The Power of Global Intersectionality and Cultural Heritage in Slow Fashion USA
At its core, Slow Fashion USA advocates for a shift away from the disposable nature of fast fashion. All our actions have revolved around our values, whether by slowing down our shopping, rewearing clothing, or sharing pieces with our community. We also make sure to take conscious fashion choices that prioritize environmental and social sustainability, while still encouraging individuals to join our slow fashion community and national educational campaigns, such as Dress for the Earth.
The Power of Intersectionality in a Global Slow Fashion Movement
One of the greatest strengths of working as a national team under Slow Fashion Movement lies within its intersectionality. Intersectionality recognizes that social and environmental issues are interconnected and that addressing them requires an inclusive and multifaceted approach. As a team, we trust our ambassadors as leaders and experts in many different fields, ranging from corporate sustainability to agriculture, coming together to address the crucial issues in the industry. We have a stronger chance of collective empowerment when we acknowledge the overlapping systems of oppression and discrimination faced by individuals across the globe. This is especially important when people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and identities come together to take unified action against fast fashion, which affects them all differently.
Taking the time to listen to each other and learn from our experiences are crucial for this to happen. Sharing our knowledge and experiences will not only inspire others to adopt a slow fashion lifestyle, it also personifies a fashion industry often fraught with material things saturated in abstract symbolism and mythical meaning. Having deeper meaning and personal stories in fashion is essential to craftsmanship and cultural significance, which sets slow fashion apart from mass-produced alternatives. Its an ongoing, holistic approach to further advocate for a better industry where we can work together and more cohesively on many different present-day issues.
Respecting Cultural Heritage in Slow Fashion USA
Another essential aspect of Slow Fashion USA is the preservation and celebration of cultural heritage. Traditional craftsmanship and indigenous knowledge have often been exploited by the fashion industry without proper acknowledgment or compensation. Fast fashion brands are especially known to do this, and often sell their products to privileged consumers in the Global North. This national team seeks to honor slow fashion in a way to rectify this by fostering partnerships that respect and honor cultural traditions.
By collaborating directly with artisans and communities across the globe, we hope cultural heritage is preserved and celebrated. This will hopefully empower marginalized communities and promote cross-class, intergenerational transfer of skills and knowledge in Slow Fashion Movement. It will also help preserve traditional craftsmanship techniques that are at risk of being lost in the face of mass production. We encourage you to reject notions of consumption as a route to fulfillment, and instead take time to observe and appreciate the world around us - one filled with beautiful communities and traditions.
Together We Are Stronger
Slow Fashion Movement is a testament to the power of collective action. By working together, organizations, designers, artisans, and consumers can challenge the dominant fast fashion narrative. As Slow Fashion USA, we may have wrapped up our first national campaign, but as individuals, we still hold immense power together. By making conscious choices and supporting slow fashion initiatives, we send a clear message to the industry that we prioritize sustainable alternatives. So let's engage in dialogue, share knowledge, and support initiatives that promote intersectionality and cultural heritage to create a brighter fashion industry, and movement.
Together, we can build a future where fashion is not just an expression of style, but a vehicle for positive social and environmental transformation. Slow Fashion Movement is a beacon towards a better fashion industry for both people and the planet. This global NGO is grounded in important values to slow down, choose consciously and to connect. Together, what emerged has been a powerful movement driving positive change across the world.
Slow Fashion USA is a national team dedicated to building this movement on a national level. We invite you to join the movement by applying to be an ambassador for one of our groups!
Written by Elle Magaña Mireles
Elle Magaña Mireles is a Latinx ethical fashion writer with a strong conviction that clothing can be a powerful tool for creating a more equitable and compassionate world. In her free time, Elle pours her energy into her sustainable fashion blog, Sustainable Amor, immerses herself in nature, and eagerly pursues coursework on social justice.