Author: Bevlyn Anyaoku

Beauty Routine – How to make your everyday regime more sustainable.

There is always a way we can become greener, even in our beauty routines. Our everyday ritual is performed naturally and whether our routine is sustainable usually flies over our heads. Now you are more eco-conscious it can be a daunting task to figure out how to make our beauty routines more sustainable. Below are 7 small and easy changes to make to your beauty regime for a big impact Packaging: Let’s start with buying products that have eco-friendly packaging. This is one of the easier changes. In fact most brands that are using sustainable packaging or no packing at all. Sustainable packaging means we can either reuse it or recycle it. REN clear skincare has dedicated themselves to sustainable packaging and have made their containers completely recyclable – their bottles are made from 80% recycled plastic and 20% plastic debris.Get rid of face wipes and cotton balls: Get rid of face wipes and cotton balls Face wipes clean away the majority of your make up, but they also strip your skin of the natural oils and imbalance your PH levels because of the chemicals they contain. When you throw away your wipes, you are unknowingly adding to the impact on our environment. An estimate of 7.6 billion pounds of wipes are thrown into the landfill every year equating to 1.3 billion wipes being thrown away A DAY! Invest in some re-usable face cleaners and reusable cotton pads. This guarantees a reduced usage of these products and less impact to our planet. Reduce your water usage: You may wonder how exactly to do that but many of us unknowingly let our water run whilst we brush our teeth or wash our faces. Simply turning of the water whilst we do these things saves so much water. Try using a cooler water to wash your face and whilst you take a shower. Hot water is known for damaging the skin. Specifically, it can dry and damage your skin as the keratin cells in our skins is damaged. Shop smartly from sustainable brands! I say smartly because the saying less is more is of high importance for a sustainable future. The more products we buy, we increase our consumerism which makes an impact on our environment. We want to also avoid irritating our skin. Our skin is unique and not every product is good for it so mass buying becomes pointless and damaging. However, the products we do buy, we should be aware of the impact the company and the product are making on the environment. Eco-friendly ingredients: The ingredients in our beauty products should be well and ethically sourced in order to be sustainable. Look for the fair trade and rainforest alliance logo on the packaging to identify if the products ingredients are ethical. So…What are you going to start doing?

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Accessory Trends 2021: Preparing for After Lockdown!

Our fashion may be the centre attention but accessories make up the outfit. Think of it like clothes being batman and the accessories being his utility belt; neither can go without the other! Even though we are still currently sitting behind computer screens, entertaining endless zoom calls and possibly losing the motivation to be fashionable at home, why not be hopeful and prepare for the end of lock down? We have seen enough of the possible outfits we could rock after lockdown but what are we doing with our accessories? Baguette bags:
  • Firstly, the name always makes me laugh but we get more and more inventive with naming products. Baguette bags started in the 90s by Fendi but had re-emerged in 2020 and so far, is continuing to be the go-to bag for many shoppers. It is the perfect purse that goes with just about every outfit and comes in various colours. So put those tote bags down and get yourself a baguette bag. Trending or not, they always pull an outfit together.
Silver chain necklaces:
  • I started seeing chunky silver necklaces in every outfit on my Instagram explore page, so much so that I had to get one myself! And what a buy! Wear it buy itself or layer it with some silver chains. Both looks are aesthetically pleasing and accentuates the neck. It is the simplicity of it that makes this accessory so appealing and compliments any outfit rather than steal the show.
Assorted Rings:
  • Clearly we do not just layer clothes and hair any more! We have also developed that trend to include our rings. Not only do they compliment out hands, but you can also have fun playing with the layering and choosing the best structure and style of rings that fits your styles. Decide on a metal and stick with that to create a cohesive look!
Pearl clips:
  • These bring a touch of class to you outfit and are suitable for a day out, lunch or an evening dinner. Like the rings, you can layer these clips and create a chic design on your hair. If the chunky clips are too much for you, you could opt for a thinner pearl bobby pin look. They are still as chic and could be mixed and matched with a chunky clip.
Pyramid heels:
  • This design is a fresh take on heels that I never expected. They give you the ability to look good, shape your legs and simultaneously feel comfortable. Get these in either open toed square heels or suede boots and you will be adding an asset to you shoe collection. Specific colours currently in trend are Perspex, baby pink, nude and white but make it your own!
Thigh high boots:
  • Recently these boots have been paired with body con dresses and a cute baguette bag. However, these shoes are versatile and can be paired with jeans. Dressed up or down, they give a stylish look and should be added to your shoe collection.#
So which of these are you adding to your wardrobe?

