Shop thoughtfully and locally, this Black Friday.
As Black Friday approaches, it easy to get swept up in the allure of massive discounts and deals as stores will pull out all marketing tactics to create FOMO, with dropping prices. However, let’s consider the broader impact of our purchasing decision, especially concerning the fast fashion.
Because let’s face it, fashion is FUN, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of the environment or exploitation.
During Black Friday, the carbon footprint of fashion and clothing sales spikes by 70% compared to a typical day. This surge is equivalent to the annual carbon emissions of approximately 2,800 individuals.
In Aotearoa , the fast fashion industry has grown significantly, driven by the demand for affordable clothing. This surge has led to substantial environment consequences, with approximately 180,000 tons of clothing and textile waste ending up in our landfill each year
Quality over Quantity – this is not a new concept.
Every item we purchase has an end of life. Many fast fashion pieces are discarded after minimal use, contributing to 92 million tons of textile waste generated globally each year.
OK – What are we going to do about this team?! Let’s Shop locally! Supporting local businesses not only strengthens communities but means investing in quality items.
Choose Sustainably: Opt for products made from sustainable materials, with circularity in mind, or upcycled or second-hand. This reduces the demand for new rousources and minimizes waste.
Be Mindful: before making a purchase. Do you really need it?
All that said there are some amazing New Zealand Fashion brands who are operating with sustainability and circularity as core values: Some of my favorite are:
Penny Sage: Founded by designer Kate Mcgaw, Penny Sage is an independent lable that produces high-quality, long lasting pieces. Each garment in handmade in Auckland.
Standard Issue: Specializing in timeless knitwear made from sustainable and natural materials, emphasizing zero waste production and local manufacturing.
www.standardissue.co.nz
Rachel Mills is a visionary designer at the forefront of New Zealand’s Sustainable fashion scene with a timeless and minimalist aesthetic that embodies thoughtful consumption
rachelmills.co.nz
Kowtow
Known for using organic fair trade cotton and noon toxic dyes. Kowtow has been designing sustainable collections for nearly 20 years now.
nz.kowtowclothing.com
Also brands that sell pre-loved clothing online:
& Again
Your online thrift store
Crushes
An ethical Concept store
Crushes.co.nz
Re:Generate
A bricks and mortar + Online consignment store + regenerate markets
Regeneratefashion.com
+ Heaps of Instagram resellers
Search them up!
Fever Vintage
The hand me Downs Shop
Love to Death
Oh and us of course! Plus SO MUCH more, so get searching!
Sources
https://www.sustainability-beat.co.uk/2023/11/13/black-friday-emissions
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2023/11/carbon-footprint-black-friday