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Making a Difference with Worthy Causes in Style and Fashion
One need not spend much to be fashionable. Indeed, the recent downturn in the economy coupled with global natural disasters brought about by climate change has encouraged designers, boutiques and shops to market more affordable fashion accessories. The fashion industry is responding to the call of the times and is now finding ways to make clothes, shoes, bags and other accessories more affordable, because style need not be expensive.
The recent trends in the industry call for the use of more indigenous materials. This means having to use what is available locally in your designs without having to engage in more costly imported materials. Using indigenous materials not only cuts the cost in terms of transporting the raw materials, it also helps boost the local industries. For example, using more cotton will help generate more income and more jobs to the cotton industry. It will give a much-needed boost to cotton farmers and textile creators.
Many fashion designers are also developing more natural ways of dyeing material. Several designers are looking into natural and organic sources of dye such as indigenous plant leaves, fruits and tree barks. While this may, in reality be quite expensive in the beginning, the development of this practice may actually result to more savings in the long run. This is because the dye will be sourced locally and many will be discouraged from using chemical based pesticides and fertilizers in the development of organic dye. The use of bleach will also be reduced. Many studies have shown how the use of chemical based colorings and bleach can be increasingly damaging to the environment. This damage can be long term and restoring the environment to its healthy state will prove to be more damaging not just in the financial terms but it can also cause more damage to the health and well being of the people who work and live around it.
The use of organic bleach and natural materials is also a trend in the creation of fashion accessories. Organic dye is now used to color different types of natural woods to create jewelry and other accessories. Many bags made out of natural fiber and animal skin get their colorful and modern designs and their distinctive style using organic dye. Indeed this natural and environment friendly innovation being adopted by today’s designers is gaining much support from various sectors, including Hollywood and national governments worldwide.
Beyond the glitter, the style and the glamour, awareness for the environment and the economy is showing in the fashion community. Aside from using environment friendly materials and methods in the creation of clothes, bags, shoes and several other fashion accessories, many design houses and clothes manufacturers are also adopting several ways with which they could help boost the economy.
Despite the global financial crisis, many manufacturers refused to close down and in as much as they could, tried to avoid cutting down on their workforce. At the same time, many designers are making statements against child labor and the use of sweatshops in third world countries such as Ecuador, Honduras, China and the Philippines. Many boutiques are adopting worthy campaigns to develop people’s awareness against issues like sex trafficking and violence against women.
The development of new designs and materials, the endless creativity in the development of new styles in clothes and fashion accessories to help boost the industry in spite of the economy is proof that this is an industry that knows how to fight back. Indeed, the world of fashion is not just all about being glamorous and as low as stereotypes can go, being shallow. It is beyond style. The industry is making huge strides in helping the economy and the environment survive its setbacks.