The Future of Fashion: Earth Day, Fash Rev, True Cost 

It feels like divine momentum that Earth Day and Fash Rev Day are only 24 hrs apart. A multitude of good can spring from even the most dire circumstances — so how can we best harness the energy of change?By becoming it, Baby. As individuals, we can consciously decide what we allow into our space; we can vote with our $, supporting what we value & want to see flourish; we can stand up for the beauty of both our planet & our very own; we can take charge of what is being produced because we demand what we desire. Take today as the bouncing-off place into a brighter present, and ask #WhoMadeMyClothes?The future of fashion is in our hands (and hearts, hopefully). It’s beautiful to witness the change in culture that’s being created by conscious companies and individuals alike. Looking for organic materials? There’s a filter for that. Want vegan couture? There’s a badge for that. Love made in the USA? It’s right here for you. Fair-trade? Sustainable? Recycled? Artisan-crafted? All at your finger tips thanks to prescient people who know that sustainability in its manifold expressions is the currency of the future.On Earth Day, a panel of fashionable movers & shakers hosted by Amanda Cole discussed the state of the fashion industry. « Only in fashion is the idea that you get rid of it after three uses, » says David Dietz, founder of Modavanti. This wastefulness and disregard for oneself and the planet is at the core of the fashion catastrophe. « There are more slaves today than at any point in history, » states Ben Skinner of Tau Investment. « And guess what, we’re buying what they’re producing. » From the mud, beauty is emerging, though. What I had felt subconsciously for a while rang true when pronounced: New luxury is value-based. « Not everybody wants to be the next Valentino, » Sass Brown of EcoFashion Talk says. « There’s a shift in what people value in their lives. » And make no mistake, doing good and doing well can be a stylish pair.Since we get dressed (most) every day, every fresh sunrise presents the opportunity to feel good and make a choice. Personally, I find it funny that while all of my food choices and beauty care are organic, green, and glorious, my wardrobe isn’t. There’s a lag in the fashion industry regarding sustainability, style, and availability. We’re getting there, for sure, but it’ll take more than my desire to see organic cotton tees become part of the permanent collections at global chains. If you demand quality, you’ll create a bigger market for quality products. And wouldn’t you treasure one well-made piece way more than three throw-away things? (Your closet will thank you too).During the panel on Earth Day I got to meet Andrew Morgan, the immensely kind and smart director of The True Cost. His documentary, which debuts in NYC on 5/28 and will be available globally the next day, highlights the blinding contrast between the tricky triangle of the glamorous fashion set, the reality of the garment workers, and the fashion clients who (for the most part) really are consumers at this point. The movie’s not a downer trying to induce pity and guilt; rather, The True Cost intends to draw attention to the current practices of the fashion industry so that we as creators and clients can bring about positive change. Executive-produced by Livia and Colin Firth and spear-headed by Andrew and his team, this clear-eyed documentary inspires us to take a closer look at what we wear. « Maybe the whole story line of clothing needs to be reinvented, » Morgan shares. « We have to take this story, » he

Source : The Future of Fashion: Earth Day, Fash Rev, True Cost | Miriam Ava