When I first started sewing it was just a big game- lots of fun with no thought. As I have moved from hobby sewer to selling my clothes there has been a big shift in attitude. One thing that has given me a strong direction is ethical and sustainable fashion.
When it came to jewellery I really avoided using new products. If I did buy sheet metal my supplier only sold 100% recycled metal. Most of my materials were found objects- old junk.
Now that I'm sewing I have found that the material found in most fabric stores (and most clothing) is having a damaging effect on the planet and many third world people.
When it came to jewellery I really avoided using new products. If I did buy sheet metal my supplier only sold 100% recycled metal. Most of my materials were found objects- old junk.
Now that I'm sewing I have found that the material found in most fabric stores (and most clothing) is having a damaging effect on the planet and many third world people.
- Over 22% of all insecticides and 11% of all pesticides are used on cotton.
- Lead, nickel and formaldehyde are common textile making chemicals
- UK alone discards over 1 million of tonnes of clothes a year
- China, India and many other countries use child and slave labor to grow and produce materials for clothing
Read more at....
and more links on my right side bar.
If you are concerned about where your food comes from then you should be equally concerned about where and how your clothes are made.
Do you you want people to die for your clothes?
*"Hey, you should have your clothes made in China." Someone actually said this to me.
(Zombie Apocalypse Coat made from old tent made with Zero-waste construction techniques)
40 comments:
You are riding the cusp of the sixth wave.
"The next wave of innovation will be driven by resource efficiency, enabled through the pricing of waste and natural resources, and turbo-charged by clean technologies." - The Sixth Wave
How to Succeed in a Resource Limited World by James Bradfield Moody and Bianca Norgrady
Kim,
Thanks for the comliment and information.
Welcome to The Sixth Wave
a book by James Bradfield Moody and Bianca Nogrady
Since the Industrial Revolution, the tide of progress has ebbed and flowed: five distinct waves, each starting with disruptive new technologies and ending with a global depression, have transformed our industries, societies and economies almost beyond recognition. We are now on the cusp of another massive transformation – the sixth wave.
In this wave a spectacular boom in technology and powerful new markets will drive a shift away from resource dependence to a new way of life: resource efficiency. Waste will be a source of opportunity and nature a source of inspiration.
THE SIXTH WAVE is a business book, a motivational book, a bold prediction and a roadmap to the future. It is for anyone interested in understanding how the next wave of innovation will change our lives, and how to succeed in a resource-limited world.
Let the new world start with us.
Unfortunate that so many people lack the understanding of many things that are wrong with current fashion - "get your clothes made in china"!!
It is refreshing to read blogs like yours; artists creating wears from reclaimed and recycled materials. Inspiring!
I like to buy things in charity shops if I can, you can often find some really good material in the form of old curtains, bedspreads etc and you get to help the charity and the environment all at the same time, although I'm a sucker for new material too! But I do try:-)
Hopefully the person who said that was kidding.
Or ignorant.
Love love the jacket.
profound message coupled with innovative and edgy creations - it gets no better... thank you for sharing them both...
your coat is beautiful. the back stitching esp, the color. Love your images, and really your design is a perfect match for a futuristic new wave, the concept fits perfectly the clothing!
you are an inspiration drug.
bravo my man. BRAVO
As always, I love your designs. I have to admit, I have not been as environmentally conscious as I should be. I'll do better.
Wow, although I knew a bit about how most cotton is grown with an abundance of pesticides, I did not realize how serious the problem is with fabric and clothes. Thank you for the enlightening post....I shall look into this issue further to become more educated. Your clothing is amazing and you are a great model!
I love what you're doing with recycled textiles. With your sustainable clothing, I know there's no greenwashing involved, although with other companies (just like with organic foods) I can't be so sure...
Love what you are doing as always!
thank you for bringing this to peoples attention.... most don't know x
Love what you do in such an artistic way with found materials. It will take the rest of my life time for me to keep changing from consumer to earth inhabitant.
My hope for the world is that we have a paradigm shift. I am sure reducing the shear numbers of humans on the plant would be beneficial.
Erica- thanks so much. I do feel more like an artist than a clothing manufacturer.
Joseph- I agree. Its a tough ride trying to balance good fabric vs second hand.
Bob. Ignorant. Thanks.
Marie- Thanks. if i can balance those two then I'm happy.
mansuetude- Thanks. Maybe this is the thin green line?
Paul- Thanks
Lee- Thanks so much. don't get me started on 'blood' feathers for millinery.
Cynthia- Thanks but I think I have only scratched the surface.
Leslie,Robyn, Amanda, Thanks so much. People are slowly learning.
I can't even begin to fathom how you are able to create such unique clothing from a tent... insanely awesome work! The detailing is superb.
Hope that sledge hammer wasn't made in China ;)
grrldog's photos are fantastic. I especially love the last shot.
Azirca, Dang....caught out!
You are totally right. When I shop for cloths I take the time to look whre they come from and I avoid H & M and such because - c'mon a shirt for 5 Dollars, it screams slavery. And your new piece - incredibly cool!
wow that's something to think about:|
not to mention all the detergents we use for washing our clothes:)) An alternative for that would be awesome...who knows? maybe we'll live to see it!
firstly people should be more careful when buying clothes and pick what they need instead of impulse buying something because it's cheap
how many cheap clothes would you swap with maybe just one well made dress?
the one who makes his clothes knows how much time is needed to make a well made cloth and also that raw materials are often more expensive than finished h&m dresses
Globalization means free circulation of goods around the world but this came before a worldwide agreement on human rights. All this intoxicated the marketplace allowing unfair competition but more important still allows slavery.
