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Treasure Your Things

Everything we own was once a part of nature. Precious raw materials are taken from the earth, or grown from within it. That includes our clothes and accessories - that silky top, that cosy sweatshirt, those pointy shoes.

But raw materials are not in infinite supply, and the way we use them can be harmful, polluting our natural environment. It can be hard to know exactly what journey an item of clothing took before it arrived with us: how much energy and water was used; whose hands stitched it together, and were they paid fairly for their work?

That is why, in support of Fashion Revolution week from 19 to 25 April, NLWA is celebrating the growing movement of treasuring what you already have. So let’s cherish: 

  • The memories that our clothes and accessories hold.  
  • Heirlooms – precious clothing or accessories that you have inherited or that you would like to give to a loved one at some point.
  • Taking care of, mending, and extending the life of your clothes and accessories.
  • The joy of reusing a loved item of clothing.
  • And if buying something new, being mindful of the materials used, how it was made and where, and who made it.

If we take care of our clothes, they can last us a lifetime - or maybe more.

Here are some of the treasured things of Amma Aburam, Charlotte Moore, and Sophie Alexandra:

Amma wearing red suit

Timeless Style

Amma of Style and Sustain wears this red 70s vintage suit by OuiSet bought from one of her favourite online vintage stores, Retold Vinage. She says: 

"I feel so powerful when I wear it, especially if I have a speaking event or something where I have to be 100% in terms of confidence. It’s my favourite thing to wear to interviews. Needless to say, I got the job for the last interview I did wearing this. I love when clothes feel like real companions that help you brave the sometimes nerve-wracking moments of life. This suit is one of those outfits for me and as a vintage piece, it’s a unique and rare find that I will treasure for years to come."

Charlotte on skateboard

Swap with friends

Charlotte Moore says 'Trade your old stuff with your pals.' It can also be a way to try out a new style. She and her friend styled each other. She said:

"I tried Morgan’s laid back luxe and she tried - whatever you want to call my style. But, here’s the big Q. What pal would you LOVE to be styled by?"

Sophie wearing sweater

Clothes That Connect People

Sophie Alexandra discovered this gorgeous sweatshirt when doing some clearing out at her mum's house. It belonged to her grandfather in the 1930s and was his rowing top from his university college boat club. Her mum told her she could have it as long as she looked after it, and obviously never threw it away. She says:

"I was over the moon. It was so lovely to have something that connected him to me, even almost 100 years later, and 26 years since he passed away."

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Fashion Revolution Week marks the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh which killed 1,138 people and injured many more on 24 April 2013. This year, Fashion Revolution Week focuses on the interconnectedness of human rights and the rights of nature.

At the heart of NLWA’s work is a mission to help prevent waste in all its forms as well as encouraging sustainability and a circular use of resources. Preventing unnecessary and unecological waste, as well as the unsustainable extraction of virgin raw materials, is essential if we are to tackle the Climate Emergency.

Published date
19 April 2021

 

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