Apparel brand Uni Style Image (USI) has taken an initiative towards raising awareness about slow fashion and its importance for a sustainable future, Managing Director of USI, Ashvinder Singh, announced in a social media post on Friday.
“Join us in raising awareness about the importance of protecting our planet for a sustainable future. Together, let’s make a difference by selecting Slow Fashion,” Ashvinder Singh said in a LinkedIn post.
Founded in 1990 by Ashvinder Singh, USI is an apparel company offering clothing and accessories for men and women, including t-shirts, polos, shirts, shorts and winter wear. Its pricing starts from Rs 699 upto Rs 1,999.
Enviro Club was founded 6 years later and has only gained momentum in the recent push towards sustainability in the fashion retail industry.
About Enviro Club
Enviro Club is a non-profit interest group for spreading awareness about the importance of natural resources and how best to use them. The club was started by Singh with the goal to invite people to participate in the conservation of the natural world.
Initiatives by Enviro Club
Under the banner of Enviro Club, USI has been following several environmental practices and promoting conscious living, while also providing employment opportunities to the underprivileged. The company uses carry bags made out of recycled products and FSC-certified environment-friendly stationery, showing its commitment to nature.
Apart from encouraging the youth and adults of the nation towards a sustainable future, it has been taking initiatives to inspire the children of the country as well by organising art competitions, i.e. on World Environment Day, USI encourages children to paint their vision of a greener world and every year on World Anti-Tobacco Day, children from multiple schools participate in a poetry writing contest and express their feelings.
What is Slow Fashion?
Slow fashion is an approach to fashion that prioritizes sustainability, ethics, and longevity over fast-paced, disposable fashion trends. It is a movement that encourages consumers to buy fewer clothing items of higher quality, made with care for both the environment and the people involved in the production process. The core principles of slow fashion include: quality over quantity, ethical production, sustainable materials, local production, transparency, and minimal waste.
What makes Slow Fashion better than Fast Fashion
Slow fashion is considered better than fast fashion for several reasons, as it prioritizes sustainability, ethics, and longevity over the rapid production and consumption cycle of fast fashion.
Here are some key reasons why more people are supporting the slow fashion buzz:
Environmental Impact: Slow fashion brands focus on using sustainable materials and production methods, which reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry. They often use organic or recycled fabrics, minimize waste, and employ eco-friendly dyeing and manufacturing processes. In contrast, fast fashion is associated with high water usage, pollution, and overproduction of clothing.
Quality and Durability: Slow fashion emphasizes the creation of high-quality, durable garments. These items are designed to last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Fast fashion, on the other hand, often prioritises low-cost production, resulting in lower-quality clothing that may quickly wear out or lose its appeal.
Ethical Labour Practices: Slow fashion brands typically ensure fair wages and safe working conditions for the people involved in the production process. They value the well-being of workers throughout the supply chain, from garment workers to farmers. In contrast, fast fashion has been criticized for exploitative labour practices and sweatshop conditions.
Less Waste: Slow fashion brands produce in smaller quantities and often have limited edition collections. This approach reduces overproduction and excess inventory, which is a common problem in fast fashion. It also encourages consumers to buy thoughtfully and cherish their clothing items for longer.
Timeless Design: Slow fashion favours timeless, classic designs that don’t go out of style quickly. This contrasts with fast fashion, which thrives on quickly changing trends and encourages consumers to constantly update their wardrobes.
Transparency: Many slow fashion brands are transparent about their sourcing and production practices. This transparency allows consumers to make informed choices and support brands that align with their values. Fast fashion companies often lack such transparency.
Local and Artisanal Production: Some slow fashion brands prioritize local or artisanal production, supporting local communities and traditional craftsmanship. Fast fashion, in contrast, often outsources production to countries with lower labour costs. Reduced Carbon Footprint: By using sustainable materials, local production, and minimizing transportation, slow fashion can have a smaller carbon footprint compared to fast fashion, which often involves long-distance shipping and a reliance on synthetic materials.
Mindful Consumption: Slow fashion promotes a more mindful approach to clothing consumption. Consumers are encouraged to buy less but invest in higher-quality pieces, reducing impulse buying and unnecessary purchases.
As slow fashion offers a more sustainable and ethical alternative to the fast fashion model. It prioritizes the long-term well-being of people and the planet over short-term trends and profit margins, making it a better choice for those concerned about the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry.
