It costs less than ever before to look fashionable and many of us buy lots of new pieces of clothing each year, knowing the resources needed to create new garments is harming both the planet and the people behind the sewing machines.
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology senior lecturers Jackie Brown and Debra Laraman are serious about conscious consumption and say in a world where there is more than enough stuff, we should utilise existing resources more to reduce waste and carbon emissions.
The pair has interviewed 72 women over the age of 45 about their shopping habits and will present their findings at the upcoming Fashion Feasting event at the Windermere Campus' Atrium space.
Laraman's career in fashion and design spans over 30 years. She completed a masters focused on eco fashion in 2009 and continued her work and practice in sustainable fashion.
Over the years, she has managed fashion and creative programmes in the tertiary sector, presented internationally, and held solo and group exhibitions on eco fashion to educate consumers and raise awareness. She often speaks at eco fashion events and provides workshops on request.
"Buying an upcycled or preloved product means you are helping the environment. You can enjoy guilt free consumption knowing you are not contributing to the waste stream and you are saving natural resources. Did you know that growing enough cotton to make one T-shirt takes more than 2000 litres of water? That's enough for one person to drink for 900 days," she explains.
Passionate about connecting conscious consumers and sellers that feature sustainable fashion, Laraman and Brown have recently focused their research on mature women's shopping habits.
