What is fast-fashion?
You may have heard the term "fast-fashion," but what does that actually refer to? Fast fashion involves the rapid production of clothing items for fast-fashion brands like Zara, H&M, and Forever 21, who would restock new clothing shipments on a weekly basis for the purposes of keeping up with new trends.
Why is fast-fashion not the greatest thing in the world?
The speed at which products are in demand means that the quality of items produced is comparatively poorer than a clothing item made artisanally. Yet, the rapid production of low-quality products allows fast-fashion brands to competitively price their clothes. As a result, the factory workers who make those clothing items are not hired domestically, but overseas, where companies can maximize productivity and profit by using the cheapest possible labor available to them. Factory laborers for fast-fashion companies are paid below a living wage and are often working in devastating conditions-- therefore fast-fashion brands violate human rights for their profit. Not only that, "the fashion industry is responsible for 10 % of annual global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. At this pace, the fashion industry's greenhouse gas emissions will surge more than 50 % by 2030." In total, about 85% of clothing produced by fast fashion companies end up in the dump. When you buy cheap clothing in 2020, it does come at a huge price-- when this was not the case even 70 years ago.
Why shop ethically?
In order to reduce the demand for fast-fashion, as well as reduce the amount of textile waste going into the earth, it may be a good idea to shop sustainably. Sustainable and fair-trade clothing is produced using materials that are not scarce or pollutants, while fair-trade means that the workers receive a living wage.
What is slow fashion?
Slow fashion refers to clothing that is not made in a rapid production cycle, but with a rather slow one-- generally producing less than 5 collections each year. If you think about it, clothing is not easy to make by hand, and historically people didn't buy mass-produced, one-size-fits-all, low-quality clothing, so slow fashion is really the historical precedent for fashion. Slow fashion also follows basic fashion or high fashion, whereas fast-fashion seeks to capitalize off of the current trends. Yet, shopping slow-fashion clothes is not the easiest-- for one thing, fast-fashion is marketed towards those who usually cannot afford high-quality clothing items. However, slow-fashion is usually of better quality, lasts longer, and is socially acceptable to wear in a couple of years. The benefits of shopping slow-fashion outweigh the affordability of fast-fashion-- morally, practically, and stylishly.
What is a capsule wardrobe and what are the benefits?
As an alternative to shopping fast-fashion, many people are building their own capsule wardrobe. The concept behind a capsule wardrobe is that one only needs a few very basic clothing items that can all be paired with each other-- generally, this involves choosing a particular color palette/vibe for your wardrobe. These basic clothing items are the foundation of the capsule wardrobe, but once the basics have been collected, you are free to buy bold or statement pieces, and coordinate your outfits to contain basic elements with a pop using the statement piece. In effect, the number of unnecessary clothing items owned is reduced, trends are not prioritized, and there is less environmental waste going around.
Here is a list of a few clothing brands and boutiques based in New York City-- each with a unique vision, atmosphere, and mission. All of the following labels produce their merchandise by minimizing waste as much as possible, as well as by paying their collaborators fair wages.
Makoma
Translating to "my heart," the goal of the Makoma brand is to produce ethically-made clothing that celebrates the African diaspora. With one-of-a-kind items, the Brooklyn-based brand produces the highest-quality craftsmanship in their patterns inspired by various African
The goal is to create one-of-a-kind, contemporary designs using a combination of African prints and classic silhouettes. The highest-quality craftsmanship and authentic styles that are comfortable. All ethically made, and you can only find them on this site or at our once-a-month pop-up shops.
I would recommend this brand for people seeking unique, one-of-a-kind, handmade clothing with African patterns. Using vibrant colors and shapes, the Makoma brand embodies a playful vibe with its patterned clothing. The contrast between the sophisticated cuts and the eye-catching patterns is so sick.
Summary:
Best for: African-inspired patterned clothing
Brand's price range: $100-$250
Basics or Statements: Statements
Specialization: Jumpsuits, dresses, ponchos, recyclable parkas
Petite Studio
Mostly made for people with petite bodies, Petite Studio effectively curates a cute and simple capsule wardrobe, sprinkling in plenty of bold pieces within the mix. All of their garments are produced in a single factory located in Jiangshan, China, the hometown of the brand's founder. According to their website, their employees-- almost all of whom have been working for the duration of the brand's existence--work 40 hours per week (including lunch breaks), receive health care and vacation time, and are permitted to take a 30-minute nap daily. Regarding the ethics of their production, petit studio writes:
We engage in smaller, smarter production runs, creating small batches of only what we need, with less excess stock. We aim to waste as little material as possible, and repurpose it whenever we can, creating scrunchies, scarves and other accessories from fabric scraps that would otherwise be discarded.
