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The word ‘ethical’ has become extremely important and a fixture in fashion recently. With customers looking for quality over quantity more and more, it’s no wonder this change is having such a positive impact on the wardrobes of so many people. Ethical brands are making space for their customers looking to merge ethical practices through clothing and their general lifestyles. It goes without saying that the increase in eco-brands is also helping to bring balance to the environmental scale. Consumers often want to participate and purchase from the sustainable fashion world but struggle to know how to – which is absolutely fine as we all have to start somewhere! We spoke with ethical and eco-friendly fashion designer, Anya Willique, who has shared her thoughts on how to shop responsibly.




Slowing down our consumption when it comes to buying into fashion is extremely important. I’m a firm believer of taking on the concept of slow fashion and ditching fast fashion purchasing! Ultimately, buying into a fast-fashion trend is terrible for our planet and won’t do your individual style any favours.

I’d suggest trying your hand at a 21-day fast from fast-fashion. This means not buying anything new for 21 days. After this, see exactly what you have in your wardrobe and accessories drawer that you really love. You’ll be surprised how many things you have that you forgot about and will wear more often after you re-discover them!

When you buy an item or a piece of clothing, try to consciously think about how it would have affected the environment when making that piece. Think about the people who have made it – do you think they have good enough working conditions and pay? If you’re unsure, I’d highly suggest researching where brands make their various collections and make an informed decision. Also, make an educated guess on how long that item will last in your wardrobe or accessories draw.

Focusing on true style over trends is a great way to change your thought process when buying responsibly. Create a style that’s unique to you, using pieces that are timeless and also help the environment. Choosing style over trends will often reduce the amount of clothing that sits in landfills which is a huge issue at the moment. Consumers are certainly becoming more aware of this, but we still have a long way to go.

Environmentally friendly and conscious brands can be slightly more expensive; however, the pieces are guaranteed to last longer. Eco-friendly pieces take time and care to construct, ensuring that they won’t be a one-wear item. Think about investing in brands and items that you can pass along/down or treasure for a long time.

Caring for your clothes and accessories mindfully and in a conscious way, will ensure your pieces last much longer. Try not to wash them so regularly and where possible, use dust bags – these are a great way to make sure pieces don’t get damaged in your wardrobe.

Doing a small amount of research into ethical brands before buying is also extremely important. Have a look to see if they are ethically manufactured and support their locals. Try not to just research the fabrics and where they are sourced. Try to find out if brands use factories that train and employ local residents in their community – Ensure your purchase will help others!

Avery Parker