Welcome to Slowly Does It, a newsletter focussed on fashion and sustainability, with some joy and frivolity thrown in for good measure.
I hope you’ve had a nourishing start to 2022. I spent a good few weeks offline and I’m feeling more intentional about how I want to spend my time here, (thanks to a helpful nudge from this book).
Coming back online to see (what felt like) the entire internet outraged about super-influencer Molly Mae’s take that her wealth, power and role as Pretty Little Thing’s Creative Director was a result of “hard work” has made me think quite deeply about the amount of power we give reality stars and celebrities, and our disdain and disappointment when they fail to take a stand for erm…anything.
I believe that we need to reserve the majority of our online outrage for systems not individuals, but when it comes to encouraging over-consumption, influencers like MM have a huge and collectively disastrous impact. As much as I hear (and partly agree with) the conversation around how it’s unfair for the internet to pile on a 22-year-old, I can’t help but be reminded of Chloe’s letter to Molly, which was written from a place of compassion and reflection, and as a result of seeing first hand impact that fast fashion is having on folks in Kantamanto Market.
Anannya Bhattacharjee from Asia Floor Wage Alliance and Garment and Allied Workers Union in North India told us how holding brands to account on social media can truly make a difference as it harms their brand image and will ultimately impact sales - and what’s more important to a fast fashion brand than their sales? Zilch.
Something that was reassuring to see during the Same Hours In A Day fiasco, was coverage of garment makers’ opinions:
“I would say to her in 24 hours try and make one of your designs. Make the cuttings, put the labels on, sew them all together. In fact, give her 48 hours, she won’t be able to do it”.
More of this in 2022, please.
Next month will see Pretty Little Thing make their debut London Fashion Week appearance, which will serve as a perfect distraction from their failure to produce fewer garments and pay their garment makers, as their billionaire CEO Umar Kamani (friend of the Diary Of A CEO podcast host - of course!) continues to fill his pockets.
This month’s actions
Write to your local MP to protect the right to protest.
Before February’s vote in the House of Commons, please take a few minutes to write to your MP to ask them to support the House of Lords changes. This represents a cornerstone of our democracy and must be protected.
Tweet ZARA to insist they #PayYourWorkers. Their garment makers haven’t been paid the legal minimum wage for 660 days and counting. Head here for a pre-made tweet template.
This month I’ve been…
In awe of
Ayishat Akanbi on The Problem With Wokeness
Reading
Megan Jayne Crabbe asking Does Everyday Kindness Still Matter?
How Shein Beat Amazon At It’s Own Game
Eight (realistic) fashion resolutions to make for 2022
100 Ways To Slightly Improve Your Life Without Really Trying
Why our secret weapon against the climate crisis could be humour
She Made Jeans... When They Stopped Shopping, She Turned to Sex Work
Could living wages help solve fashion’s climate crisis?
The myth of sustainable fashion
The future of fashion is justice
Enjoying
Swapping clothes for 99p NUW
Drinking my coffee in Lusi Ceramic mugs
Slathering on this Gold Face Mask
Avoiding flake city with Beauty Oil
Lusting after
Vintage homeware of dreams Studio Arva
Eating
Agnolotti from Oak restaurant
Rachel Ama’s West African Stew
Buttermilk Salted Caramel Cups
Watching
King Richard
Unpregnant
Impeachment: American Crime Story (BBC iPlayer)
Cheer Season 2 (Netflix)
Euphoria Season 2 (Sky Atlantic)
Finding Italy with Stanley Tucci (CNN - 506 Sky)
Listening to
The Story of Miriam Rivera
Sweet Bobby
Wishing you a wonderful month
Venetia x