TALA'S BLACK FRIDAY PLEDGE
Black Friday. The biggest sales event of the year in the retail and fashion industry. Filled with discounted prices, a spoiling of choice, and countless deals. But what does this 4-day event (including Cyber Monday) mean for our environment? In this edit of TALA TALKS, we’ll be breaking down the effects of the industry and why it is so important to shop consciously during this period.
SLOW FASHION VS FAST FASHION
So, what's the difference?
Fast fashion brings multiple collections to the market at once in a very short time frame at the lowest price possible. These collections are often influenced by high-end fashion trends or celeb outfits, making them more attractive to the consumer. However, the quick turnaround required to bring products to market quickly often equals shorter production timelines with huge quantities of stock to produce, putting enormous pressure on workers to meet the brands’ deadlines.
On average, according to the Waste and Resources Action (WRAP), 30% of fast fashion clothing remains unworn, and ends up going to landfill in less time than it takes to complete the garment’s production process from start to finish. Think of all the money, energy and resources wasted!
At TALA, our slow fashion approach combines research from market trends with wearability and sustainability at the forefront. Our production process includes a great deal of planning and research into sustainable materials and processes, and it can take 6 months+ to bring a product to market. All of our clothing and accessories are designed to provide accessible, on-trend alternatives to fast fashion, whilst never compromising on style or sustainability.
The good news is, we’re taking steps every day to lead the way in sustainable style, committing ourselves to environmentally friendly, ethical production, even during sales and promo events.
CLOTHES TO LANDFILL?
What does this actually mean?
Sending clothes to landfill prevents them from breaking down quickly, meaning they release greenhouse gases such as methane as they decompose, contributing to climate change. The clothing industry has the fifth largest environmental impact of any UK business sector. Around 30% of clothing in the average household has not been worn for over a year (WRAP) with the average item of clothing in the UK being used just 7 times before being thrown out.
We will never, ever send our clothes to landfill, and will always try to find them a good home. Our products are manufactured with high quantities of certified recycled materials to ensure our footprint is as low as possible.
SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES
Creativity. Innovation. Original ideas. Small, sustainable businesses are the future!
Businesses, large or small, contribute to the economy by providing employment opportunities and a platform for innovation and growth. Supporting small, sustainable businesses means you have the opportunity to really understand where your products are coming from, and to help make a difference.
The pandemic has afforded many people the time to create new concepts and materialise them, disrupting industries with innovative products, and pushing sustainability to the forefront. Communication between the customer and the brand can feel much more personal when connecting with a small business. Their purpose is filled with passion, meaning they can really listen to their customers, and adapt and improve quickly based on feedback.
Everyone starts from somewhere, and by supporting a small, sustainable business even just with one purchase, you’re helping to disrupt the industry by voting with your money.
TALA'S BLACK FRIDAY PLEDGE
At TALA, we will never create products specifically for Black Friday sales, or any other discount opportunity. On this Black Friday and the next (and the next!), we will always drive awareness of the impact of fast fashion and Black Friday shopping to encourage consumers to shop sustainably and to only buy what they need. We will never send our clothing or accessories to landfill and all promotions we offer are to help find our products a good home and provide a sustainable alternative to fast fashion sales. Any sales and promos we do offer will never impact the cost we pay our suppliers for the product or the wages of our workers.