Buy pre-loved, do clothes swaps and sew: Joining the slow fashion movement

Georgie Desailly, who works in journalism, also became a devotee of ethical fashion after learning of the dangers of the industry through documentaries. One of them, Clothes to Die For, detailed the 2013 collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh, which housed garment factories. As a result, more than 1100 people died and more than 2400 were injured.

“I just remember feeling this overwhelming sense of utter guilt and confusion as to how something I loved so much was having such a negative social and environmental impact,” the 20-year-old says.

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Georgie started to embrace “slow fashion”. “My first choice is always to buy pre-loved; have clothes swaps with friends, and try my hand at sewing any garments I can repurpose before buying something new,” she says. If she still wants something new, she refers to the Good on You – Ethical Fashion app, which rates a brand’s social and environmental impact.

Georgie says changing the way she shops has had a positive impact on her mental health.
According to psychologist Marny Lishman, when our behaviours align with our core values, things “just feel right”. This can lead to feelings of deep contentment.

As Jasmine says: “Knowing the entire story of the garment – from the garment worker who was paid a living wage, to the way in which the cotton was sourced – is empowering.”

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