While many high street stores seem to focus more of ‘fast fashion’ (or ‘throw away fashion’ as it is sometimes called) there is a new movement slowly taking ground here in the UK.
Known as ‘Slow Fashion’ the people behind it are dedicated to quality over quantity. Carin Mansfield, a designer from London uses old-fashioned work wear as the inspiration for her garments. She creates each piece with attention to detail, believing that if the person who buys it cares for the garment correctly it will last a life time. The idea behind ‘slow fashion’ is to educate the prospective buyers, and the public at large, about the time and energy that goes into making every single piece of clothing we own. Something that is often overlooked when buying an intricately sewn top for the price of a coffee. You can learn more about the Slow Fashion movement by watching this BBC investigation.
What are your thoughts on it?
2 Comments
R Kerr
19/03/2016 at 7:24 PMIs there any other kind?! lol! The reason I haven’t entered the Sewing Bee, is because I think they work out how long it takes to turn out a beautifully made piece of clothing -then take half an hour off! The stress would make me cry! Cheap clothing is everywhere, one-off ‘pieces’ made to fit you perfectly and in a fabric you chose especially- however rich someone is, they couldn’t own one of your ‘pieces’, they’re too exclusive! I recently researched the average wardrobe of an ordinary woman just pre-war. It isn’t huge, but covers all occasions, and to my mind, is sufficient, which means even I can find the time to make it! 7 dresses (across all seasons), 2/3 two piece suits, 2/3 skirts, 3 coats (across seasons), 1 mackintosh, 5/6 pairs colour matching shoes (across seasons) A selection of evening wear “which was deliberately light-hearted and delicate and not suitable to work in” ! Add 3 beautiful satin, hand-stitched made to measure bras, five pairs of satin and lace cami-knickers and 2 slips plus 2 slip-over jumpers and 3 neutral coloured cardis to it, oh and then there would be a couple of lawn nighties for summer and 2 pairs of flannelette pyjamas for winter, dressing gown….I could be a while…..Apparently, a popular pastime for little girls in the evening, was hand stitching hankies, so they could practice their basic embroidery, and knitting next winter’s hats, scarves and gloves! I’m going to run that one by my 12 year old daughter, but I suspect I know what the answer will be! I’ll also have to start eating a war-time diet too, otherwise, by the time I’ve finished this lot, I may well be half a stone heavier from all the biscuit eating! : (
Rebecca
21/03/2016 at 10:45 AMI think people of the pre-war era had it right, as long as you choose your pieces carefully and can mix and match them for different seasons/occasions you do not need many clothes. Although getting the right pattern may take some thought it would save people a lot of money (and time spent thinking about what to wear!) It is so lovely to think of little girls using their spare time to learn a valuable skill, I have a 12 year old niece and I think she would be less than impressed at the idea of spending her evenings doing embroidery. Haha yes a war time diet would probably do the trick… That said, I do like a Hobnob or two whilst sewing!