NOTHING REAL CAN BE THREATENED.
Sustainability has become one of the trendiest, and trickiest, words defining the last decade. It seems that a global awareness has increased and many are open and willing to participate in the conversation. While the standards of the environmental organizations are high, it brings into focus the ways in which we can reduce our footprint, no matter how small the action.
As we look toward the future, with our focus on the handmade fashion industry in Latin America, how can we do our part? For years, artisans in developing countries have been making little to nothing in wages. We decided to touch base with one of our all-favorite hat designers, Adriana Ortiz Offredo, whose ALLPA hats are changing the way we think about manufacturing and production.
In a brief interview with KM33, Adriana gave us insight into the vision behind her brand, citing the importance of creating a sustainable and environmentally conscious label. “From the moment I decided to launch ALLPA, I set a goal to ensure that my brand would not only be a creative outlet, but a socially conscious as well.
I have high standards when it comes to ethics and labor. I work directly with artisans, without intermediaries, even though this may not be the fastest or least cost effective method. For us, it is supremely important to maintain the quality of our toquilla straw hats and for that to translate into opportunity for the local communities to have a decent, sustainable life.”
Many today agree that our society needs to continue developing (and implementing) strategies for a more environmentally conscious world. This includes how we produce and consume clothing, shoes, accessories and other textiles. Virtually all major clothing companies in Sweden today have put in to action rules and regulations monitoring the production phase, in addition to educating their consumers on the reuse and recycling of clothing. Top level clothing and manufacturing executives are opening the floor to discussions on realigning business models, production processes and store concepts toward improved sustainability.
In part, sustainable fashion is about producing clothing, shoes and accessories in environmentally and socio-economically friendly ways. It is also about more conscious patterns of consumption and use, which necessitates shifts in individual attitudes and behaviors.
Despite this shift to a more conscious way of thinking (and acting) there is no one right or wrong definition of sustainable fashion. The idea is to participate globally, in big and small ways, in order to effectively cultivate change.
