garments made to a high standard will last a very long time and will not lose shape or colour after a few washes[3]. Moreover, slow fashion, like ethical and sustainable fashion, or conscious fashion, is about promoting sustainable sourcing of materials, fair production of quality clothing and more responsible consumption.

Slow fashion is of paramount importance today to minimize the amount of water and energy used during the average life cycle of a garment, from sourcing raw materials and production to distribution, consumption and disposal. It is also important to reduce plastic waste by using recycled or biodegradable packaging materials. The production of synthetic fabrics and the transportation of goods from manufacturers to customers results in excessive plastic waste. Many garment manufacturing processes are very harmful to the environment. Most fabric manufacturing procedures such as bleaching, dyeing and treatments are highly toxic[4].

Framework model for the slow – fashion process

Source: own compilation based on: http://repository.ubaya.ac.id/36242/1/Tenun%20Sesek%20_N%20Juniati%2C%20revised_%20INCITE.pdf

Examples of key slow fashion philosophies include:

• Moving from quantity to quality, both in production and consumption. This does not mean continuous growth or the accumulation of more.

• Production that is environmentally friendly, incorporating low-waste processes and avoiding harmful chemicals.

• Provide employees with decent wages and healthy working conditions.
• Production of collections in small batches or on an advance sale basis to avoid unsold inventory.
• A simple supply chain in which raw materials and labour are not dispersed around the world. Uses local materials as well as employs local labour.

Transparency and integrity in supply chain and practices[5].

[1] Panaprium “An Introduction To Slow Fashion And Why It Matters” https://www.panaprium.com/blogs/i/introduction-slow-fashion

[2] The eco hub “What Is Slow Fashion & Why You Should Join The Movement?”  https://theecohub.com/what-is-slow-fashion/

[3] Sanvt “Fast Fashion vs. Slow Fashion” https://sanvt.com/blogs/journal/fast-fashion-vs-slow-fashion

[4] Panaprium  “An Introduction To Slow Fashion And Why It Matters” https://www.panaprium.com/blogs/i/introduction-slow-fashion

[5] Earth org “What Is Slow Fashion and How Can You Join the Movement?” https://earth.org/what-is-slow-fashion/