There’s No More “Us vs. Them”
Friends, it’s 2020. At the dawn of this new decade, it’s important that we pause and reflect on the progress made in the ethical fashion movement thus far, as well as where we collectively continue to fall short. I don’t think there is a question in anyone’s mind as to the significance that the next decade will hold in creating a more fair and more sustainable global fashion industry.
As we start 2020, there is an unprecedented number of people aware of the negative impacts that the fashion industry is responsible for. The clear lack of sustainability shown in our shopping habits, paired with the use of harmful chemicals and materials in the creation of our clothing is advancing climate change in an undeniable way.
Fortunately, there are a number of incredible fashion brands, organizations, and movements that are working toward more sustainable supply chains and practices. There are more brands that would label their work as “sustainable” today than any other time in history.
And yet, this is still not enough.
I feel like one of the greatest challenges that continues to plague the movement toward ethical fashion is a lack of unity and collaboration. Today, most companies are more worried about promoting their version of sustainability than they are about advancing the sustainability and positive ethics of the industry as a whole.
You could easily identify the past decade of ethical fashion as an exercise in Us vs. Them theory. The sustainable brands wanted to set themselves apart and distance themselves from the “other” groups that could be loosely categorized as big corporations and/or simply unethical businesses. One was good. One was bad.
Today, most companies are more worried about promoting their version of sustainability than they are about advancing the sustainability and positive ethics of the industry as a whole.
In our current standing, these lines continue to become more blurry. Are the smaller sustainability initiatives of larger corporations creating a larger impact than the smaller businesses who operate solely out of a mindset of sustainability and ethical production? These are the questions we are left with when we continue to pit both sides against each other.
As we look forward, we believe it’s time to take a new approach. Our belief at KNOWN SUPPLY is that EVERYONE should have access to ethical fashion and merchandise for their organizations. There is no more “Us vs. Them”. There are only businesses wanting to use their platform to make a positive impact in the world in whatever way they can and shoppers looking to do the same.
That’s why we are making the commitment to helping as many individuals and businesses experience the benefits of ethical and sustainably made clothing. We are here to be a bridge, to help onboard and supply anyone with the ethical clothing they need to further their mission and align their values.
We will be planning a number of initiatives throughout the year to help make this a reality. But in the meantime here are 3 concrete ways we are doing this now…
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