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Fashion Week: Can Fashion Week go greener?

As we find ourselves still deep within the terrors of the pandemic, and we begin to understand the need for fashion to be sustainable to protect our planet, it begs this question: How does fashion week fit in  with our move towards a sustainable future? Jessica Davis nails it right on the head. Fashion Week is far from sustainable! It requires multiple journeys to attend fashion week; materials that are not deemed sustainable to set up the show, only to be discarded whilst the focus turns to the models.

In 2019, Extinct Rebellion formed a human blockade around the venues of London fashion week in order to call attention the large amount of carbon footprint wasted during these weeks of fashion. They put together a petition for the attention of the British Fashion Council (BFC). In this, they argued the dissolution of Fashion Week. They followed this by staging a funeral march calling for the event to end. Extinct Rebellion mourned for our future, a fitting movement topic considering the impact on our planet already. We continue to drown our world in a growing environmental footprint, damaging our people and planet.

However, is Extinct Rebellion being unrealistic? Arguably, it is hard to completely eradicate years of ingrained behaviour. Many of us have been raised to enjoy fast fashion, regardless of such factors like child labour, water and electricity consumption. We have been fashioned to aim to keep up with popular trends rather than create our own fashion. What about those that have dreamt about making it in the fashion industry and strive to get their work shown at fashion week to get a boost in their career?

So perhaps eradicating Fashion week is too big a move! Considering all the factors is paramount and the main one is fashion week can be made sustainable. Helsinki fashion week and the digitalisation of fashion week during the pandemic demonstrate the possibility of sustainability in fashion week. CRfashion notes that Helsinki aimed to go virtual before their businesses were forced to digitalise as a result of the pandemic and unpredictable lockdowns.  They have recently launched a digital village that will house their fashion Shows, buying and networking.

Helsinki is also said to filter through possible designers by inspecting the brands supply chain and their business models. They choose candidates that holistically desire sustainability. In line with this, they also hold speakers and panel discussions on sustainability and other necessary issues.

They are setting precedent from a greener future. Helsinki answers our prior question, saying yes, fashion week and sustainability can go hand in hand.

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Ethical clothing – Leading women in sustainable fashion

Sustainable fashion and ethical clothing are irrefutably invading the fashion industry all steam ahead and a lot of people are here for it! Why? Truth is, we have become more conscious of the effect of our actions on the safety of the environment. Sustainable fashion is redefining the concept of fashion as one of the most polluting industries in the world. Now we can indulge in our passion for fashion and put the planet first. But who is leading us into a sustainable future? Stella McCartney and Eva Kruse are leading women, in particular, who are dominating the sustainable frontier, bringing quality as well as eco-friendly clothes.

Stella McCartney:

Born in London, Stella McCartney has revolutionised sustainable fashion worldwide providing a platform upon which opens a conversation about fashion and its much-needed conversion to sustainability. As a lifelong vegetarian and animal activist, McCartney has continuously climbed the sustainable ladder never using leather, feathers, skin, or fur in any of her designs. In her fashion, she is proving to everyone that slow fashion can be beautiful, fashion forward and eco-friendly. From interning at Christian Lacroix and developing her skills at Edward Sexton, McCartney has gone on to showcasing her first collection in Paris in partnership with the Kering group; owning 51 stores in major cities including London, Manhattan, LA and Tokyo and pairing fashion with sportswear in her collaboration with adidas since 2005.

How ethical is Stella McCartney? If her position in the sustainable Apparel Coalition does not showcase her ethical stance, maybe it is her constant revision of the materials she uses in her fashion. In 2014, the Stella McCartney group changed from virgin cashmere to reengineered cashmere yarn. They were able to reduce their environmental impact by 11%. More of their sustainable changes can be found here.

Accordingly, during Covid-19 lockdown, McCartney pushed her environmental drive, spending the majority of it working on an A – Z Manifesto. She describes it as ‘a map of [her] DNA and a blueprint [their] future intentions’. These intentions include further minimizing their waste and use of raw materials and looking into vegan solutions to create more sustainable clothing while still maintaining a luxurious and desirable look.

A is for accountability according to Stella’s A – Z Manifesto and this leading woman is keeping herself and the rest of us accountable.

