Leading Australian eco store, Biome, is taking a stand against the significant rise and devastating environmental impact of fast fashion with the launch of its Slow Fashion Department exclusively curated by sustainable fashion advocate and blogger, Leah Musch, of The Un-Material Girl.Founder of Biome, Tracey Bailey, said for too long large fashion retail chains have fuelled the fast fashion culture by increasing the production and promotion of poor quality fashion which has lead to excessive and unnecessary consumption.“Australia is now the second largest consumer of new textiles averaging 27 kilograms of new textiles per person every year, and as a nation, we are dumping more than six tonnes of fashion waste into landfill every 10 minutes,” she said.
“AS A PASSIONATE ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE AND THE PLANET, I FELT IT WAS TIME TO JOIN AND CHAMPION THE SLOW FASHION MOVEMENT. THE SLOW FASHION MOVEMENT IS THE ANTITHESIS OF FAST FASHION. IT CHAMPIONS TRANSPARENCY, SUSTAINABLE FABRICS, FAIR TREATMENT OF THOSE WHO MAKE CLOTHES, ENVIRONMENTALLY - RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION, AND INNOVATION."“Slow fashion is about respecting a slower process, loving a garment for longer, knowing the maker, appreciating fabric, building a wardrobe of beautiful staples and banishing the idea that outfit repeating is a sin.”Biome’s Slow Fashion Department is spearheaded by Biome’s visual merchandiser and sustainable and ethical fashion blogger, Leah Musch.Leah Musch has been documenting her experiences in the world of slow fashion on her blog, The Un-Material Girl, and on Instagram for more than three years, and is an avid speaker, workshop host and educator.Ms Musch said it’s no secret that fashion is one of the most polluting industries in the world. “Fast fashion issues span from textile waste to human rights violation, the use of toxic materials and dyes to big brands burning excess stock,” she said.“The industry is depleting non-renewable resources, emitting huge quantities of greenhouse gases and using massive amounts of energy, chemicals and water to produce vast quantities of clothing just to meet industry demand.
THE INCREASED USE OF SYNTHETIC FIBRES SUCH AS POLYESTER, NYLON AND ACRYLIC WHICH ARE MADE FROM PETROLEUM IS ALSO IMPACTING THE ENVIRONMENT IN MANY WAYS. THESE PLASTIC FIBRES DON’T BIODEGRADE, CAN TAKE THOUSANDS OF YEARS TO BREAK DOWN, AND POLLUTE OUR OCEANS AND WATERWAYS WITH THOUSANDS PLASTIC MICRO PLASTIC FIBRES WITH EVERY WASH.”
Biome’s Slow Fashion Department was created to give a voice and platform to the labels that are leading the way. The department offers customers an avenue to support and purchase fashion that aligns with their values.Ms Bailey said all featured labels have been carefully researched and curated to ensure they meet Biome’s ethical and sustainable standards, are vegan and are made using natural fibres.“The cost of creating a sustainable and ethical fashion garment is never cheap, but customers can rest assured that they are not only investing in a quality garment, but supporting the future of fashion,” she said. “Slowly but surely, consumer awareness, education and passion is harbouring a new attitude towards the consumption of fashion, but there is still a long way to go in the movement towards a better fashion industry, and while perfection is the goal, we’re not there yet.” Ways consumers can support the slow fashion movement:
For more information or slow socks, go to Biome and follow links.