Slow Fashion Challenge 2022 recap

By taking the Slow Fashion Challenge earlier this month (May 1-14, 2022), I connected with many people actively involved and passionate about this topic, and learned about some of the issues and what can be done to at least minimize and ultimately eliminate the perils of fast fashion.

Slow Fashion Challenge 2022

Answering the prompts

There were 14 prompts for the Challenge—one for each day. As one would expect, some were easier to respond to and others required research and education. The "educational" aspect of this Challenge was one of the reasons I signed up to participate.

These samples are responses to a few of the simpler prompts (clockwise from upper left):

• Green Closet: I have a selection of me-made clothes that I wear for my job. This Bristol top was made from leftover knits from previous projects. Aiming for zero waste.
• Vintage: using vintage buttons from a resale shop on my Kangaroo Path Top
• Rework: my Tablecloth Jacket 
• Community: my Boho Wiksten top, a collaboration project with Anonymous.

Bristol Top, Kangaroo Path top, Tablecloth Jacket, Boho Wiksten top.

Being a quiltmaker, the "Scraps/Waste Reduction" prompt was easy—fabric twine, making kitty quilts, and making scrap quilts. As the scraps get smaller, the projects get smaller—EPP hexies for a needle book and my 100 Day Stitch Scroll project.

Fabric twine, kitty quilts from scraps, scrap quilt, small projects from scraps.

The more thought-provoking topics were Size Inclusive, Inclusivity, Greenwashing, and coming up with a Slow Fashion Pledge. I found more information about these topics in the following articles:

Is inclusivity part of the sustainable spectrum? by Samanta Bullock

Can we mend our relationship with repairing clothes? by Lauren Rees

Sustainable Fashion Heavyweights dive under the sheets to champion Transparency 

Topics from the Slow Fashion Challenge 2022.

The Slow Fashion community

The sponsors of the Slow Fashion Challenge were Louise Kane of ReAdorn London, Sharmon Lebby of Blessed Designs, and Amy Daileda of Vivid Element. The sponsors and other participants were very knowledgeable, supportive of each other, and offered lots of photos and information about their practices and thoughts about the issues. 

It takes a village

The problems with fast fashion are global. Recommendations from the community that every person can do to combat the issues:

• Reduce consumption. Buy less.
• Buy better. Buy quality. Buy only what you need and take care of what you buy.
• Choose natural fibers, organic, recycled and upcycled. Buy from ethical and eco conscious brands.
• Support local community artisans, tailors, and makers. Shop small, indie, local, vintage and second hand.
• Engage with brands. Ask questions. Research and learn.

From the perspective of someone in the textile industry, my suggestion would be:

• Be or become a maker! Learn mending, sewing, alterations. Make garments you love and care for them.

"The most sustainable garment is the one already in your wardrobe." 

—Orsola de Castro, Fashion Revolution co-founder
and author of "Loved Clothes Last"

Nearing the finish line of The 100 Day Project

 The finish line is in sight! There are less than 10 days remaining in The 100 Day Project. I'm happy with the progress I've made and things I've learned with my hand-carved stamp project.

Combining stamped images with watercolors.

More mixed media

I've gotten more adventurous with the stamp carving over the 90+ days and have incorporated watercolors and slow drawing with the stamping. 

Stamping combined with slow drawing using colored pink ens.

New tools and materials

From a tip from a fellow stamp carver, I got 6 or 8 rubber stamp rounds that are pre-cut, so circles are more precise. I've added the VersaFine ink pads from Tsukineko which provide good ink coverage. And I've added a few more acrylic stamp blocks to my toolbox.

Stamp mounting blocks, circle stamp blanks and new ink pads.

I have 69 hand-carved stamps. Two of them have two sides that I use, so there are 71 images.

69 hand-carved rubber stamps, 71 images.

I'll be looking back through my sketchbooks after the final day. I'm sure I'll see the evolution and improvement of the prints. I'm having a lot of fun with this practice and will likely continue after Day 100.

May is the month for Slow Fashion challenges

May 1 is the first day of the Slow Fashion Challenge 2022. The Challenge is hosted by Louise Kane of ReAdorn London, Sharmon Lebby of Blessed Designs, and Amy Daileda of Vivid Element. This is the 6th year and they've modified the Challenge—with daily prompts—to span only 14 days. 

I'm going to give it a go. 

Slow Fashion Challenge 2022 daily prompts.

Slow fashion and sustainability

In prepping for the Show Fashion Challenge, a little research revealed this information from a Slow Fashion USA social media post: 

What is slow fashion? We ask ourselves this question constantly. In 1987 the UN defined sustainable as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

It's a LOT to think about!

At a personal level

While I don't work directly in the [fast] fashion industry, I do have a role in the textile industry. On a personal level, I make some of my own garments (personal fashion). So, I have choices on what and where I source the fabrics and materials I use in my projects, and I have control over the care, use, and longevity of these items.

I hope to become more aware about the issues and goals of the Slow Fashion movement through this challenge. My initial pledge would be to slow down, make mindful purchasing decisions, buy better, and support small businesses. Through this challenge, I hope to learn more about better care methods, mending, repurposing/re-engineering garments (and fabric scraps) so I can use pieces longer before retiring them.

Me Made May

On another note, the Me-Made-May Challenge begins today as well. This Challenge is in its 13th year and it's set up with the purpose of getting better acquainted with your self-made—or "me-made"—wardrobe. If you are a maker, I think it plays perfectly with the Slow Fashion Challenge. 

Me Made May 2022

Enjoy these May activities whether you follow them or participate in them.

Fashion Revolution week: video of the Blood, Sweat & Tears collection

Have you seen photos of people holding "Who made my clothes?" and "I made your clothes" signs posted on social media sites? This is one aspect of the campaign by the global Fashion Revolution non-profit organization to bring awareness about questionable practices and unethical behaviors in the fashion industry. 

fashionrevolution.org  #whomademyclothes

Last week, April 18-24, was Fashion Revolution Week. This event is held annually around April 24, the anniversary of the deadly Rana Plaza collapse in 2013. After seeing Fashion Revolution announcements, and knowing little about it, I was interested to learn more. 

Roundtable discussion: The Other Side: Future of Ethical Fashion Manufacturing.

I caught replays of a few of the presentations but the one that stuck me the most was a roundtable discussion: The Other Side: Future of Ethical Fashion Manufacturing, hosted by Samiul Alam. Check out the video and pay particular attention to the video at the end. It's the video trailer for Samiul's graduation garment collection, called Blood, Sweat and Tears. 

Dramatic. Emotional. Powerful.