Once I Asked "Who Made My Clothes?" - Today I Don't Eat Meat
This month brands and consumers around the world celebrate Fashion Revolution week. A week where we demand from the brands we love to tell us who made our clothes. Asking that question changed my lifestyle completely.
My journey to vegetarian lifestyle started from my desire to consume fashion responsibly. When I talk to fellow veg-wannabes, people who've just started trying out the vegetarian route, who try to recycle, who feel guilty of buying leather goods and finally banned fur from their lives, we are all on the same boat – trying out new ways of consuming. We fail, try again, feeling guilty sometimes.
It all started over five years ago when I decided to stop shopping for mass-produced fashion unless I know where the product comes from. Most of it was inspired by Fashion Revolution and small independent brands I worked with. For me, ethical consumerism is love for people above all. Working with independent fashion designers and retailing them at some point in the past was quite liberating. It wasn't even that difficult to find and shop fashion I liked from the brands and people I knew personally.
Starting from myself, I also expected accountability from my partners – I push quite a bit my sweatshop-free supply chain agenda, and I am proud to know my clients are working hard to be responsible businesses.
In short, this is the best decision I have made in the last few years, and this hasn't been easy. Have I sinned? Oh yes, each year, I still buy a couple of items that are not coming from small, 100% transparent or vintage brands. However, my decision to shop responsibly, including shopping less, significantly impacted my wardrobe. Realistically, my wardrobe today is at least 50% smaller than 5 years ago.
The next step that followed naturally was to put more emphasis on household items and food. I wanted to shop organic and reduce chemicals in the household. Eventually, I managed to take care of that (more or less). Same with recycling – I have finally taken that into my hands and make sure that toilet paper tubes and banana peels rest in peace in the separate cemetery for waste. I heard a pun that women can't go back in lifestyle. I do agree, the responsible lifestyle that is.
And finally, my vegetarian agenda. I was never a big meat eater. So, three years ago, I decided to abandon meat once and for all. I haven't noticed any changes in my body, except that one-off craving for sweet and sour crispy chicken from my local Korean restaurant. To make a transition more manageable, I decided to abandon meat but keep fish and the rest is history. I am now on track to becoming vegan, give me another year.
Eventually, I realised that being meet-free also means leather-free. To be completely honest, this freaked me out. At least I bought my leather jacket before my meat-free days which I wear with no fear. All future purchases will have to be even more considerate. Sometimes it is a challenging task. You either start not buying a thing or just give in. And I know I will fail, sometimes. But I will try.
Visit the Fashion Revolution page to find out how you can get involved, will it change your life?