Updated: Mar 11
What is slow fashion?
Slow fashion is an approach to fashion that focuses on sustainable ways of designing and manufacturing clothing. Unlike fast fashion, slow fashion is a quality-based concept that encourages people to invest in pieces that may take longer to be manufactured, but also last longer because they are well-made.
Slow fashion involves sustainable materials, high-quality craftsmanship and artistry, functionality, fair working conditions and transparency.
Facts about fast fashion
Fast fashion is usually more affordable, but what is the real cost for our planet? Here are some of the most significant impacts that fast fashion has on the environment:
Accounts for 10% of all carbon emissions worldwide. That's more emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.
Is the 2nd largest consumer of water sources. That's mainly because a high number of garments are made from a highly water-intensive plant: regular cotton.
Pollutes oceans, rivers and streams with micro plastics - very small pieces of plastic that never biodegrade- . IA 2017 report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimated that 35% of all micro plastics in the ocean came from the laundering of synthetic textiles like polyester.
Up to 85% of textiles end up into landfills each year. The equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothes is burned or dumped in a landfill every second.
There is a plethora of eco-friendly options today and technology has played a vital role on this. However, there are some difficulties new fashion designers and small brands face. Two of the main issues are: cost and supply chain.
Sustainable materials tend to be more expensive than regular materials, and this might be intimidating. Additionally, finding transparent, local and flexible suppliers is not easy, especially for international brands outside the big fashion capitals.
Fast fashion brands showcase multiple collections within a year, usually mass-produced abroad, under unfair working conditions and low wages. Unsafe facilities, long shifts, exploitation of children workers are some of the consequences of fast fashion manufacturing.
Slow fashion on the other hand, approaches manufacturing in a more sustainable way. Clothing is made on demand (also known as made-to-order), meaning that manufacturing starts only when the order is received. Delivery times may be longer, but the garments are well-made, production is usually kept locally and thus there is better control over quality. Waste and carbon footprint are also eliminated as a consequence.
How we approach fashion at The NP Studio
The NP Studio is a sustainable, slow-fashion label with bold social values. Mixing urbanism with nature, we create high-end streetwear pieces that are kind to our planet, people & animals.
1) Sustainable Materials
At The NP Studio, we have been continually searching and experimenting with upcycled and new eco-friendly materials and we've managed to build strong relationships with our suppliers. Some of the fibers we use are: Regen (recycled fabrics), Tanboocel-Bamboo, Supima Cotton, Organic Cotton and Dead Stock.
2) Low-impact production
All our items are made-to-order, in an effort to eliminate our waste and carbon footprint. We produce locally and pay fair wages.
Details matter to us. Most of our pieces are hand-crafted and made to last for a long time. The inside of a garment is equally important to its outside.
4) Gender Inclusivity
We love making garments that are functional and universal. Our design philosophy is totally gender-neutral and is equally tailored to apply to every-body. Self-expression is what inspires us and we believe it also guides our community.
Explore our eco-friendly pieces here.
Learn more about us here.