Last year, my wonderful husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in Milan. We were walking the streets of Milan and enjoyed good coffee, good weather and all the designer shops the world could offer. Two things did however give me a persistent impression; first Il Duomo. This fascinating piece of architecture took almost 500 years to complete. Could this kind of commitment ever be done in our times? Most probably not.
Secondly, on Corso Garibaldi we found a fashion shop called ASAP - As Sustainable As Possible. They had really neat clothes that all were sustainable. This was new for me. I have always connected sustainable clothes with brands such as Patagonia and primarily outdoor stuff which of course is not bad.
ASAP only uses either recycled fabric that are selected and recovered among the best Italian companies that no longer uses them because the quantities are too limited for a profitable industrial production or 100% natural fibers such as yak, camel, silk or linen. Pls find them at www.asaplab.it
I got very inspired by ASAP and their ideas and decided on the spot to try to only buy clothes that are sustainable
ME AND SUSTAINABILITY
To put things in context I should perhaps explain that I try to live as sustainable as possible also when it comes to other things than fashion. I strongly believe that we need to alter our ways of living when it comes to finite resources, regardless if there is global warming or not. In the family we try to buy as much ecological produced food as possible. I go by bike to work every day, all year around and I try to use the car as little as possible. My bad is that I like to travel.
(I do not wear tweed when I go to work with my bike, but I do think it is classy!)
ME AND FASHION
I should say that I am not a fashionista - far from it. I really enjoy fashion but I have never been very good at it. I have always dreamt of this perfect wardrobe with a few pieces that fits perfectly together. Instead there has always been to many “wrong buys” hanging around. I have become better though.
ME AND SUSTAINABLE FASHION
Since my visit in Milan and ASAP I have become more and more interested in the concept of sustainable fashion. First I had great difficulties in finding anything that was both beautiful and sustainable. I had to use the clothes that I already had - myself second hand. This is of course perhaps the ultimate sustainability - not to buy anything. I do believe that my and other’s consumption of goods need to decrease, but to never buy anything new does not hold either of course. So when consuming, why not consume in a way that make as little harm as possible?
I have during this year learnt more about sustainable fashion and I have actually begun to find several designers that focus on sustainable fashion.
Second hand is great - but not for me. I do not like the thought of wearing clothes that someone else have been wearing. I am silly I know. I give away though all my “wrong buys” to charity so that they can sell them to all smart people who appreciate second hand.
WHY A BLOG?
I have never blogged before. I haven’t followed any bloggers. So why do I start to blog about sustainable fashion?
I has become an itch! I want to share my thoughts and hopefully increasing knowledge about sustainable fashion. Perhaps no one will follow this blog, but I will learn more and hopefully support the people out there trying to combine beauty and sustainability.
This is Noorin Khamisani. She started the company Outsider (
www.outsiderfashion.com) with a vision that ethical fashion should look just like fashion. I have just ordered this dress from her and hopefully I will love it and have it for long. It is 100% organic merino wool. I will write about wool some other time.
