Consume information, not fast fashion

A lot of the discussions around fast fashion link back to the idea of consumption. Although it can be easy to get confused when experts throw around terms like consumer culture and overconsumption, consumption in fast fashion is actually quite simple: the more we want, the more we buy, the more is made, and then the cycle starts again. But can there be a good way to consume? Well, consuming less, and consuming better-made items is definitely a start, but I’d like to think a little more abstractly, and think about the consumption of knowledge.

Not to sound like one of your tutors, but the more we can learn, the better. There are so many sources to learn from, but it can be difficult to know where to start and who is worth listening to. It’s also easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the fast fashion problem – do we try to tackle dye pollution, garment worker exploitation, overflowing landfills? We just have to do what we can; even a little individual action from everyone can collectively make a huge difference. But where to start? How about with this list of fascinating sources.

READ

Loved Clothes Last, by Orsola de Castro.

Written by one of the founders of Fashion Revolution, Loved Clothes Last is an easy-to-read book covering pretty much every aspect of the fast fashion industry, from microplastics, to repairs, to waste. The book is broken into bitesize chunks, in which de Castro writes about the industry’s impact and her own experiences (like how she cleans her clothes to reduce the impact of her washing machine), whilst also giving advice for sustainable practices that are achievable by everyone.

Fashionopolis, by Dana Thomas.

If you’re after a bit more detail, Fashionopolis is a fascinating read. Thomas interviews fashion innovators, who are working on incredible new ways to change the industry – including pioneering new natural dyes, safer factories, and ways to move towards a circular fashion system. This is more of a specialist book, but it is filled with interesting statistics and stories.

(It’s also available as a free eBook on the NTU library!)

WATCH

Blue Planet and Blue Planet II, from Sir David Attenborough and the BBC.

The OG – if you haven’t seen Blue Planet yet, get on BBC iPlayer now! Although not fashion specific, the catastrophic damage human beings have caused to our planet, and our oceans in particular, is clearly and calmly presented in these ground-breaking documentaries. We can’t forget that fashion doesn’t exist in isolation. Overconsumption applies to all industries, and it’s undeniable that fast fashion contributes to plastic pollution due to its reliance on plastic-based synthetics. I don’t think anyone can watch these shows and not want to change the world afterwards.

LISTEN

Wardrobe Crisis, with Claire Press.

Podcasts can also be a great way to get information – in particular I recommend Wardrobe Crisis, as its huge range of experts bring such valuable and interesting discussions to each episode. Press has interviewed biologists, explorers, models, designers, activists, garment workers, professors, CEOS… everyone who is anyone in sustainability! Her frank and honest conversations with these experts are so thought-provoking and she doesn’t shy away from the difficult questions and topics. The podcast is great to listen to on the way to uni in the morning, whilst I’m working in the Bonington studios, and it even counts as research when you don’t want to pick up a book!

Information has never been easier to consume than it is today, and whilst the sheer volume of this information can be overwhelming, hopefully I’ve provided a few interesting starting points. I’d also always recommend browsing the shelves in the NTU libraries and Waterstones, going to visit fashion exhibitions in the Victoria and Albert Museum (which all have a sustainable/ethical component nowadays), and following sustainable designers and activists on social media. By learning as much as we can about fast fashion’s impact on the planet, we can be armed with the knowledge we need to change the industry for the better.

- Tegan