THE CONSCIOUS CLOSET

Editorial research had me discovering a mind-blowing fast fashion fact. Worldwide, 87 per cent of the material used for clothing production is landfilled or incinerated after its final use, and less than one per cent of the material used to produce it is recycled to make new clothing. 

Long ago, I embraced the concept of pre-loved clothing, having authored a decade long blog on the concept of finding fashion anywhere from the Salvation Army to Saks Fifth Avenue. I enjoy clothing with a bit of character and history even though they are on a differently desired plain than my designer duds.

I fully entrenched my eco-luxury ethos into this month’s concept and discovered Good on You, the ethical fashion app that gives you the power to easily check your favourite fashion brands’ impact on the issues you care about. I have downloaded it onto my phone, and it is now the shopping companion my conscience was always looking for. Apps like Good on You and other web-based platforms are doing their bit to bring awareness to the effects of fast fashion.

From collaborating on the creation of bio fibres to the manufacturing of environmentally friendly tag fasteners, designers and tech start-ups are working to improve sustainability and interrupt the path to the landfill. Traditional and new brands are trying to improve a supply chain increasingly criticised for contributing to landfills and causing other forms of pollution throughout the manufacturing process.

Look at your wardrobe and contemplate if you actually need anything. If so, consider if you could curate this at a fraction of the funds and footprint by purchasing recycled or pre-loved clothing. I encourage everyone to slow down and wear the change they want to be by investing in forever pieces that are new to you and better for Mother Earth.

For couture this month, we have stayed on theme and, in an editorial collaboration, selected local, ethically produced, and mindful pieces. These pieces represent the collective conscience movement that is trending now and, hopefully, forever.

Kia’s Couture picks for April are here.