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The fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to environmental pollution. It is also well known that the fashion industry has poor ethical practices. As fashion businesses strive to grow and scale. Many are always looking for the fastest and cheapest way to mass produce their clothing. This is where ethics can get thrown out the window. I have stumbled across a few brands that have impressive ethical standards. I personally, have made conscious efforts to support these brands, especially if they are female-owned businesses.
As quick and easy is a convenient, it has become increasingly challenging to find brands that are transparent with their manufacturing processes. As consumers, we must be mindful about our purchases. We must take into consideration where the items are made, how they are sourced and under what conditions were they made. We need to make conscious choices that will empower us and the people who make our clothes. It is our responsibility to demand that brands provide us with the information we need to make informed decisions.
It all starts with a mindset change that will enable us to make conscious choices that support people, our communities and the environment. Here are a few tips to help you change your mindset and make conscious decisions that are ethical and uplifts your community:
- Determine the mindset you need
It becomes easy to say that we need to change our mindset when we generally don’t know what we are changing our mindset towards. If it is your goal to support ethically-run female businesses, then make the conscious decision to do that. Perhaps, it is your goal to run your business ethically, then make that commitment and put in the processes and that will take you towards your vision.
Set a goal, align your mindset and take actionable steps to support your goal.
2. New habits that change your mindset
Leading from tip number one, you need actions that support your goal and what better way to support your goal than by having consistent habits. Powerful and empowering habits that you do every day can reinforce your thought process. Prior to making a purchase, make it a habit of checking their mission statement, about page and company values on the website.
Having consistent habits can greatly impact a mindset change and lead to habits over time.
3. Surround yourself with people that match your desired mindset
It can be challenging to maintain a particular mindset. Specifically when you are surrounded by people of a differing ethical values. However, if your goal is to be sustainable and live a sustainable lifestyle, you will need to surround yourself with people who are driven by sustainability. Take a look at leading sustainable brands to learn how they promote sustainability.
Alice Alexander and Eileen Fisher are two brands that I admire and applaud for their vision and business values. The Alice Alexander brand, manufactures their clothes in the US. As a result, they are able to sell them directly to their customers. Alice Alexander offers inclusive sizing, sustainable materials and designs that produce least waste.
Eileen Fisher has a vision for “an industry where human rights and sustainability are not the effects of a particular initiative, but the cause of a business well run. Where social and environmental injustices are not unfortunate outcomes, but reasons to do things differently.”
Do you have people in your life that you surround yourself with that reinforces your mindset?