Trends come and go, new styles adorn mannequins, desirable garments are available in mass quantities - beneath the glitz of fashion, an alarming truth often goes unnoticed: social injustice and environmental harm. In this blog, we'll delve into the hidden costs of fast fashion and how we strive to turn it around.
1. Unethical Practices
Fast fashion production often involves sweatshops, which are factories where workers are exploited and work in unsafe conditions for low wages and long hours. The industry exploits local and underserved communities to mass produce cheap garments. It employs more than 300 million people worldwide but doesn't pay living wages. In many cases, children are employed and basic human rights are violated.
Our Solution:
AELOO’s sustainable strategies create jobs, offer fair wages, flexible hours and a safe work environment while supporting equal opportunity. Every garment is made to order, crafted in collaboration with local businesses and a passionate team of style experts and eco-conscious advocates.
2. Mass Production is Mass Waste
Fast fashion fuels the “throwaway culture” - by producing clothes rapidly and inexpensively, encouraging consumers to buy more but value less. The garments are of subpar quality and discarded after a few wears, contributing to overflowing landfills and incinerators. This unsustainable cycle not only devalues the work of those who make the clothes but also pollutes the environment.
Our Solution:
AELOO epitomizes “slow fashion.” We keep our operations within the states, utilizing a made-to-order approach focusing on minimizing waste and delivering pieces of exceptional quality. Our garments are long lasting with durable fabrics such as linen, so they can be worn for a long time and passed down to the next generation.
3. Environmental Harm
Fast fashion’s carbon footprint is shockingly comparable to aviation and shipping, and is a major force driving climate change through energy-intensive processes, excessive water use, and greenhouse gas emissions. Simultaneously, the industry's toxic chemical usage in dyeing and finishing textiles poisons the environment, communities, and wildlife - posing severe health risks and contaminating our food sources.
Our Solution:
AELOO consciously designs garments with low impact that can remain in your closet for years to come. We proudly purchase materials such as eco-friendly packaging, cotton labels, pattern paper, sewing tools and materials from domestic businesses. We select fabrics with low impact (such as linen) to minimize water use and chemical waste. Along with recycling, we repurpose the majority of scraps and paper used in-house. We are working on launching a scarf collection made with repurposed quality silks! Join our mailing list for the announcements.
4. Ethical Alternatives: Paving the Path to Change
It's not all bleak news! The rise of ethical and sustainable fashion brands signifies a growing awareness of the industry's injustices and environmental impacts. By supporting brands that prioritize fair wages, safe working conditions, and environmentally friendly practices, you can contribute to positive change and help shift the industry towards a more sustainable future.
AELOO invites you to join us in the movement to challenge the harsh realities of fast fashion. Together, we can drive positive transformation and forge a path toward a brighter, more responsible fashion future.