”Sustainability within fashion is about pairing ethics with aesthetics”
Vegan leather is having a moment. Never before has fashion and morality become so entwined, as nowadays it’s not just the style of an item that deems it ‘cool’ but the production, ethics and sustainability factors behind it. And don’t just take our word for it – a poll conducted by Nielsen (nielsen.com) found that 66 per cent of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable goods, while the vegan leather market is set to be worth $85 billion globally by 2025, according to a report by business consultancy Grand View Research (grandviewresearch.com). With numerous clothing companies catching onto this and taking their responsibilities as a brand seriously, getting cruelty-free and conscious about our wardrobes is on the rise. At the forefront of this movement is Canadian vegan accessories brand, Matt & Nat. We caught up with president and owner, Manny Kohli, to talk about ethical style.
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June 2019
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About Be Kind
Hello,
Fashion has always been a strong form of expression for me; I’ve pored over glossy issues of Vogue from a young age, and get a thrill when the seasons change, and with them, the excuse to spend on new and exciting pieces for my wardrobe. With the rise and ease of shopping online it has become easier and quicker to get my hands on the latest styles, and it’s with a mixture of shame and excitement I go and collect my deliveries from the post room at work. But recently I realised the frequency and level of my spending was getting out of control – ‘I can just send it all back’,
I’d foolishly reason with myself. It wasn’t until I read about the environmental impact of the fashion industry that I started to think about the part I was playing myself. Those next day deliveries have to be picked, packed and couriered, using man power and fuel. The bargain £5 tops come at a greater price, too – how can workers possibly be getting paid fairly to make them? And the fabrics surely can’t be ethically-sourced either? Fast fashion is alluring and tempting – it’s a quick and easy way to make us feel good, temporarily, but the damage it’s doing to the environment doesn’t sit well with me. So, I’ve vowed to make a change and to choose more sustainable ways to shop. This month we’ve looked into the issues surrounding fashion, from body image to throwaway culture, and found alternative ways for you to enjoy clothes, whilst being kinder to the planet.
Have a great month,
Phillipa
Editor