Personal Stylist, established 2013
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‘In the UK, 9,513 garments are dumped every 5 minutes; textiles are the country’s fastest-growing waste stream. Most clothing contains synthetics, and most synthetics are not biodegradable’
Thomas, Dana. Fashionopolis, 2019
A growing awareness of global warning, the harmful effects of fast fashion & over consumption have made people pause and reflect on their habits and how they choose to spend their money.
In recent years my clients have tasked me to help them make more sustainable shopping choices .
There are key things to bear in mind when considering a more sustainable wardrobe, from choosing organic & forest friendly materials to recycling & consigning unwanted clothes, to supporting British manufactures & independent brands… the list could go on.
As with everything, small steps and conscious purchasing decisions make all the difference. This is something I’m extremely passionate about and am keen to support my clients with.
At each stage of my working process I consider the environmental and ethical impacts related to the choices we make. Prior to the wardrobe review and shopping appointment I will have already implemented sustainable best practices and researched relevant brands & products that allow for more conscious decisions.
As part of my process, I prepare two detailed reports for each client. The first is post the wardrobe review which focuses on the care and repair of your clothes ensuring their longest possible lifespan. The second is after the shopping session which includes a selection of complete outfit combinations utilising existing in your wardrobe and new pieces we will have purchased together.
For each client I have a detailed photo gallery of every item in their wardrobe which means any future purchases we make together are made with the existing wardrobe in mind, so we can select seasonal pieces that will inspire whole new outfits.
“Buy less, choose well, make it last, quality over quantity”
DAME VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
I am aware that high end luxury shopping is not a viable option for all. The high street is a necessary place for many to purchase work clothes and wardrobe essentials at a fair price.
My hope is that repair, recycle, rental & exchange possibilities become more prolific which will help elongate the life cycle of each garment and keep it from reaching landfill.
With increased awareness of the ill effects of fast fashion, we can only hope that the garment workers are shown more respect by brand owners and customers, and their conditions improve.
Labour Behind the Label is a Bristol based charity campaigning for garment workers’ rights globally. Since 2017, I have made an annual donation from my personal shopping earnings to support the amazing work they do.
HW.