More and more brands and initiatives are popping up on an almost daily basis, all with a mission to slow down fashion and reduce the industry’s impact on the environment. In Egypt, brands like Minimal Cotton and Wekala have brought the idea of conscious fashion to the region once more.
In the UAE you have brands like The Giving Movement and Abadia that offer locally-made, ethical and sustainable pieces. Consumers are being encouraged to buy pre-loved clothes and accessories, and we’re all trying to be a bit more aware of where things come from, how they’re made, and the real cost of their production.
While the slow fashion trend has certainly made its way to the Middle East, visible mending is still a foreign concept to most. It’s only just gaining momentum abroad, along with other environmentally and socially conscious movements like minimalism.
But we think the region is more than ready for a trend that is not only kind on the environment, but also on your bank account. What’s even more appealing is that it gives worn and weary clothes a whole new life; that sweatshirt that you’ve owned for 20 years and love more than your right leg doesn’t need to be thrown away, but you can actually mend it in a way that adds to its beauty and charm.
The Japanese have a long tradition of visible mending, from repairing broken ceramics with gold, known as Kintsukuroi, to a type of stitching called Sashiko. They believe that there is beauty in scars and that they shouldn’t be hidden. Repairs are made in a way that highlights and embellishes, turning what could be considered ugly into something beautiful.
Conscious fashion doesn’t have to be a burden, and it doesn’t have to be ugly. We all have a part to play in making the world a better place, and the way we shop is one of the few things that are in our hands. What you buy and where you buy from matters. What you do with the things you’ve bought matters. So the next time you find a hole in one of your favorite t-shirts, just patch it up!