Eva Kruse:

The chief executive of Global Fashion Agenda, according to Business of Fashion, Eva Kruse is a recognised attribute to sustainable fashion. She is the face and voice behind the Copenhagen fashion scene as the director. Kruse also founded the Copenhagen Fashion summit, a large sustainable fashion event. Vogue describes this event to be ‘more critical than ever’ since covid-19 has exposed and forced the fashion industry to step back and rebuild its image more sustainably.

The Copenhagen fashion summit is steadily growing in importance being the gathering place for 1300 influential fashion directors and business owners. Eva Kruse created a foundation where like-minded individuals could congregate and discuss the future of sustainability and minimising the impact on people and the planet. Alongside the fashion week, she created the Danish Fashion Institute, taking sustainability across the ocean and putting Danish fashion on the map.

In her journey to sustainability, she recently announced that she will be rescinding her CEO position of Global Fashion Agenda to join Pangaia. She states that she aims to bring together her passion for material science and product design to create an impact.

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Sustainable fashion: 6 start-ups in Slow Fashion

You hear about fashion and naturally you imagine clothes, A runway and maybe New York fashion week. The industry is more diverse than it may seem and definitely growing in sustainability. A fashion career could mean anything: from executing a glamourous fashion show from any corner of the world to managing a fashion magazine in favour of sustainability.

Keep reading! The following, details some careers any fashion forward individual can get into!

Fashion Designer: 

  • Maybe you are a young Vera Wang or Michael Kors. Maybe you are simply you with a creative mind and original ideas. A fashion designer creates millions of different clothing and accessories to sell to the consumer. You will enjoy studying fashion trends; sketching designs; selecting fabrics and colour and patterns and direct the final product
  • Typically, you will discover a sector of design such as Sportswear that is if interest to you

Fashion Photographer:

  • You may not design but you do love to capture beautiful dresses in the best light. A fashion photographer takes pictures of the clothes or accessories you see in magazines, advertising campaigns or catalogues.
  • You are in charge of visually selling clothes and accessories and convincing the audience of the appeal and wearability of your client’s clothes.

 

 

 

Fashion illustrator:

  • In this competitive fashion career, you will be sketching or painting a fashion concept using any form of artistic technique such as water colour or markers.
  • As you may be bringing to life a concept not yet seen, your job requires accurately bring ideas to life on paper that completely represent the brand you are illustrating for. Most fashion illustrators work freelance, but you will work very closely with fashion designers or art directors

 

 

Fashion Stylist:

  • A fashion stylist your love for visuals is communicated in the clothes you style. You could work for an individual, a fashion house or brand. You oversee co-ordinating an outfit for photoshoots for adverts and campaigns or perhaps, for television and movies.
  • You may choose to be a personal stylist, one that you client will put complete trust in to uphold their public image.
  • This pressurised role requires an individual who thrives on fast paced environments and communication and collaboration with others

Fashion writer:

  • The saying ‘passion for fashion’ is arguably appropriate here. This role requires you to be impassioned by the designer and have imagination and creativity to write about a collection
  • A fashion designer working for a magazine keeps their audience and the collection in mind. No matter how passionate you are about the collection and designer, would your audience relate?
  • Similarly, to an illustrator, you paint a picture of the collection in the readers mind as well as provide an opinion of the collection

 

Fashion retail manager:

  • One that may not come straight to mind when we think of fashion is the job of a fashion retail manager.
  • Perhaps not as glamorous as all the other positions are imagined to be, this role is for those who love to sell clothes as well as envision themselves in a leadership position. You would be required to oversee the sales staff at a clothing store as well as conduct interviews and hire and train new employees.

 

 

Fashion has a multitude of careers to offer… So who are you? What impact do you want to make in the fashion industry? With the constant growth of the fashion industry and the environment, whatever path you choose, choose sustainability.

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The impact of Covid 19 on 6 sustainable companies

We do not need to tell you about the current corona virus pandemic we are facing. The fashion industry has taken a massive hit as clothing sales and demand have plummeted and retailers have closed, according to the BBC. Both the fashion and beauty industry have moved to utilising their digital platforms as shops close in accordance with government announced lockdowns and guidelines. However, Covid 19 has taught many brands about the importance of the environment and people. Therefore, sustainable Fashion industries and beauty brands could possibly increase our chances of succession nationwide post pandemic.

But how exactly have companies remained sustainable and dealt with the blow of the covid crisis? Keep scrolling…

Arket

In terms of sustainability, Arket embodies the term in their simple and functional Nordic tradition inspired fashion. With an aim to make sustainable fashion accessible, 76% of their ready-to-wear outfits and accessories are sustainably sourced with a commitment to becoming 100% sustainable by 2030.

