Coucou (hello) and welcome back to our blog! Today’s topic is all about the slow fashion movement which has been gaining traction in recent years. In response to the fast fashion industry that has dominated the fashion world for decades, slow fashion has emerged as an approach to fashion that prioritizes quality over quantity, sustainability, and ethical practices. The slow fashion movement encourages consumers to be more mindful of their purchases and to invest in quality pieces that are made to last!
In this blog post, we'll be discussing the slow fashion movement and its impact on the designer kids clothes industry. We'll also be discussing some of our favorite niche designer kids clothes brands that we’re proud to carry here at CouCou.
What is Slow Fashion?
The slow fashion movement is a response to the fast fashion industry that has dominated the fashion world in recent years. Fast fashion refers to the mass production of clothing that is made to be worn for a season and then discarded. There’s fast fashion and then there’s ultra-fast fashion! Fast fashion includes the typical mall brands we’ve come to know and accept like Old Navy and Zara. Ultra-fast, on the other hand, churns out collections at an insane rate. Think of 60+ seasons a year with thousands of new arrivals every day! These ultra-fast fashion retailers include Shein, NovaKids, and even Temu. At CouCou, we release only 4 seasons a year!
The issue with the fast fashion industry is its unethical practices, such as underpaying workers and mass consumption that contribute to environmental pollution. And, the impact extends even further. The low-quality clothing pieces produced by these fast fashion giants are typically made with petroleum by-products like polyester that shed plastic fibers with each wash, adding microplastics to our waterways. Fast fashion is quite literally one of the greatest threats to our environment today.
So, getting back to our question, what is slow fashion? The slow fashion movement is a response to the obviously toxic fast and ultra fast fashion brands. It is an approach that prioritizes quality over quantity and implements sustainability, and ethical practices. The slow fashion movement encourages consumers to be more mindful of their purchases and to invest in quality pieces that are made to last! Slow fashion will absolutely cost more, this is true. But it is made to be kind to our depleting earth and designed to be worn for years to come.
Why Slow Fashion Matters
The slow fashion movement is important for a number of reasons! By investing in slow fashion, consumers can help to reduce the negative impact of the fast fashion industry. Here are a few of the reasons why the slow fashion movement matters to us here at CouCou:
1. Reducing Environmental Impact
The fast fashion industry is known for its negative impact on the environment. The production of fast fashion clothing often involves the use of harmful chemicals and dyes that are released into the environment. Additionally, the mass production of clothing requires a significant amount of water and energy. It also leads to huge amounts of over-stock, which is ultimately dumped in landfills. The fast fashion industry is also responsible for a large amount of textile waste. By investing in slow fashion, consumers can help to reduce the negative impact of the fast fashion industry on the environment. Slow fashion brands are committed to using sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, and to reducing waste by producing clothing in small quantities.
2. Supporting Ethical Practices
Fast fashion is basically synonymous with sweatshops and unethical practices, such as underpaying workers and providing unsafe working conditions. By investing in slow fashion, consumers can help to support ethical practices in the fashion industry. Slow fashion brands are committed to ensuring that the people who work for them are paid fairly and work in safe conditions! Not only that, but many slow fashion brands produce their clothing close to home, supporting local economies and reducing the carbon footprint of their clothing.
3. Promoting Quality Over Quantity
One of the key principles of the slow fashion movement is promoting quality over quantity. The fast fashion industry is characterized by low-quality, disposable clothing that is made to be worn for a season and then discarded. Slow fashion brands prioritize quality, producing clothing that is designed to be worn for years and passed down through generations. By investing in slow fashion, consumers can help to reduce textile waste and promote a culture of quality over quantity!
Slow Fashion Brands at CouCou
At CouCou, we are committed to offering our customers a curated selection of kids clothes from niche designer brands that prioritize quality, sustainability, and ethical practices. We are proud to carry a number of slow fashion brands that are leading the charge in the slow fashion movement. Here are a few of our favorite slow fashion brands:
Misha and Puff
Misha and Puff is one of our favorite slow fashion brands here at CouCou. Known for its high-quality hand-knit clothing, Misha and Puff is committed to producing clothing that is made to last. The brand produces its clothing in small batches, reducing waste and ensuring that each piece is made with care. Misha and Puff is also committed to using sustainable materials, such as merino wool and organic cotton. The brand works with a small group of knitters in Peru who are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions.
Piupiuchick
Piupiuchick is a brand that embodies the essence of slow fashion. The brand was founded by Sofia Marques de Carvalho, a Portuguese mother of four, who was inspired to create a brand that is both stylish and comfortable for children. Piupiuchick offers a range of beautifully crafted children’s clothing that is inspired by the freedom of childhood and the joy of discovery. Each piece is designed to be worn and passed down from one child to the next. Not only that but the brand has a zero-waste policy, meaning that they use all of the fabric they purchase, and they are committed to producing their clothing locally in Portugal.
Marsou
Marsou is a French brand that is known for its high-quality, timeless designs. Marsou produces its clothing in small batches and hand dyes its materials in Paris by their small team of artisans who benefit from fair working conditions and wages. The brand is committed to using high-quality, sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, linen, wool, and upcycled materials. Marsou produces classic designs that are nostalgic and designed to be worn for years to come and then resold or passed down.
Invest in Designer Kids Clothes at CouCou
At CouCou, we are proud to carry a curated selection of niche designer kids brands that are committed to quality, sustainability, and ethical practices. Our collection of kids clothes features clothing from brands that prioritize quality and sustainability, producing clothing that is designed to be worn for years to come. By investing in designer kids clothes from brands that prioritize quality over quantity, you can help to reduce the negative impact of the fast fashion industry on the environment and on the people who work in the industry.
Here at CouCou we work hard to source the best slow fashion brands. We couldn’t mention them all in the blog but don’t forget about some of our other hero brands like Piupiuchick, Soor Ploom, Apolina, Hello Simone, and Búho. Sustainability and ethical practices are so important to us! If you’re interested in learning more about sustainability, don’t forget to check out our other blogs.
Final Thoughts
The slow fashion movement is a response to the fast fashion industry that has dominated the fashion world for decades. The slow fashion movement is an approach that prioritizes quality over quantity, sustainability, and ethical practices. By investing in slow fashion, consumers can help to reduce the negative impact of the fast fashion industry on the environment and on the people who work in the industry. Slow fashion brands are committed to using sustainable materials, reducing waste, and ensuring that the people who work for them are paid fairly and work in safe conditions.
At CouCou, we are proud to carry a number of slow fashion brands, including Misha and Puff, Oeuf, and Marsou. Our collection of niche designer kids clothes features high-quality pieces that are designed to be worn for years to come. By investing in designer kids clothes, you can help to reduce the negative impact of the fast fashion industry and promote a culture of quality over quantity!
- Until next time, à bientôt!