Slow Fashion

I didn't know what "fast fashion" was until my wife asked me to video her trying on her "haul." To be honest, I never heard of a haul before then either. I reluctanly agreed and spent the next 45 minutes recording her opening bags and bags of clothing that was shipped half way around the world. After playing videographer, I asked her how much all of that costs. For 24 garments, she spent $112. Yes one hundred and twelve American Dollars.

My curiosty struck an all time high and I began searching the Google. The results sent me down an almost never ending list of articles on the concept of fast fashion. The companies design, produce and ship thousands of new styles weekly. Most of styles are shelved after that week as the "micro-trend" may be out of style by then.

I then began question my wife... how in the world can someone/anyone design, manufactuer and ship a blouse from China to the US for $3.00. The labor alone should cost $3.00. The shipping alone has to cost $3.00. The material alone should cost more than $3.00. To add injury to insult she told me she just ordered a new swim suit for $7.00. That was my tipping point and voiced my concern. I recall saying well "she-in trouble when she wears that swimsuit in the water."

Fast fashion highlights the major issues within the fashion industry. Some of these companies are accused of using slave labor, stealing designs, and being some of the worst polluters in the industry.

When we buy clothing, we are voting with our dollars. As consumers, if we are buying things, we are voting that we agree with the process. We may not agree with the process or actions of a company or brand, but ultimatly we are supporting those actions with our purchases, my wife included.