FAST FASHION & WHAT WE ALREADY OWN
Before you replace it, rethink it.
The way we buy, wear and discard clothing has consequences.
Fast fashion has accelerated the cycle of consumption, making clothing easier to replace and easier to treat as disposable. As a result, garments that could still be worn, repaired or repurposed are often discarded early.
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01
WHY IT MATTERS
Why talk about fast fashion?
"The way we buy, wear and discard clothing has consequences."
Consequences of acceleration
Fast fashion has accelerated the cycle of consumption, making clothing easier to replace and easier to treat as disposable. As a result, garments that could still be worn, repaired or repurposed are often discarded early.
There is no single solution. Instead we ask a practical question:
What can we do with the clothes we already have?
RETHINKING LONGETIVITY, UTILITY AND PERSONAL CRAFT
A Framework for Action
Repair. Reuse. Rethink.
Look through your wardrobe. Is there something you stopped wearing because it is damaged, no longer fits, feels outdated or simply no longer works for you?.
Before replacing it, consider three possibilities.
01
REPAIR
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Fix what you can.
A missing button, loose seam or small tear can often be addressed with a few basic skills. Repair does not have to be invisible - or perfect.
FOCUS ON FUCTION & CHARACTER
02
REUSE
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Give it another purpose.
Fabric and clothing can sometimes serve a different function when their original one no longer works.
REIMAGINING RAW MATERIALS
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03
RETHINK
Change it completely.
Alter the shape, add something new or turn it into something else. Not everything needs to return to what it was before.
EVOLUTION OVER DISPOSAL
THE AIM
Give yourself more options.
"The aim is simple: give yourself more options before deciding something has reached the end of its usefulness."
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02
PRACTICAL SKILLS
Small Skills. More Options.
You do not need specialist equipment to start experimenting with clothing repair and transformation. Useful Start Points Included:
01
Sewing on a button
FOUNDATION MENDING SKILL
02
Repairing a small
tear
REINFORCE AND BIND TEARS
03
Reinforcing a weak
seam
PREVENT SPLIT SEAMS
04
Adding a patch
BACKING WITH SCRAP CLOTH
05
Trying visible
mending
DECORATIVE SASHIKO & BORO
06
Altering a garment
ADJUSTING FIT, HEM &
SILHOUETTE
07
Repurposing fabric
TURNING TIRED CLOTHES INTO UTILITY BAGS, LINENS & TOOLS
PHILOSOPHY OF REPAIR
These skills are not about achieving a perfect result.
They make it easier to respond creatively when something changes.
A patch can become part of the design.
A visible stitch can add character.
An alteration can make a familiar garment feel new again.
VOICES & ADVICES
Three Perspectives on Clothing Longevity
Practical wisdom, everyday habits, and philosophy from the studio benches of master
makers.
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Fast Fashion Workshop
Fast Fashion Workshop
Maria Teresa Fast Fashion Workshop Submission
Damilola Manakal Fast Fashion Workshop Submission
Mrs Ruby Joshi Fast Fashion Workshop final edit
FREE COMMUNITY RESOURCES
SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING GUIDE (PDF)
A practical guide to understanding how sustainable the clothes in your wardrobe really are, and making more informed choices the next time you shop.
Inside, you'll learn how to:
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Identify better materials - understand organic, recycled and higher-impact fibres from your clothing labels.
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Assess construction quality - check fabrics, seams, structure, zippers and buttons to understand how long a garment is likely to last.
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Evaluate how you actually use your clothes - discover whether your garments are being worn enough, across seasons and occasions, and how well they hold up over time.
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Recognise responsible brands - learn what certifications and transparent brand practices to look for, and how to spot vague sustainability claims.
