Fashion Challenge for 2016

I watched this great documentary on Netflix called The True Cost. It's about the global impact of the fashion industry from start to finish. It touches on the economic effects, environmental effects, as well as the effects on humanity.

I have been aware of a lot of these issues since I started school in the fashion field. As I have pursued being a designer and having a brand it has been important to me to have integrity throughout the entire manufacturing process. I have used recycled or organic materials, sourced a factory in the US and hired local seamstresses.

One thing that stood out to me in the documentary was the amount of consumption and waste of textiles on the US. Each American generates about 80 LBS of textile waste a year that will sit in landfills for OVER 200 YEARS!

Then I had an idea. Can I go an entire year without buying any new clothes? Can I use what I have and repurpose it to fit my needs? And not just me, but my entire household! It would be easier for me and my husband, we have established wardrobes, but my toddler is growing and wouldn't have anything once she grows out of what she currently has. Well, luckily for me I have a fabric hoarding problem. (about 10 years of leftovers from various projects adds up!)

So I am taking on a Fashion Challenge! No new clothes purchased. Only re-purposed or sewn from what is in my house RIGHT NOW.

This is a (some what drastic) effort to live more simply, consume less, and waste less! This is just the start. Beyond this challenge I want to be more conscious with where my money goes. I would rather have less clothes that I spend more money on that I know where made ethically, than too many "disposable" clothes that have caused a harmful effect.

I can not encourage you enough to go watch this documentary. Fast fashion is having a drastic and negative effect on the global economy. 97% of clothing sold in the US is outsourced to developing countries. While providing jobs in developing countries is great, the way that it is happening now is not ok. Working conditions for factory workers need to be safe and fair. We need to change the way we shop. Consumers have power! Where you spend your money is important!

If anyone would like to follow or join me on my fashion challenge use tag #fashionchallenge2016

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