{"id":189589,"date":"2021-12-07T10:39:29","date_gmt":"2021-12-07T10:39:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theindustry.fashion\/?p=189589"},"modified":"2021-12-08T10:39:54","modified_gmt":"2021-12-08T10:39:54","slug":"andrew-thompson-on-fashioning-through-staples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theindustry.fashion\/andrew-thompson-on-fashioning-through-staples\/","title":{"rendered":"Andrew Thompson on... Fashioning through staples"},"content":{"rendered":"
In a world where making money is the main focus and where fast fashion has fuelled overconsumption for the past few decades, are we reaching a threshold where companies are now taking a much more holistic view of responsible manufacturing,<\/strong> supply chain integrity and even in some cases transitioning to renewable energy?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe need to get back to things like slow food and slow fashion. It\u2019s happening, but it needs to influence far more to value things rather than a have a throwaway society \u201c<\/p>\n Mary Robinson 2019 for Made Thought<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Personally, I\u2019ve always lent towards brands with slower manufacturing processes<\/strong> using the best materials with a distinct attention to detail in product creation. I do also like the idea of finding beauty in something maturing in age and forming an emotional appreciation and connection.<\/p>\n Obviously, if we all made more considered purchases that are viewed as being staples in higher quality materials and well produced, this is additive. Thrifting and upcycling have shed previous stigmas and are rapidly growing in popularity. The need for buying less advocates new habits and has evolved creative thought process in product creation, perhaps even considering breaking free from the constraints of seasons, gender and product adaptability. Yet despite a bleak picture there are some great examples of different brands changing the narrative to being more responsible.<\/strong><\/p>\n Orba, a New Zealand based brand is tackling the global footwear industry reliance on harmful synthetic with is first ever biodegradable Sneaker (main image above). The shoe is made up of natural materials and boasts 93%\u00a0 plant based ingredients<\/strong> such as natural rubber, rice husk ash and coconut oil. The upper is rather unique using three renewable plant materials which are flax canvas, hemp and nettle. At the end of life the shoes can be returned to the brand and they put them in a micro-organism rich environment to naturally biodegrade. These sneakers are gender neutral clean essentials that tackle the issue of pre and post retail waste.<\/p>\n We could also look at the notion of fashion being timeless, durable and fit for purpose. For example, Australian workwear boot brand Blundstones, who have been making products for 150 years, are also turning their eye to more sustainable practices. After a four year development plan they have just launched a vegan Chelsea boot in antibacterial microfibre developed by Group Mor\u00f3n.<\/strong><\/p>\n