(opinion article)

The land we live on faces many challenges, and one of the least visible but extremely destructive is the impact of fast fashion. Once we bought clothes to wear for years, but now most things become disposable after a few days of wearing them. This is not just a trend; it is a real environmental disaster.

Fast fashion is an endless conveyor belt of cheap clothes that quickly ends up in a landfill. Behind this, at first glance, convenience hides a huge price for the planet. Textile production requires colossal volumes of water, and dyeing and processing chemicals are often thoughtlessly dumped into rivers, poisoning ecosystems and threatening human health.

Every year, tons of textile waste end up in landfills. Clothing made of synthetics, such as polyester, can decompose for hundreds of years, releasing microplastics. The whole process – from growing raw materials to recycling – generates significant amounts of greenhouse gases that accelerate climate change. In addition, behind the scenes of this industry there is often unfair work, where people work in dangerous conditions for a meager salary.

Fortunately, there is a bright ray of hope in this dark story. More and more people join the movement for ethical and ecological fashion, choosing conscious consumption. An excellent alternative to fast fashion are eco-brands that adhere to completely different principles. They use environmentally friendly materials – organic cotton, linen, recycled polyester. Their production is responsible: they seek to reduce the consumption of water and chemicals, minimize waste and use renewable energy sources.

Instead of disposable clothing, eco-brands offer quality items that will serve you for years, reducing the need for constant purchases. Real eco-brands are transparent: they openly talk about their production processes. By choosing clothes from them, you make an informed choice for the health of the planet, support ethical production and contribute to creating a sustainable future. Perhaps it’s time to think about what choices you make?

Фото: @skyout.clothes

I want to share great examples of modern upcycling, when old things get a new life. Ukrainian designers Oleksandr Pogrebnyi and Bohdan Kazynir combine traditional Ukrainian patterns with modern design, creating unique garments that are not only stylish, but also environmentally conscious.

A variety of materials are used to create products: from Soviet tapestries with traditional ornaments to modern fabrics with original prints. The most popular models with flowers, deer, mushrooms and other natural images.

Their work is an example of modern upcycling, when old things get a new life. It combines traditional Ukrainian patterns with modern design, creating unique garments that are not only stylish, but also environmentally conscious.