We are only going to make it, as a planet, if we change how we produce things, including fabrics.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 20,000 people die each year in developing countries as a result of the chemicals sprayed on nonorganic cotton.
Seems like everyone is on the same page here. We can make a difference. Thanks for the supportive comments.
I think it is great that you have found a way to combine great design with cool images and an ethical approach.
the apparel industry is a giant machine, it is about sales, marketing, money and over 100% markups.
the FASHION industry however isn't, its about fashion being made locally and by skilled/ well paid/ well looked after hands.
many of the worlds top designers have protocols in place about care of the environment and are aware of the effects garment manufacturing costs.
so i think the next time people whinge about fashion being too expensive and that chain stores are just as good i pity you. you pay 39.95 to destroy eco systems where you could pay $300 and put money into the pockets of some of the worlds most skilled artists.
I like to read your "manifesto" , because you are right .
Sorry it has taken a while to comment on this one- I've been a bit distracted.
I agree with madame Chic- tis a good thing you do:)
I love the jacket, its uniqueness and the fact that it has a story
Oh, Don, my heart melts and breaks at the same time reading this blog - must get hold of 'The Sixth Wave' - it sounds like the same message I've been trying to convey to friends and family for ages, Your skills with 'design for the body' are incredible- I admire your courage and ethics SO much xoxoxo
Thanks Noela, Dotty, Jenny and Seth. So nice to hear there is so much support for ethical and environmentally aware clothing.
Grant- totally agree. The more we spend on clothes the better we treat them and have respect for them. The better quality we buy the longer they last. The longer they last the less wastage we have. Is a $5 Chinese shirt going to be in a thrift shop in ten years time? In a vintage clothes shop in forty years time? Probably not.
as always I'm blown away by your skill, creativity and aesthetic.
Don, thank you for making me think. I'm very picky about what I eat~~organic, free-range, etc. I should continue that practice in my work! Love the pics~~esp. the action shot at the end of your post. Style and free movement...who could ask for more?
wo!!! yo quiero una de esas! felicitaciones!
I clearly hit to support manufactures that produce good/merchandise overseas. Even if I decide to mass produce one day, it'll be in the USA. It only makes sense. Regardless, I use a lot of jersey and I notice you do too as well. Where do you purchase your fabrics? Any tips or ideas?
kelepso via BurdaStyle
I also love your pants!
Mainlydad- thanks so much!
Chris- hope you can source some recycled metal!
Otis- muchas gracias a verificar mi tienda!
Kelepso- for the Sydney readers it's Reverse Garbage and The Fabric Cave-email me if you want more details and I am just about to order from http://ecoyarns.com.au. I'm sure there is an American counterpart selling organic cotton jersey.
Grant- Thanks- low waisted and drop crotch- kinda weird,
I agree with most comments but unfortunately buying expensive clothing (as commented by Grant) does not automatically mean they use ethical means for sourcing materials or labour. Many "designer" labels get clothing manufactured in third world countries with child labour and some even have the audacity to have tags claiming "proceeds from the purchase of these goods help children's charities". I saw this myself not two days ago.
Recently in Melbourne a sweat shop was shut down for basically slave labour making clothing. I make sure I tell people how long it takes to make something - not to impress them with my skills (because trust me it wouldn't!) but to let them think that it takes real time to make something no matter how much they pay for it.
I do love your style for men ... not that stupid "preppy" look they come out with every so often.
hi, i´ve read this post of yours with a growing smile in my face, because of the intelligent sensitvity of what you say. i´m from a quite poor 3rd world country which used to have excellent textile factories and many skillful workers working there. now not even one of those textiles is functioning. many qualified workers, specially women around 50 are now under employed, and starting their own business making clothes is really impossible, because, yes, we mostly wear the quickly-fading colours of poverty made with the hunger of china, and vietnam and pakistan workers...
Patricia, Thanks for your contributing comment. It is a tragedy that even in under- developed countries poor manufacturing is contributing to the decline of locally made goods.
Summer Flies- I tend to agree with you in some respects- we have all heard of 'green- washing' and I dare say 'ethical-washing' will be the next big thing to look out for.
There is a group- Think Before You Pink (.org)...
Think Before You Pink, a project of Breast Cancer Action, launched in 2002 in response to the growing concern about the overwhelming number of pink ribbon products and promotions on the market. The campaign calls for more transparency and accountability by companies that take part in breast cancer fundraising, and encourages consumers to ask critical questions about pink ribbon promotions.
Great to come and visit here, love ur ethos & your sculptural creations are wonderful. I am all for re-using, re-working & buying 2nd, 3rd hand.
My thoughts exactly! Zero Waste!
I'm 98 per cent confident my materials are second hand, recycled, and repurposed... but what I'm not liking so much is my rate of sewing and my abundance of personal clothing. It's feeling very consumer and 'more more more' of me at the moment to keep sewing items for myself. Anyways, I could write forever, just wanted to send a few xoxoxo in your direction, as I adore your work and haven't kept up with all this magnificent details. YAY!
Your blog is fabulous. What beauty there is in your creations. I am so happy that i stopped in today. roxanne
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