fashion industry are trying to work in a way that stops that fast fashion and they produce clothing that people are happy to wear over and over again.” So having teachers that understand the effect of fast fashion is surely helping to make a change. How can people ensure that the brands they’re buying from are sustainable? Carla has a good point when she says, “These fast fashion companies are not going to advertise so it’s something as individuals we have to research ourselves.” She adds, “ It’s quite new to the industry and there are some famous fashion designers out there that are trying to make a differ - ence.” But what about people like us? She agrees it’s difficult for us to start making a difference but hopefully with awareness and a top down campaign things will start to change. Whose responsibility is it to ensure that fashion is sustainable? “It’s everyones isn’t it. You and I, people that work in the industry, famous fashion designers, it’s every- body isn’t it. But as individuals we can change our buying habits and we can be more careful about the kind of clothes we buy, what they’re made of. There’s lots of people out there upcycling clothes, remaking clothes from old clothes they’ve already got. There’s lots of things we can do though isn’t there.” Do you think ethical clothing will ever out-compete mainstream less ethical products? “Think it’s a tough one isn’t it because it depends how innovative and creative the designers can be to make the clothes interesting that people want to wear them. That’s the biggest battle isn’t it. It’s saying be sustainable and try and encourage people to rewear garments. And are those garments neces- sarily gonna be dramatic and really attractive.” So I hope that by tackling this thorny issue of fast fashion by getting the thoughts and views of HSDC students and staff involved in the industry, you now have a better idea of the problem we face and how we could possibly start to address it. Finally, I’ll end with a few tips from the fashion stu - dents to help you get started on the path to sustain- ability: - Sell your clothes or donate them - Refuse to buy from unethical stores/ don’t spend excess amounts on fast fashion - Shop second hand using brands like depop and charity shops By using these tips, the world has a chance to be - come ethical and sustainable like it once was.
Photograph by The Donkey Sanctuary
Photograph by Sustainable Initiative Fun Trust
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