I'm working on some Modal Jersey's & Burnouts.  

After reading such a sad article today regarding the toxic dye runoff into Mexico's rivers, I'm disappointed in Levi's.  I thought they were an honest company that would stand up in making sure they were committed to restoring the environment and protecting our natural resources, but they are no better than any other jean manufacturer out there.  

They state their values are to protect the environment, but yet Levi’s are directly linked to the use and discharge of hazardous chemicals into Mexican rivers.

“From the way we make our products to how we run the company, we’re committed to restoring the environment. Consumers expect this from us, employees demand it, and the planet requires it.”

Unfortunately, they are not living up to their promises to their customers, workers or the environment.  These toxic chemicals are not only affecting the rivers, but are killing our eco system all the way out to the oceans.  We are all negatively affected by toxic chemicals that are polluting and disrupting mother earth.  This discharge runs 24 hours a day, and turns the rivers into toxic hormone disruptors that are passed on to the fish we eat and the water we drink.  This madness has to stop, and apparel manufacturers have the power and the global responsibility to make postive change on how they manufacturer their products.  Unfortunately, their greed has overshadowed their values.  

It is possible for manufacturers to be environmentally conscience and still be profitable, but our mindset has to shift.  Too many company's are pursuaded by, "cheap and fast fashion" that they are sacrficing the quality in their products.  

On the other hand look at Patagonia.  They are able to make quality products with out sacrificing the environment.  They make all their products with 100% organic cotton, and their jeans are made in sweatshop free conditions.  They hold true to their word, and donate 1% to the environment.  They also allocate a percentage of their net sales to local environmental non-profits. I chose to support to Patagonia, because they do not hide their manufacturing facilities to the public, and they disclose all of their manufacturing information to the public.  If only other companies would follow in their footsteps, the world would be a cleaner place. 

For now, this leaves me with the right to stop shopping at Levi's until they clean up their act.  It's our duty as customers to support clean manufacturing companies and shop at places that protect the environment.   

Here is a Western Tiger swallowtail that I took a picture from my backyard and thought I would share with you all.  Did you know like many butterflies, the Western Tiger swallowtail drinks from mud, getting minerals as well as water! 

There is a major flaw in the fashion industry, and that flaw is fast fashion.  There is an ever increasing demand for cheap, mass marketed clothing, but as consumers you have a choice not to participate in this madness.  

"Fast fashion involves high speed and high volume production, consumption, and disposal. It’s a system where the consumer is intentionally alienated and veiled from the real production processes, particularly the negative ethical and environmental impacts. This cultivates a passive consumer who happily consumes at alarming rates, most of which heads straight to landfill, " according to Jessica Robertson, A Bit Slow.

Fast fashion is compared to fast food, because there is really no difference.  I was once guilty in supporting places like H&M, Victoria Secret, Forever 21, Target and Zara and I have finally opened my eyes to realize that I am supporting a movement of fast fashion that I don't even believe in.  When I was in college, I was that person who once thought that buying 30 items of clothing for $100 was a really great deal.  After this past year when I started LLA,  I have decided to change my fashion habits.  After working in the industry for fast fashion, you realize that it's really no different than the fast food industry.  After college, I stopped eating fast food all together.  One day, after getting terribly sick from In & Out, I realized these fast food chains don't do anything positive for my total mind, body, and soul.  They use meat that is not certified organic, and animals were being sacrificed for cheap hamburgers.  The only thing I could do to make a difference was not to participate anymore.  I can't change your mind on what you eat or buy, but I know that cutting this out of my life was the right step for me.  

After this year, I felt the same way about fast fashion companies.  Even though, I love to go into Zara and see what H&M has to offer for fashion, I realized that participating in this chaotic environment only makes me more clouded in my decisions to purchase something that I don't need. 

H&M, claims to have changed some of it's ethical practices, but they don't own any of their factories they only contract them out.  Until they begin to own their factories abroad to control or elimate labor abuse, they have not convinced me that they are an ethical company.  H&M sells over 550 million garments every year, and their net quarterly profits are over $412 million.  It's a big industry, and it's not going out of business anytime soon.  Forever 21, is another unethical company that may say " made in the U.S." on a portion of their clothing, but have been caught for unfair labor practices in factories right her in Los Angeles. Don't be fooled that made in America always means fair labour practices.  You have to do your homework on these fast fashion companies, and you really have to educate yourself.   Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Victoria Secret, Toy "R" us, Forever 21, and 70 other big name apparel companies are all involved in child labor issues. 

In order for change, we need to educate ourselves. We as consumers have a choice, and fast fashion is being challenged by a slow down, less quantity, and more overall quality.   Sometimes people are so crazy about price, but if we saved more, and bought less we would have enough for items we actually need in our wardrobe that will last longer.   We now buy 40% of all our clothes at value retailers, with just 17% of our clothing budget,"   (according to TNS World panel)

Now that we know the problem, how can we help support slow fashion and where can we find it? 

First of all, you need to understand what slow fashion is, and where to find it.  Slow fashion, in my opinion is similar in buying food that is organic, cage free, and ethically produced to everyone involved.  Slow-fashion design is environmentally and socially responsible because it utilizes local materials,suppliers, and producers while honoring traditional skills and knowledge.  Slow fashion is truly a more sustainable, and ethical way of producing apparel.  Yes, slow fashion is not the main stream, but you can spot one out a mile away.  They have a connection to their clothing, and they are similar to that of the "slow food movement." People who support the slow fashion movement, want to feel a connection to what they are buying, and focus on what  materials are being used.  Slow fashion helps the consumer celebrate the artistry of the designer, and the purchase something that is not mass marketed.  To find slow fashion, start by supporting a local artist and purchasing more "one of a kind" pieces in your local boutiques that support local designers.  Companies that have slow fashion opening tell their story and disclose their manufacturing process.  There is no hidden agendas.  

Here are some simple things you can do to support slow fashion: 

• Upcycle- the most sustainable product is one that already exists
• Buy vintage or second-hand clothing, or have clothing swaps with your friends! Re-use and recycle!
• Know the origin of the apparel you are buying
• Know the fibers you are looking at and buy fibers that are not harmful to the environment
• Buy Fair Trade
• Buy locally

Some of LLA's Ethical Slow Fashion Companies & Websites:

Groceries, Ethical Ocean, Raven & Lily, Made by Voz, Alternative Apparel, Patagonia, Threads 4 Thought, Loomstate , Etsy, eco-chick, Ecouterre

I love to travel, and I think it's very important to be able to chose the right sustainable and or ecological products to use on your vacation.  I found these awesome accessories to go along with your LLA travel scarf on your next destination to Bali!  Sometimes it's difficult to find sustainable or fair traded accessories in the main stream stores today.  Luckily, these companies offer wonderful websites where you can buy awesome one of a kind items on the web!  Keep checking back on my blog for more unique eco items!  It's important to support locally made, cruelty free, and eco products!!!  

1) Mikuti bracelets; Banana Bark from Tanzania,

2) Pansy Maiden Cruelty Free Purse

3) Oswald Bamboo eco glasses

4) Eco Logical Sunscreen

5) LLA Sustainable Scarf