By Olivia Dennis
With the increasing awareness of the world’s environmental decay, people are beginning to look inward in hopes of reversing the damage that has taken place. And with some, that means starting with their clothing.
According to Royal Waste, a sustainable waste team, as of 2023, the fashion industry produced 97 million tons of waste annually. 18 million were leftover textiles, 2.5 million were chemical waste, and three million were packaging materials.
Statistics like these are why more fashion designers and consumers have switched to sustainable fashion over the years. Among some designers is Leigh Anne Balzekas, the co-founder of a sustainable department store called The Disco Dolls Studio.
Being in fashion design school, Balzekas saw a lot of waste and knew she needed to switch to sustainable fashion to reconcile with what she had learned.
“In order to make more money, the fashion industry has overproduced, and that’s why we have so many clothes overflowing our thrift stores and everywhere else —they’re trying to create demand with the overproduction,” she said.
Now a co-founder of her own company, Balzekas said that in recent years, she has seen a noticeable shift in consumers and sustainable fashion. She noted people’s growing concern for the environment and open-mindedness towards this newer form of fashion.
Balzekas said that she understands that the switch from fast fashion to sustainable fashion can be difficult, but it is well worth the trouble.
“Fashion is a wonderful thing; it’s how we express ourselves, so I think…finding a way to do that without harming others is important,” she said.
Younger fashion designers, such as Tailor Sallee’s owner, Tayler Sallee, have also encouraged more people to become conscious of their fashion choices.
Sallee has focused on upcycled fashion and sewing for five-plus years. She offers various sewing services, from basic alterations to custom pet designs.
“We’re on a mission to save the planet, one outfit at a time, by creating unique pieces handcrafted from recycled, thrifted materials. Our brand stands for ethical practices, eco-consciousness, and celebrating individuality through fashion.”
Like Balzekas, Sallee also became aware of sustainable fashion while in school.
“My journey into sustainable fashion began during my college years when I attended a sustainability conference where local designers discussed the environmental impacts of fast fashion,” she said. “This sparked my interest and I started experimenting with my designs, eventually leading me to embrace sustainable practices in my fashion endeavors.”
As time went on Sallee said that she began to notice others making the switch as well due to growing ethical concerns surrounding the fashion industry and environmental issues.
She said, “People are beginning to recognize the impact of their purchasing decisions and are seeking alternatives that align with their values.”
Sallee believes that spreading the word about sustainable fashion is key to encouraging people to switch from fast fashion. One way she is doing this is through social media.
“I’ve launched a podcast with my partner, Mika, and Tay Talk on YouTube where we discuss sustainable living and fashion choices, further amplifying the message of eco-consciousness and responsible consumption,” she said.
But Sallee is one of many taking the social media route. Jade Taylor is an advocate and educator for sustainable fashion on TikTok.
Taylor said she has always advocated for sustainable fashion out of necessity, but it wasn’t until her late teens that she realized why others needed to be educated.
“Fast fashion is a manipulative beast. It has made everyone forget how we used to see garments as lifetime investments and treat them with care,” she said. It has convinced people that they are undesirable without the latest styles and, even worse, that they are entitled to cheap, trendy clothing at the expense of people in the global south because “every company is doing it.”
With a platform, Taylor said that she has had the opportunity to change many people’s perspectives on their consumption habits over the years by educating people on their options. Some things you can do include mending your clothing or taking it to your local tailor, reducing your consumption, repairing your relationship with your clothing, and shopping secondhand first.
“The most important thing is to wear what you already have. The most sustainable clothing on the planet is already in your closet… to reduce the demand for new things and keep stuff out of landfills,” she said. “And educating others on the horrors of the industry and common misconceptions about sustainability. Seriously, awareness is key. People can’t do better if they don’t know better.”
As people from different generations begin to open their eyes to the fashion industry’s damaging habits, it will be more common to see people consciously straying from fast fashion. And with the presence of social media allowing for more information to be spread, the shift may continue to happen faster.