I would recommend this brand for my fellow petites who have a wardrobe with mostly pastels/muted earth tones. With a cutesy as well as a business casual vibe, this brand has an impressive variety of items on the catalog. They also have super cool and uniquely designed outerwear that would look adorable on anybody.
Summary:
Best for: Business casual, soft academia
Brand's price range: $10-$400
Basics or Statements: Both!
Specialization: Sweaters/outerwear, trousers, accessories (hats, handbags, scrunchies, jewelry, face masks)
Behna NYC
"Behn" translates to sister in Hindi. Behno NYC prioritizes their six foundational principles: health, garment worker mobility, family planning, women's rights, worker satisfaction/benefits, and eco-consciousness. Their factory workers are based in Nashik, India, with an emphasis on reducing the factory's carbon footprint and ensuring fair working conditions and wages. Behno also collaborates with artisans in Varanasi, Mumbai, as well as with the National Down Syndrome Society in the United States, guaranteeing fair trade for all of their merchandise. On their site, they write:
Our mission is to redefine and bring sharp awareness to sustainability and ethics to fashion....The Behno standard was built bottom-up, ensuring garment workers and artisans were at the center of conversation
The brand mainly produces luxury-standard bags that are ethically sourced. Handbags are made to be high-quality staples for outfits, as well as coming in bold statement pieces with innovative and fun silhouettes.
I would recommend this brand for those looking for an alternative to designer handbags/wallets. Although technically all luxury handbags are sustainable-- as long as they are donated or sold instead of thrown out-- most designer handbags, despite their hefty tags, are not produced using ethical practices. The price of Behno's bags is comparable to some designer brands, but their products are produced ethically and are made to be more timeless rather than trendy. Hence, they won't need to be thrown out after a single season.
Summary:
Best for: Business casual
Brand's price range: $100-$700
Basics or Statements: Basics
Specialization: Handbags, face masks
Lolo NYC
Based in Brooklyn, this brilliant brand is incredibly artistic, selling artworks, home decor, games, and stationery as well as apparel. By putting a spotlight on local artists that partner with the label, Lolo NYC is able to produce their wide range of products. While they had to temporarily close the physical shop due to COVID, the retailer is reopening in Spring 2020 at Hoyt Street.
We focus on hand-made and thoughtfully designed pieces by emerging artists and designers. Nearly all of our inventory is by female identifying makers and/or majority women-owned businesses, but we welcome all folks and all genders to the roster and in the space.
I would recommend this brand for the eccentric soul and for those who love some color in their wardrobe.
Summary:
Best for: Colorful funky/trendy, vibrant vintage,
Brand's price range: $10-$400
Basics or Statements: Both!
Specialization: Clothing, Homewares, Accessories
Style is Freedom
Established in 2008, this Black- & LGBT-owned business has an overall motif of "tomboi." The founder, Toni Morrison, sought to create a brand that would cater to women/non-binary people who present masculinely, with the overall purpose of creating genderless clothing. Made from premium fabrics, Style is Freedom produces 2-3 collections every year, aiming to produce as little waste as possible for clothing meant to last a very long time.
When we made or first t-shirt in 2010, we created that shirt with the promise to always put quality first and provide all of our customers with a product that would last a lifetime! From our garments, to our hats and accessories, we aim to always give you the best quality product available with a satisfaction guarantee
I would recommend this brand for my fellow petites who have a wardrobe with mostly pastels/muted earth tones. With a cutesy as well as a business casual vibe, this brand has an impressive variety of items on the catalog. They also have super cool and uniquely designed outerwear that would look adorable on anybody.
Summary:
Best for: Streetwear
Brand's price range: $20-$400
Basics or Statements: Both!
Specialization: Shirts, hoodies, hats (snapbacks, bucket hats), face masks
Study NY
Predictably based in New York, Study NY prioritizes responsible fabrics, ethical production, zero waste, and slow fashion. Domestically based, they use ethical fabrics/production methods to create muted, modern looks.
