The Toxicity of Fast Fashion

We've written a lot about the environmental and social impact of fashion. We've talked about unsafe working conditions, synthetic fibres and the benefits of local production. We've brushed past low-impact dye practices and toxic textile applications. Until now.

In July 2011, Greenpeace launched Detox. Now, it is powered by over half a million people who are demanding toxic free fashion and clean water. So far, eighteen global apparel labels have signed on, such as Nike, H&M and Levi's. To make all the information completely painless to take in, Greenpeace has produced a video explaining the objectives of their program, and the facts that led to the creation of Detox. So rather than go on and on about how integral it is for us to find a solution to the ecological disaster fashion is creating, I will let the educational video do the talking. Take a look -

For the full list of fashion companies that have signed on to Detox Fashion Manifesto, check out the Detox page on the Greenpeace website here.

Hope this give you lots to think about, especially the next time you head out on a shopping trip. The best consumer is an educated one!

- Kim

Let The Debate Begin...

If you are a follower of Fair JAKE then you know that although we have a lot to say about everything, we are definitely not social media butterflies. We do our best to inform our readers of important, hot topics and things that interest us but we are still new to the twitter world and like media spotlights.

Yesterday I was thinking about what to write for today’s post and I came across this great twitter feed by Conde Nast College of Fashion and Design.

Conde Nast only opended in April 2013 but as it is owned by Advance Publications, Inc., one of the largest privately owned media and communications companies in the world, it is making huge strides in the fashion industry already.

The twitter feed, which was a debate open to anyone to join in, was “What duty, if any, does the fashion industry have to challenge stereotypes of all kinds?"

I found it refreshing to see twitter used in such a way and couldn’t wait to read the debate. One of the most interesting responses was by Rachana Bhide‏@RachanaBhide

“I think it is more realistic to expect tools like social media ("real people" adopting & pushing fashion) to debunk stereotypes.#CNCollege”

There are definitely  those that wear what they want and push boundaries, but there are also those that think they are being different and unique but in reality are almost creating stereotypes because they are conforming so much. For example, “The Hipster” movement. My boyfriend went to a party about 6 months ago, right at the beginning of the summer and he sat there for an hour mingling with all sorts, all explaining how they are tired of “the norm” and describing all the ways they are unique and better for it, but as an outsider all he saw was a room crowded with stinky, similarly dressed people all drinking PBR’s and right there he made a generalization.

Although people need to start taking responsibility for our role in social and environmental change, it is unjust to say that the fashion industry has no duty in challenging stereotypes. Social media is not only a way for us “real people” to express ourselves but it is a powerful way for the industry to express its opinions and now more than ever the industry needs to not only be aware of that but step up and start proving that we care more about human society than just what colour is on trend this fall.

I know that companies and organizations use twitter, instagram, etc. to reach people and inform their target markets, so I hope that I continue to read posts like yesterday’s from @CNCollege and I look forward to joining the debate.

Murder Mystery Night

With Halloween only one day behind us I am sure most retailers are starting their Christmas preparations; however, some of us are still trying to take in the spooky and haunting Halloween spirit for one last weekend. I am sure if you didn’t get out last weekend you have been plotting your outings for the next two nights. We at Fair JAKE are going all in and participating in a MURDER MYSTERY party. Kim is the master mind behind the whole thing and I am going to show up with full intentions of solving the whole thing!

I have never participated in a murder mystery before but I am excited to see how it all unwinds! I also think it is a great way to meet new people or to get to see a different side of those you already know.

We get so used to doing the same thing all the time or seeing the same people because as young adults, starting our careers and figuring out our lives, it can get pretty hectic so we get stuck in these routines and now and again it is a good idea to break the cycle! Sure we are doing this because it is Halloween..or close to it… and we thought it would be fun but I think the bigger picture hear is to every so often try and get outside your box. I know I am definitely going to be way out of my comfort zone tonight pretending to be “One-Eyed Wanda” but with some liquid courage and a kick ass costume I am guaranteed to have a good time.

Next time you have a free weekend coming up, think about what you could do to try something new, whether it is a bus ride down to Seattle or Portland (See Kim’s Tuesday post last week) or organizing a get together at home, ask yourself how you can push your boundaries a little and you might surprise yourself.

-Alex

(a.k.a. One-Eyed Wanda)