Julie Allen-6/5/21
Why we are making the switch.
It was December 2020, I was headed into our nearly 5,000 square foot warehouse to go on live selling with over 100 new items. I walked into the back of the warehouse, and it hit me. I stopped and for once looked at what was in front of me. Row after row of cheaply made items and so much plastic. Plastic hangers, plastic wrap, it was literally everywhere. I realized in that moment that in my effort to serve one cause of anti diet culture, and size inclusion, I was inadvertently contributing to another problem. Fast fashion is destroying our planet. The issues of pollution, waste, and the unethical treatment of the human beings that made all of these clothes finally hit me.
We were part of the problem. We were contributing in a massive way to fast fashion and all of the problems it brings in our world. This idea of "more more more'' mentality thrives in the fast fashion world.
I love fashion. I love expressing myself through the clothing that I choose to put on my body, but I loathe fast fashion. And I was part of the problem.
It was in that moment that I realized we needed to change. We could not keep going in the direction we were headed. Shifting away from fast fashion to slow fashion has been a major challenge for our business. But we are committed to providing sustainable, size inclusive stylish options for people with respect to humans, the environment, and animals. We are in the process of designing our own size inclusive, classic with a bit of edge, sustainable, ethically made, size inclusive line. We have to be the change we want to see in the world. Turning a blind eye to big issues will not solve anything. Yes, our business has suffered with this change. And no, I have zero regrets about making this switch too slow fashion.
True beauty of the power of a woman
Disrupt the fashion industry. This is not okay. We will no longer be part of the problem. We know better, so damnit, we are committed to doing better.
Photography by Sierra_selene_
Thankful for you all. Please keep being open to learning. We will not change without making mistakes. Be open, learn, and change your actions to match your words.
Article credit : Julie Allen. CEO, Mary Rose NW Boutique. Founder, Mary Rose Foundation. Author and Eating Disorder Awareness Activist
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