I am not pursuing a career in fashion. The things I learned changed my mind.
Updated: Oct 29, 2022
I have a different perspective on the fashion industry.
I went to FIT for a brief period of time in 2016 and studied Accessory Design, returned to take a drawing class in 2018, worked as a model, and started working as a stylist assistant in 2018 as well.
It was an opportunity of a lifetime to attend FIT and meet such creative people from all over the world.
At first, I wanted to be a designer for a label. Then I wanted to just try different roles in the fashion industry until I found what I really liked.
But when I watched a documentary called “The True Cost”, it changed my mindset. The doc discusses several aspects of the garment industry and the fast fashion business.
In 2013, Rana Plaza, a garment factory in the Dhaka district of Bangladesh collapsed, resulting in 1,134 fatalities and 2,600 injuries.
The factory was meant to have a certain amount of floors and was ordered to create more floors, which weakened the foundation of the building. It is said that multiple workers complained about the conditions just a day before the collapse.
Even recently, reports of bad working conditions at Shein have surfaced. In 2019, The New York Times wrote an article titled Fashion Nova’s Secret: Underpaid Workers in Los Angeles.
Most of the time the clothing that is bought from such companies is made out of low-quality material, not made to last, and made with potentially hazardous fabric embedded with microplastics and other chemicals.
I knew that hazardous working conditions were a thing, but it's different when you watch a documentary for yourself and do your own research and see what is going on.
Fast fashion is doing a lot of damage.
I always loved that you can wear whatever you want and express yourself through fashion.
You can make yourself feel more confident and attractive with what you wear and how you present yourself.
But at what cost?
Not only did those garment workers at Rana Plaza lose their lives, but their concerns were also disregarded. Their pay was not sustainable, at times, they were not even paid.
When some employees, mostly female, stood up and voiced the grievances they were bullied and beaten to submission, and silenced.
I'm not trying to change the world. But I do know that knowledge is power and ever since I watched The True Cost, I have had a different perspective on the industry. We have control over what we buy and what we consume. I want to inform more people about the realities the fashion industry is facing. For anyone who loves fashion and had a deep admiration for the design process, it should be important.
Why is fast fashion harmful?
❌ Unstable buildings that are overpacked create unsafe work environments
❌ Does not exercise free trade
❌ Clothing could be made out of potentially harmful materials that include microplastics and other chemicals
❌ Promotes constant consumerism and makes you think that material items breed happiness
❌ Does not care to even be original or creative, steals from smaller designers for profit
❌ Clothes aren't made to last
❌ Not made to last, so that you keep buying
❌ Little to no resale/ thrift value
❌ Clothing ends up filling landfills, contributing to pollution in our world
❌ Creates waste and pollution
❌ Does not care about employees or you, only money
I'm not saying don't ever shop at H&M, ZARA, or PrettyLittleThing. I know it's not possible or realistic for most people. I am saying that changing the way we look at clothing should and can change.
What can you do?
☑️Buy from independent designers that handcraft their pieces
☑️Buy from second-hand thrift and consignment stores
☑️Buy what you know you will wear to reduce having clothes that will not go anywhere but the landfill
☑️Shop fast fashion for the basics (work clothes, basic tees, hoodies)
☑️Wear clothes someone gave to you
☑️Speak the truth about fast fashion
☑️Upcycle and repurpose old clothing; DIY
☑️Do research; sign petitions
I only want to create content that I know I have a genuine interest in. And fashion isn't it at the moment.
My fashion content won't stop completely, but moving forward I will focus more on lifestyle, wellness, food + beverage, and beauty content.
I changed my name on here to eat fashion because it was such a big part of my life for so long. I have done too many photo shoots to count, worked as a stylist assistant running around SoHo in cold NYC winter weather doing returns, modeled in fashion shows, attended fashion shows, and attended one of the best art/fashion schools in the world. I had such a deep passion for it. But things change, careers change, and feelings change, and that's the beauty of life.
Here are some links to learn more:
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