With everyone spending more time in their homes and reflecting on the kind of year 2020 has been, a lot of us may have been forced to slow down and really change the way we used to do things, including the way we consume and shop for ourselves and our families. With this, our team here at Frankie and Friends General Store has come up with simple and easy ways to understand and jumpstart your journey to conscious consumption, and being more mindful in what you purchase. You may have heard or associated this with "Slow Fashion" or "Sustainable Fashion", so let's break it down to five areas:
1) A lifestyle that looks at the people, process, and resources used in producing the items
The starting point of slow and sustainable pieces is in the shift of perspective from "mindlessly" buying anything and everything you may like on an impulse (or sale), to an intentional process of thinking about who, where, and how the products are being created. It is often associated to slow living as you tend to step back and really get to know the stories behind the products on the shelves just as much as its purpose.
2) Staple Items that have longevity and are made from sustainable, high quality material.
How many times have we disposed of clothes, shoes, bags, that have broke or torn with just a few uses? We often don't think about how fast some items we buy are being made, that there's less attention to detail and quality given when it is being manufactured. Not to mention the amount of plastic and waste that add up and pollute our environment. Slow and Sustainable products usually go through more thorough quality control measures and better accessibility in improving the product, since the creators are closer to home and more hands on, compared to big chain fashion brands that have standardized the supply chain and manufacturing to maximize efficiency rather than quality.
3) Pieces from small (local) stores than big chain "fast fashion" establishments.
It is great is to know origin stories and causes that your products have and support. Slow and sustainable products have an aspect that is personal, homegrown, and works closely with nearby neighborhoods and communities. There's something beautiful and nostalgic when you wear or have something that reminds you of your hometown, a virtue that you uphold, or a cause you advocate. What's better is also buying from a neighbor, a fellow small business owner, or even a good friend.
4) Produced in small batches and promotes minimalist consumption vs mass production.
Another great trait about slow and sustainable fashion is how it is produced in much smaller quantities and batches. This not only makes the product you buy limited, but it also makes it extra special since there's only a few of it in the whole world. No more attending gatherings and showing up wearing the exact same dress! These small-batch pieces are unique, one-off, and made with so much thought to its user. This cultivates a mindset of minimalism and appreciation of every single slow fashion item you have, rather than hoarding as much as you can, just because you wouldn't want to miss out on a sale or cause of mass marketing techniques that make you jump in and buy the next fashion trend (even if it isn't really your style).
Minimalism doesn't mean you only buy basic or plain things. It is buying from a place of contentment and being intentional in your purchases (supporting a maker's story, wearing a local designer whose art piece speaks to you, etc.)
5) Uses ethical standards and humane treatment in the sourcing and manufacturing process.
We've heard countless stories of inhumane treatment in sweatshops (slipping SOS notes in pockets of clothing), cruel experiments done on animals, and tons of plasitc and waste dumped in our oceans, just to increase bottom line and reduce cost of goods. What slow and sustainable production aspires to achieve is a culture that doesn't cut corners, dehumanize any person, or harm the environment for the sake of profit. The irony of "Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)" is that every business should start from social responsibility and solving a problem, and should not be just an add-on.
Whatever your shopping choices may be, this is in no way to impose a slow and sustainable lifestyle. Our products here at
Frankie and Friends General Store are beautiful and functional just as much as they are meaningful. My hope is that this marketplace helps you make more intentional and thoughtful purchases by taking small steps, like adding #MeaningfulMustHaves on your Christmas list and buy less "stuff", more meaning. 🌾 We have curated some products and made it accessible to you. Our physical community stores are at R2 Power Plant Mall, Makati City and 2F SM Aura Premier, BGC Taguig. You can shop
online from anywhere in the world and we'll deliver right to your doorstep.
Love,
Jammy ✨
P.S I am also just starting a more mindful and minimalist mindset when it comes to my purchases. I love meeting and collaborating with local artisans at Frankie and Friends and beyond. Here are some references that helped me in my journey to a more slow and sustainable lifestyle:
