An SOS to the World
- Words by Peppermint
Ethics and eco-friendliness don’t typically go hand-in-hand with mass-market fashion. Rules of thumb are made to be broken, however, and ASOS are certainly challenging our preconceptions. The UK-based online giant has just launched an Australian store, which means less time waiting by the mailbox for your latest purchase to arrive. We thought we would take a look at their social and environmental policies and check out the substance behind the glamour.
ASOS have been a member of the Ethical Trade Initiative since 2009 and adhere to their own Ethical Code of Conduct. By independently auditing their factories, they encourage suppliers and producers to raise their standards in employee care, workplace health and safety and ethical purchasing. ASOS stick by strict animal welfare guidelines which regulate their use of fur and leather as well as an Environmental Policy which minimizes their impact on the planet. They are even carbon neutral!
The ASOS Foundation has long-term partnerships with a number of global charities committed to social and environmental causes in the developing world. The company also makes annual donations to Retail Trust, a charity dedicated to aiding retail workers back home in the UK. ASOS’s payroll giving scheme encourages their employees to donate to other charities as well.
Oh, and did we mention their gorgeous clothes, shoes, skincare and accessories? Check out the ‘green room‘ where it breaks the sections down into handy categories, like ‘fair trade’, ‘eco materials’ and ‘handmade’. All the more reason to jump on their store right now!
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Between 2000 to 2015, global clothing production doubled... while the duration of garment use decreased by 36%.
We are throwing away clothing at a faster rate than ever before. How can we tackle this problem?
✨️ WEAR
Be an outfit repeater - wear your items of clothing as long as possible. Learn to style your garments in various ways. Loved clothing lasts.
✨️ SHARE
If you really need to move it along, share the love with friends - hold a clothing exchange night! Or organise a timeshare with a friend where you swap a few favourite pieces of fashion. If you really can`t find a new home for it, then donate to an op shop or charity.
✨️ CARE
The care of your clothing – washing, drying and ironing – can account for approx 30% of a garment`s total carbon footprint. Hand wash, line dry, wash in cold water, and only wash when necessary.
✨️ REPAIR
Mending – and making – slows down fast fashion buying habits. Repairing used to be common practice, until disposable fashion took over. Extending the life of clothing by just nine months can reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by 20–30%. Fixing doesn`t need to just be utilitarian – get creative with visible mending!
*Fact from The United Nations Environment Programme
#PeppermintMagazine #WearShareCareRepair #SustainableFashion
Have you whipped up the Acacia A-Line Skirt yet? 🪡
Accessible to beginner and experienced sewists alike, its classic style makes this skirt a wardrobe staple and a pattern you can happily play on repeat. Curved front pockets and the fun exposed-zip detail at the centre back make this style pop! The Acacia is a blank canvas, awaiting inspiration – add contrast top stitching, trim the pockets with bias binding or even change the length. We’ve chosen the smooth, clean lines that come from facing the waist, with back darts to ensure a neat fit on the hip. *chef’s kiss*
This pattern was made with the support of the lovely folk at @WeftAndWarpFabrics 🫶🏼 The team at Weft and Warp graciously sent three sewists the fabric of their choice to whip up their own Acacia A-Line – the results are super sweet!
Head to our website to see the makes from @The.Sewcialite @HandmadeByCarolyn and @You_CanSew - link in bio!
#PeppermintAcaciaAlineSkirt #PeppermintPatterns #WeftAndWarpFabrics #MeMade
Polka dots for days…
We love this Tansey Top by @_Rubys_Threads_ - the ultimate simple but stylish top you need in your rotation now!
Pattern: #PeppermintTanseyTop
Fabric: Japanese cotton @RawFibre
#MeMade #PeppermintPatterns
How`s your long weekend going? Working hard on your PhD? 🪡✂️🧵
Image from JoellsLeatherWorks on @Etsy
#ProjectsHalfDone #SewingPile #ProjectPile
In case no-one has told you lately, Emma Giacalone says you`re a good egg. (And we happen to agree).
This incredible mini egg embroidered 3D artwork was created by @Emma_Giacalone_Textiles, a textile artist in Gloucestershire, UK.
"When we buy an item of clothing, a label is attached telling us how to look after it to keep it at its very best. My mission is to create little care instructions to help to remind us to lead our happiest life."
INGREDIENTS: Freehand machine embroidered onto 100% cotton, using Egyptian cotton thread, and wool felt backing.
#EasterArt #GoodEgg #TextileArt
No ordinary wrap dress! 💃
Wrap dress wardrobe malfunction? Not with the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress pattern! We designed the Waratah to make sure this never happens.
Enjoy a few BTS videos from this super fun shoot. Maybe some inspo for Easter weekend sewing?
MODELS/SEWISTS: @Melt.Stitches, @KatieMakesADress @Tricky.Pockets @Laura_The_Maker
Head to the link in bio for the #PeppermintWaratahWrapDress 🪡
#PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #MeMade #WrapDress