Unfortunately, in response to Covid, Arket and its sister company H&M have had to close their stores. However, sustainability is still within your reach as they are utilising their online shop. They are currently providing customers 45 days extension to return the product after reopening, if bought at a local shop now recently closed. If items were purchased on the website between the 4 November and 18 December, it can be returned until 31 January

Levi’s

This well-known fashion brand finds importance in sourcing more sustainable materials and ways to use less water. Their most sustainable design collection is WellThread and promise us much more to come in their journey towards complete sustainability. An example of their sustainable endeavours is in their puffer jackets which are now made from recycled plastic bottles and waste. Who knew wearing plastic bottles could look so good?

Due to the pandemic, Levi fell 62% in the recent quarter spurring their aim to reduce reliance on retailers and sell more directly to consumers.

However, this doesn’t stop Levi’s who have made sure to give back to the community by providing financial help for those who want to make the world a better place. They have donated to voting rights organisations such as Black futured Lab, Fair Count and more.

Within their stores, they have taken measures including quarantining in store returned items for 24 hours before returning it to the sales floor. They have also allocated 72 hours of quarantine for clothes bought online. Finally, items that needing repair at their tailor shop must be washed prior.

 

Gabriela Hearst

Following her mission for sustainability, the store was built using natural nontreated reclaimed oak; became plastic free using compostable TIPA packaging and cardboard hangers and in 2020, she produced the first carbon neutral runway show!

In June 2020, her company and Net-a-Porter teamed up together to help fight against the Covid 19 through the sales of their beautiful handbags. 20% of their profits went to save the children’s global Corona virus response fund standing by her aim to give luxury shopping a purpose

In Harper’s Bazaar, she claimed that post corona virus, Fashion needs to change noting that the pandemic and recent Anti-racism protests have forced fashion to recognise how it could be destroying our environment than helping it

Lush

Lush is a beauty brand that aim to completely get rid of packaging, providing their customers with the ability to take a product home without any form of packaging. Although, if this is not possible, 90% of their packaging is recyclable and the they are working on the remaining 10.

Despite the pandemic, Lush stores have been reopened, though they are open in line with the government guide lines. Like most stores, theirs have marked out one-way system and spaced intervals for queuing. Their English and welsh stores also have NHS track and race QR codes for customers to scan when entering; their staff have been provided with a face covering and they have increased their cleaning regime

However, in Canada, their staff have been laid off and their senior leadership teams have taken a 25% salary cut but its digital business has been growing due to the closures. What makes them different is the online training to prepare staff for their reopening and they have launched a virtual consultation service for customers to book online and discuss their product.

The body shop

Whilst being a feminine brand, they also embody sustainable values. Talk about embodying the 21st century! They constantly review their product packaging focusing on using fewer plastic materials by using more plastic and plant-based materials. In 2019, they introduced a recycling programme and removed 21 tonnes of plastic from their Christmas gifts. By 2025, they aim to be 100% recyclable but are currently on 68%.

Similarly to most shops, orders are taking longer than usual to arrive due to the restrictions in place. Although, they have extended their return policy by 60 days and are working closely with delivery companies to ensure contact free delivery. Their England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the republic of Ireland stores are closed.

In response to the pandemic, Financial times have communicated that they have turned to employing self-employed sales consultants to ease the revenue loss from their closed stores due to the pandemic

 

True botanicals

The aim was to create skin care product that would not compromise the environment and people health. To do so, they focus on the ingredients of their products by prioritising certified organic and wild harvested ingredients. it is no surprise that they are the first beauty line to have been MADE SAFE certified, a nontoxic certification in the US!

We cannot ignore their giving back to the community during these times of struggle. They have donated 10% of their profits to a food bank in San Francisco. They also began a social campaign named #TRUTHREVEALED asking their followers to spread their message of anti-toxic messages to further create some positivity

Many brands have become digitised as a result of the pandemic and have cultivated optimising their online presence and relationship with their customers. Working with the body and the environment to produce and sell their products sustainable beauty and fashion industries are exemplifying why sustainability is the way forward and giving meaning to fashion and beauty other than a form of self-expression.

Want to join these brands in their move towards sustainability and further your career in fashion? Corsi Fashion provides virtual internships and online sustainable and branding courses. Give yourself something to do during this pandemic!

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