Isn't it funny how when we learn something new, it seems like everyone ought to know about our lightbulb moment? I don't necessarily mean declaring your new found knowledge to the world, but having an unspoken expectation that the people around you, especially in your field, most likely already have stumbled upon the same information.
This past weekend, Tillage had the joy and honor to be a part of our first ever trade show. It was such a learning experience. Though our initial goals were more numbers related, our takeaways were much deeper and longer lasting, like more brand aligned events to attend in the future and wonderful connections with other vendors, buyers and other guests.
However, as I sat back and observed and talked with buyers passing by, I was amazed by how much fast fashion still reins. Not only that, but perhaps only a dent in the education on what fast fashion is.
So here's a definition to lay some groundwork:
fast fashion="inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends."
Please note that no attention to the environment or the working conditions or wages paid to those workers making your clothes was given in this definition.
Another definition states that fast fashion is a "highly profitable, exploitative business model based on replicating catwalk trends and high-fashion designs...this often comes with exploiting workers who are working in inhuman conditions," Wikipedia.
Rest assured at Tillage Clothing, our original pant design was born long before the jogger trend was in full force. We created our design based off of a personal quest to find the perfect pant to provide ultimate comfort from the waste down while going about a busy day; maintaining a form that is timeless and can be worn morning to night. We were not trying to copy any latest trend or designer.
It was imperative that all of our products are made by workers getting paid a fair wage, where we are welcomed into the warehouse and the environment is clean and open. Our two current manufacturers are in the USA and do provide incredible craftsmanship with outstanding standards.
As we continue to learn and grow and design new styles, we will not compromise on these core values.
I hope this is food for thought for your future purchases. We know the temptation to buy what's trending, fast and cheap. But would you consider as what cost the price tag comes in the entire supply chain?
We will provide more articles on the topic in the months to come to increase education and awareness and try to sew threads toward a more conscious consumer and timeless wardrobe.
~written and edited by Abby Farr
*if there's a topic you'd like to learn more about, please email Abby directly at abby@tillageclothing.com, and we will try to write a blog about it soon.