Slow Fashion
How one woman run company is changing the fashion industry.
The secret to the perfect wardrobe and how making wise clothing purchases can help the environment, your pocket book, and your self esteem.
Les Lunes is a sustainable fashion company that is changing the way women think about their wardrobe. If you are like me the concept of Slow Fashion is a relatively new one, my fashion purchases are often hurried and stressful.
The Five main criteria I look for when shopping for an essential is:
- Fit: Self explanatory, but easier to find for sweaters than for pants.
- Flatter: Does it hide the bits I don’t like and accentuate the ones I do?
- Function: Does it meet my needs; for business, for that cocktail party, for exercise, etc.?
- Comfort: Does it bind? itch? pinch? or can I move freely in it?
- Quality/Price: Will it last? Is it reasonably priced?
I’m lucky if I can find two out of the five in any garment, but I should also be thinking about a sixth criteria that is missing from above:
Is it ethically made?
Slow Fashion takes into account a number of factors, from raw materials to production to longevity in your wardrobe. In order for a garment to last and not end up in the landfill, it has to support you, it has to make you feel good when you put it on, it needs to fulfill all six of the criteria.
Sound impossible? It isn’t. Les Lunes is filling the void. But they aren’t stopping there. They are promoting self-confidence, positive body image and counseling wise purchasing choices.
“Every step, every stitch, made with integrity.” -LL.
Why should we care? Throw away fashion accounts for a large percentage of waste clogging our landfills; it is responsible for exploited factory workers, sweatshops, and the overuse of pesticides, desertification, soil erosion, etc. It is a big bad ugly. But thanks to brands like Les Lunes, you can make a difference.
Don’t be wooed by trends. Build your wardrobe like a French woman by choosing classic quality staples that stand the test of time; pencil skirts, sweaters, the perfect summer dress, etc.
Choose colors that give you a healthy glow and keep your look fresh by embellishing with accessories. Instead of leopard print tights that will be a one and done, choose a leopard print scarf that will be a fun addition through the years. This way when the mood has passed you don’t have a wardrobe full of useless garments that make it to the landfill.
By only choosing quality pieces that are versatile, flatter your figure, and that will weather passing trends, you won’t be wasting money on throw away fashion.
Okay, that is all well and good but what about ethically made?
Les Lunes is using fabrics sourced from Bamboo. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on earth, it improves soil quality, prevents soil erosion, requires little water, and grows without pesticides or herbicides. The resulting fabric is incredibly soft and wears well.
But ethically made doesn’t stop at using a renewable raw resource.
To ensure ethical accountability the company is vertically integrated, maintaining full control from the first draft to the hand of the customer. All of their collections are tailored in their privately owned workshop. Owned, managed and run by women the company culture places a strong emphasis on a healthy lifestyle and work environment. Les Lunes recognizes that every member of its team is essential.
“A company is a family; everyone is important.” -Anna Lecat, CEO Les Lunes
How does my wardrobe affect my confidence?
We all have ‘the outfit’ that immediately makes us feel like the best version of ourselves. What if every outfit in your wardrobe made you feel this way? Feeling confident is a precursor to success, the feeling of confidence also reduces stress aiding in a healthier you.
The Les Lunes team encourages responsible purchasing; they want you to fall in love with each item so that it will remain a favorite in your wardrobe for years to come. Emphasis is on color and creating a flattering silhouette. By only choosing thoughtful quality clothes you reduce the clutter in your wardrobe. Imagine if every piece of clothing was your favorite! Mornings would be a breeze.
It is time to change the way the fashion industry impacts the world, and that change is happening with Les Lunes. And now you.
“The clothes are there to support the wearer, we were not there to fit them.” -Melanie Viallon, CCO Les Lunes
