#KILLERFASHION – STOP FASHION THAT KILLS ANIMALS
This month at Vino Supraja we’ve delivered a hard-hitting campaign; #KILLERFASHION.
Wildlife destruction is just one of the many devastating side effects of fast fashion, but it’s one of the less spoken about, with other serious issues such as pollution and exploitation typically leading the headlines. To raise awareness of the plight of wildlife in the face of consumerism, we’ve put together some our own thought-provoking headlines that we hope will make fashion lovers think twice before their next purchase.
IT’S FASHION FOR US, BUT END OF SEASON FOR ANIMALS
Fast fashion's voracious appetite for raw materials like cotton, leather, and wool fuels habitat destruction. Forests and ecosystems are razed for monoculture plantations, harming wildlife and pushing species to the brink of extinction.
Did you know that wood pulp is the base material for viscose? This silk alternative is very commonly used in fast fashion garments as it’s light and cheap. Unfortunately though, the wood pulp is often sourced from trees growing in endangered or ancient forests. This results in habitat destruction for wildlife and the problem is not getting any better. Despite everything we know about deforestation, logging for viscose is on the rise in forests in Indonesia, Canada and the Amazon.
A decrease in trees results in an increase in carbon emissions, which affects not only animals, but all of us in the form of pollution and climate change.
700 AQUATIC ANIMALS WILL GO EXTINCT, UNLESS WE ACT NOW
The creation of fast fashion is all about high turnover at low prices. Manufacturers typically rely on the use of synthetic dyes as part of this process as they’re cheaper and readily available. Synthetic dyes used in fast fashion can have significant negative impacts on the environment throughout their lifecycle, from production to disposal.
For wildlife, the biggest risk is water contamination which happens when the chemicals and dyes are released into local rivers and lakes. This type of pollution can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, harm aquatic life, and contaminate drinking water sources.
In the oceans, the huge issue of microplastics is also causing danger to aquatic creatures which ingest them. The tiny plastic fibres and particles make their way into the sea from discarded plastic waste and also from our clothes, which release microplastics every time they’re washed. We published a shocking blog post about microplastics which you can read here.
SAVE THEM FROM GOING OFF THE PLANET
When we see ‘50% OFF!’ online or in stores, or any type of discount for that matter, we’re often triggered into a spending frenzy. Retailers know this and it means that the attitude to over stocking is far more relaxed than it should be. Add a discount and stock will likely sell, and what doesn’t sell is simply tossed into landfill or incinerated.
Again, this type of wasteful behaviour is highly detrimental to wildlife. The constant demand for fast fashion items with a high number of collections being rolled out year-round means that factories are working overtime to meet consumer needs. This means more natural resources are used, more habitats are destroyed, more waterways are polluted….you get the idea!
We implore you to spend wisely. Don’t impulse buy during sales and don’t fill your wardrobe with throw away items that will last one season. We love to encourage people to adopt the 30 Wears Rule as it’s a great way to ensure that you’re spending and wearing your wardrobe in a conscious way.
FASHION THAT’S TRENDING IS ALSO THREATENING
Fashion trends come and go, but we can’t say the same thing about wildlife. Once a species goes extinct, the result is permanent.
Aside from following the 30 Wears Rule, there are so many ways you can do your part to enjoy fashion more sustainably. Check out our 5 Steps to a More Sustainable Wardrobe for some ideas you can build into your own life.
Education and sharing information plays a huge part in making a change, so please help us in our mission to spread the word about the fashion industry. Read our blogs, do your own research and tell everyone what you know. Together, we can make a huge difference for the future of our planet and its wildlife.
As a sustainable fashion brand tackling #killerfashion, we follow the best practices we can to bring you beautiful garments made with care and consideration. We’ve published the impact of our brand in our 2022 sustainability report.
TOGETHER LET'S STOP #KILLERFASHION
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