Today, Ethical Style Ambassador Jordan is sharing her thoughts on Responsible Fashion:
A few blogs back Jen shared some of her reflections around the documentary True Cost. I first saw the film when it came to Austin earlier this year. It was nothing short of a moment of awakening for me.
I grew up admiring my grandmother who never left the house without being fully put together. According to her, our shoes and purses must always coordinate (in line with the appropriate seasonal colors, of course…white after Labor Day was strictly forbidden), clothes were always pressed and a little mascara never hurt. I say this with the utmost affection. I adored watching her arrive dressed to the nines no matter the occasion.
I certainly inherited her love of fashion. However, just moments into True Cost my entire love affair with fashion was shattered. The exploitation of people, the degradation of the land, and the emptiness caused by our hyper-consumption was more than enough to break my heart.
I was once told “sometimes you have to have your heart broken in order for the light to shine through.”
Through this brokenness I’ve discovered an entirely new approach to fashion; fashion that is fair and sustainable. Serving as a P&C Ethical Style Ambassador is a new dream come true.
Highlighted throughout True Cost was box store H&M. Although they have a long way to go to reduce their complicity in the exploitation of others and the land, we have exciting news to share!
H&M has launched the first global garment collection initiative! From their website “Of the thousands of tons of textiles thrown away every year, 95% could be re-worn or recycled.” They’re working to not let fashion go to waste.
Here are three ways H&M intends repurpose the unwanted garments:
- Re-wear – clothing that can be worn again will be sold as second hand clothes
- Reuse – old clothes and textiles will be turned into other products, such as cleaning cloths
- Recycle – everything else is turned into textile fibres, or other use such as insulation.
To read the full announcement, click here: http://about.hm.com/en/About/sustainability/commitments/reduce-waste/garment-collecting.html
Tossing recyclable garments takes its toll on our environment. The chemicals used throughout the production process have the potential to contaminate the soil and groundwater. The need to create new pieces from scratch puts pressure on cotton farmers and the harvesting cycles. To learn more, we strongly recommend you watch True Cost.
P&C partners with artisans in Guatemala that recycle huipile textiles made from Mayan blouses to create these gorgeous Overnighters! Grab the last one before they’re all gone!