Page 55 - MASALA Vol 8 Issue 6 June-July 2017

Novelty
2 Try purchasing items from new brands. Do your research and nd sustainable
brands that are available locally and internationally.

3 Campaigns and Challenges
Rise to the challenge. Learn about campaigns that question the concept of
throwaway fashion. #30wears, for example, helps one re-frame shopping trips. Eco-
fashion activist Livia Firth encourages women to ask themselves every time when
they are about to buy something, “Will I wear this 30 times?” If the answer is “yes”,
then buy it. However, many will be surprised at how many times they say “no”.

Fashion Revolution and #30wears campaigns
4 Inventory
Do an inventory of your clothes to remember what you have. This exercise will keep
track of what you do not need to buy. Budget enough time to even try on items. If you
think about your pieces and pair them now, it will be easier for you to make more use of
your closet when you are in a dire rush to a dinner or event.
DIY and Creativity
5 Give old items a second life! With a dose of creativity or even assistance from Pinterest,

the options are limitless. Revive an old dress by cutting it into a crop top. Add loose bits
Men’s shirt repurposed into an of jewellery to a plain top. Utilise fabric paint and templates for a more artistic edge.
o -shoulder top Repurpose your jeans and pants by cutting them into shorts with a scalloped edge for a
new look. Add studs to T-shirts and ethnic fabric patches to jackets.

6 Recycled Plastic Bottles
Though it may still require heavy processing, various companies are now nding ways
to create polyester out of recycled plastic bottles or even recycled polyester fabric.
Recycled polyester reduces pressure on virgin resources and results in less pollution.
Brands such as Nike use 18 recycled plastic bottles to make each soccer uniform for
professionals. Quiksilver has also launched stylish board shorts derived from used
plastic bottles, while Roxy does the same with beautiful bikinis. You can’t even tell!

Old t-shirt turned into a celtic knot Try Linen
headband 7 Linen is made of the ax plant, and interestingly, the whole ax plant can be used,
leaving no waste. Flax grows naturally and requires less water and fewer pesticides
than cotton, making it one of the most eco-friendly fabrics. As it is a natural bre, ax
linen is recyclable and biodegradable. Linen also provides a coolness due to the weave
and nondense bres that allow for more air ow, making it perfect for hot weather. Other
eco-friendly fabrics include bamboo, hemp, fair trade, organic cotton and soy.
Go Faux and Alternative
8 Not only does the production of wool, leather and fur harm millions of animals every

year, it also contributes to land devastation, air pollution and water contamination.
Revive old shorts by adding Multiple brands have created innovative leather alternatives. LIAN&MÉZ, for example,
ethnic patches sells beautiful, high craftsmanship watches with straps made from the innovative
material Piñatex, made from pineapple leaf bres.

9 Upcycled Leather
“Buy less, If you still want leather, use leather goods that are repurposed. Parts of the entirety
of the old leather product can be used again for another purpose, reducing the need
choose well, to produce fresh leather pieces. For instance, TRMTAB utilises leather scraps from
factories to create unique limited edition re ned leather goods, such as bags, shoes,
wallets and holders for tech devices.
make it last.” Organic
10
Look for organic clothing — not genetically modi ed and not from plants that have been
— Vivienne Westwood radiated and treated with pesticides. Industrial cotton is the world’s dirtiest crop, and
pesticides and insecticides are known carcinogens which are cancer-causers. Protect
your health by choosing organic cotton.

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