A Challenge to Be Met: Take the Stage
When our team was asked to do a TEDtalk presentation we were all taken aback, had a severe case of stage fright, and spent days wondering how to construct it. In the end, as it usually happens, intuition won over planning, and we decided to follow our heart as to how we were meant to go about this. Playful tone, quick paced, interesting, informative. That’s all we knew we wanted our presentation to be, so we set out to gathering the appropriate information.
Now, as we all know, the industry of fast fashion does not qualify for a pleasant topic of conversation, so we had to sit down and think how to make the unpleasantness of its socio-ecologic impact into something that could both entertain and inform. The answer was clear: while we had to make sure its cruelty and wrongdoings had to be brought to light, they would need to be counter-measured with mentions of ethical alternatives, brands and shops alike, to shed some hope for the fashion landscape.
Fast fashion may, at first glance, seem like a great idea, but it appears that in recent years we have crossed the line from need to excessive consumption. The industry needs to be held accountable for their use of unsustainable materials, as well as for the inhumane conditions in which they force their employees to work. We need to ask ourselves if our clothes are worth this.
The ethical alternatives vary. For the convenience of our audience and readers, we decided to narrow them down to Greece, as it would make it easier for the consumer to get their hands on ethical goods cheap, easy and fast. One of said variants is thrift shopping. Buying second-hand significantly reduces one’s environmental footprint. It’s also very easy, since there are many thrift shops around Athens, such as the Kilo Shop, Get In, American Market etc. Another alternative is ethical brands. It was crucial for our team to help the consumer understand how to locate brands like that and not fall victim to the green-washing phenomenon. Green-washing refers to the use of ethically sourced materials by fast fashion chains for a limited portion of their collections. Usually, the information on a brand’s website can tell you whether it’s ethical or not. Additionally, in the rare case that the brand does not provide such information, we advise the shopper to e-mail the shop and ask the necessary questions. In most cases, stores will be happy to satisfy your curiosity. Another place to look for ethically produced clothing and accessories is Instagram, where a lot of small shops operate on a personal level, with hand-made or modified items. All in all, give it some time and do your research. Solutions are everywhere.
In conclusion, we wanted to make the experience about the audience, to show them how switching to ethical fashion was not only necessary for the wellbeing of the environment and the rights of the workers in the garment industry, but how it could be convenient and fun, unique and satisfying.
The rest of the team: Hara Papadatou, Glykeria Mirka Savvaidi
Where to find us: Instagram / Website
Sources:
Vogue, “6 Ways To Be Greenwashing Vigilant” by Emily Chan, 12 February 2020
Human Rights Pulse, “The Often Over-looked Relationship Between Fast Fashion and The Environment” by Rhiannon Smith, 3 January 2021
UAB Institute for Humans Rights Blog, “Fast-Fashion: Unethical and Unsustainable” by Lindsey Reid April 26 2018