We maintain a transparent supply chain for every step of our products' journey. From field to cutting table, every part of a garment's process is carefully examined and controlled to be socially and environmentally conscious. We support sustainable techniques to better the fashion industry and the world.
I would recommend this brand for someone creating a capsule wardrobe, or just generally seeking to expand their basics section of their wardrobe. This brand only produces a few items per collection-- hence the term "slow fashion." Although it is a bit pricey, the apparel is made to last and created with the purpose of being worn for life if one wishes. All of Study NY's clothing items are made with a neutral color palette-- mostly whites, greys, and browns-- making them all match with literally anything else in your closet.
Summary:
Best for: Business casual, academia
Brand's price range: $100-$400
Basics or Statements: Basics
Specialization: Neutral shirts/pants/dresses, draping/loose silhouettes
TIER
With the goal of highlighting the intersection between art, design, and community, TIER is an independent brand that collaborates with artists to create clothing that is equally as drippy as it is artistic. They produce projects (full-length collections inspired by cultural, social, or personal moments), mini-projects (one-off items or Capsule collections based on random inspiration and ideas), and collaborative projects (community or collaborative product and events with like-minded brands, organizations, creatives, and artists).
The objective and motivation behind TIER is to be a global and sustainable creative-fashion label that people, through the lens of their own, genuinely enjoy and connect with, while also providing inspiration, experiences and opportunities for creatives and entrepreneurs alike.
I would recommend this brand for those seeking to follow the current streetwear trends. With logoed shirts/hoodies, unique patterned coats, and a variety of color-coordinated sets, TIER effectively encapsulates New York style and New York culture in the clothing.
Summary:
Best for: Streetwear
Brand's price range: $35-$450
Basics or Statements: Both!
Specialization: Sweatpant sets, hoodies, socks, corduroy sets (pants/jackets), bucket hats, outerwear
SiiZU
Partnered with American Forest to Plant, this brand is one of the most affordable yet high-quality brands on the list. Produced using exclusively 100% organic and eco-friendly fabrics, Siizu's clothing is made with the purpose of minimizing waste and using sustainable material. They transparently list all their manufacturers on their website, citing the exact items produced by each source.
When deciding on our manufacturing logistics, our sourcing team intentionally keep the fabric manufacturers and garment factories close to each other in order to minimize the carbon footprint from shipping our materials. Our merino wool and cashmere sweaters are all sourced and manufactured within Inner Mongolia, while our silk dresses were all manufactured within Suzhou, where our silk was sourced. No flying - no unnecessary pollution. Beginning in Fall 2016, we have also refreshed our packaging from using reusable poly bag to recyclable paper bag. In our pursuit of eliminating our carbon footprint, every detail matters.
SiiZU is primarily known for their handmade jewelry, but their apparel is also made to be worn by anybody! Not only that, but their clothing, while being produced ethically, is smart yet affordable. Consisting of neutrals as well as pops of vibrant color, SiiZU sells clothing items that can be worn casually or in a more professional setting. Unfortnately, though, this retailer does not sell pants.
Summary:
Best for: Business casual
Brand's price range: $20-$100
Basics or Statements: Basics
Specialization: Jewelry, Tops/sweaters, outerwear, scarfs, handbags
Picnicwear
With textiles being produced almost entirely by upcycled material and all December proceeds going to City Harvest, Picnicwear produces vibrant, trendy clothing. As a slow-fashion brand, Picnicwear produces one of each item, producing virtually zero waste.
All picnicwear products are made with love and care by either Dani, at her apartment in Brooklyn, or one of her sewists who are located in Brooklyn and Queens. Picnicwear uses 100% up-cycled vintage materials (with the exception of thread and labels)...The name "picnic" actually came from my idea to have this brand embody the camaraderie and joy of people coming together, and everyone contributing something to the "picnic" table.
I would recommend this brand for people seeking unique, one-of-a-kind, handmade shirts, hats, and face masks. The bucket hats are made entirely of upcycled towels, with zig-zagging brims and colorful patterns. The shirts and accessories, meanwhile, are super vibrant with varying textures, adding yet another individualistic element to their products.
Summary:
Best for: Vintage, beachcore/cottagecore
Brand's price range: $20-$100
Basics or Statements: Statements
Specialization: Hats, facemasks, sweatshirts
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