The trend towards slow fashion goes hand in hand with a return to natural materials, handcrafted production and long-lasting designs.
Slow fashion vs. fast fashion
The difference between slow fashion and fast fashion lies primarily in the way in which clothing and shoes are produced and how they are consumed.
Fast fashion stands for quick production, low prices and short-lived trends.
The aim is to produce large quantities of clothing quickly and cheaply in order to keep up with constantly changing fashion trends.
This leads to a throwaway culture in which clothes quickly go out of fashion and are often disposed of after just a few wears.
Working conditions in the fashion industry are also repeatedly a critical issue, especially for fast fashion labels.
They rely on fast production from inferior materials in low-wage countries in order to implement trends quickly and offer products at a low price.
The working conditions of the people involved in production often suffer as a result.
In many countries where fast fashion is produced, working conditions are often poor and workers are paid below average wages.
They often work in dangerous conditions, without adequate safety measures and are usually unprotected against chemicals used in the production of this type of clothing.
Working conditions are also characterized by exploitation and discrimination.
Women working in production are particularly affected and are generally paid less than their male colleagues.
Child labor is still a major issue in many countries where fast fashion is produced.
In addition, it can be difficult to measure the environmental impact of fast fashion production, as many manufacturers do not provide clear information about their production processes.
The production of clothing requires large amounts of energy, water and chemicals, which can contribute to the release of greenhouse gases.
When these clothes are then shipped to other countries to be sold in stores, this further contributes to the environmental impact.
Transporting clothes over long distances requires large amounts of energy and results in high CO2 emissions, which can contribute to global warming.
Another problem with fast fashion labels is the lack of transparency in the supply chain.
It is often difficult to trace the conditions under which the clothing was produced and who was involved.
This makes it difficult to identify those responsible and improve working conditions.
Slow fashion, on the other hand, focuses on environmental friendliness and ethics in production.
The garments are made from high-quality and durable materials that are often biodegradable.
The brands focus on timeless designs and timeless styles that do not go out of fashion and can therefore be worn for longer.
Slow fashion is a movement in the fashion industry that advocates the sustainable and ethical production of clothing.
It is not only about using environmentally friendly materials, but also about fair and transparent production.
The use of environmentally friendly materials plays a decisive role in the production of sustainable fashion.
These materials are grown and processed with ecological and social aspects in mind.
The use of harmful chemicals is avoided and attention is paid to environmentally friendly processing.
Production is carried out using processes that conserve resources.
Slow fashion brands are also committed to fair working conditions by ensuring that all workers are paid fairly and can work in safe and healthy conditions.
Attention is often paid to local and regional production in order to increase transparency in the supply chain and better control working conditions.
The quality of production also plays an important role in slow fashion.
The garments are produced carefully and usually with a high level of craftsmanship to ensure that they last a long time and do not wear out quickly.
This not only reduces the consumption of resources, but also creates an awareness of the value of clothing.
Overall, the aim of slow fashion is to promote a more conscious and sustainable approach to clothing.
Instead of constantly buying new items of clothing that are often only worn for a short time, the aim is to buy clothes that you really need and that will last longer.
By taking this approach, we can not only protect the environment, but also promote a fair and sustainable fashion industry.
But what about sustainable shoes?
Shoes are an essential part of our everyday life.
They protect our feet and complete our outfits.
However, many shoes are made from environmentally harmful materials such as PVC or polyurethane and are produced under unfair conditions.
Hartjes has set itself the goal of counteracting this development and has been producing shoes that are resource-friendly and sustainable for 70 years. About the production steps at Hartjes The materials used to make Hartjes shoes come from Europe.
The company only uses vegetable-tanned leather that is free from heavy metals and other harmful substances.
The footbeds are also made from natural materials such as cork and latex, which are not only environmentally friendly but also particularly comfortable.
Another important factor for the sustainability of shoes is their durability.
Thanks to the use of high-quality materials and handcrafted production techniques, they often last much longer than conventional shoes.
Generally speaking, shoes are often thrown away far too quickly, even though they could still be repaired.
By repairing shoes, we can not only protect the environment, but also save money and extend the life of our favorite shoes.
Another important aspect of sustainable shoe production is the consideration of working conditions.
Slow fashion labels make sure that the shoes are produced under appropriate conditions and that the workers are paid fairly.
Attention is also paid to environmentally friendly production, for example by disposing of waste water and waste correctly.
Another important factor for the longevity of shoes is the quality of workmanship.
Slow fashion labels such as Hartjes rely on careful and durable processing of shoes to ensure that the shoes last a long time and do not wear out quickly.
This not only reduces the consumption of resources, but also creates an awareness of the value of shoes.
The trend towards slow fashion also has an impact on the design of shoes.
Instead of short-lived trends, many companies are focusing on timeless colors and shapes that are characterized by their durability and versatility.
Hartjes shoes are available in different colors and styles and can be combined with many outfits.
This means they can be worn for many years and are not only environmentally friendly, but also make a sustainable fashion statement.
Through these approaches, a positive change in the fashion and footwear industry can be achieved, which is not only important for the environment, but also for people.