Our Blog | Love Linen The Label — Slow Fashion
The Beauty of Fashion for ALL Seasons
Seasonal Fashion is OUT
It is truly inspiring that there is a huge shift towards a more minimalistic view towards our wardrobes. Not only is clothing regarded as a form of self expression but ultimately it is now a reflection of what values we hold and the impact we are consciously having (or not) by the choices we make.
Slow fashion is becoming a more popular term, an appreciation for classic timeless pieces made well to stand the test of time, made to be worn through many seasons for years to come. Seasonal fashion following short term trends and fads is out. Not only is it unsustainable from so many points of view, we are beginning to realise that we have absolutely no choice but to embrace a longer term approach in all we consume if we wish to leave the planet in a better state for our children, or in any state at all.
The focus has turned to choosing your own signature style by carefully curating a wardrobe of timeless staples that can easily be mixed and matched. This can be achieved by sticking to your own favourite colour pallet or favouring monotones or a selection of very simple colours and embracing a signature style and look. Each piece is selected in reference to what is already owned and how it will be utilised fully throughout the years. Here are just a few simple things to consider to develop your timeless wardrobe.
- Choose a colour pallet that suits you and stick to it
- Know what you love and feel good in - and only buy this
- Dress to your body shape and size, she is beautiful no matter what
- Embrace a simplistic but ultimately YOU look - you can have a small collection of accessories to take it all to the next level
- Spend time searching for pieces that tick all your value boxes, smaller brands are harder to find although you will be glad you made the effort
- Avoid impulse buying, make sure you're ticking all of the above
- Care for your wardrobe - mend and alter if necessary
- When in doubt op-shop, although fast fashion has infatuated a much loved past time you can still find some gems, or if you have the time, you can even make your own
An Expression of Within
Clothing - 'An expression of self'
Clothing is an expression of self and the future of the world you wish to live in, the future you wish to leave to your children...
My Journey Through a Love of Linen - Why we make limited styles
A focus on quality over quantity always. By only producing minimums, although this means our costs are higher, we are also valuing scarcity and a more sustainable approach very rare in the fashion industry. This also means true creativity, superior workmanship, quality and skills are valued and cherished as they once were many years ago.
As Founder & Designer it is important to me to maintain a constant, consistent contact through every stage of design and creation, right to the very end of fostering a genuine relationship one-on-one with fellow linen lovers and working with them to serve them as best I can.
We don't do 'latest drops'. We don't follow trends or seasonal 'fads'. Everything is created with pure, timeless intention to enjoy for many years to come, classical pieces for the curated and mindful of heart.
By choosing quality European linen and our limited, sustainable production model we are also minimising our impact. Honouring human life and our precious natural world goes hand in hand in this way. We honour the traditions and workmanship of old, as we honour the world's oldest natural fiber still loved and cherished today.
I think by doing the best we possibly can, we are honouring the wearer most of all x
It's More Than Just A Fashion Revolution in 2020
A Fashion Revolution - A Better 2020
Fashion Revolution week 23rd-29th of April marks the 6th anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, which killed 1,138 people and injured many more in 2013, millions of people are now encouraged to ask brands #whomademyclothes and demand greater transparency in the fashion supply chain.
This revolution is a global movement calling for greater sustainability and ethics within the fashion industry.
Part of our passion is this movement which encourages more sustainability to change the way our clothes are sourced, produced and purchased, and ensuring #whomademyclothes are subject to a fair wages and safe working conditions.
This year there are much greater things at hand than just the Fashion Revolution - there is a current revolution of awareness of how we are living and consuming. This all goes hand in hand. We are waking up and it takes times such as these to do so.
The fashion industry is rife with fast fashion following short term fashion trends at super-low prices. It does come to a point that we have to consider the real cost of this out-ways a cheap price tag.
You are deciding which you are supporting every purchase you make. Quality over quantity is key here, having a high quality wardrobe that not only looks amazing, it will not fall apart after a few washes and you will not be contributing to the masses of landfill and subjecting people to unfair working conditions.
Shop YOUR VALUES, Shop local, shop small and ask #whomademyclothes?
Why You're Getting Ripped Off At $100 For A Dress
So I Went To (Fast Fashion Shop) and bought 10 Dresses - This is what I found
(actually didn't but you get the gist)
- I didn't really love ANY of them but they were cheap
- I know I'll throw them out in 12 months (if they don't fall apart first)...more landfill
- I really don't know what they are made from - poly... oh yeah isn't that plastic and microfibers choking our planet?
- I didn't check to see - ah Made In China under slave labour and a regime that does not support any life - including human life..
- One has a tag 'Ethically Made in Bali' - mmm why not Australia - ah fair wages... fair in Bali... do they have a fair work?
- The person that made it worked over 12 hours per day and only got paid less than 40c PER DAY - don't know how they are surviving
- The fabric was poor quality and cost less than $4 per meter - the processes of producing this cheap fabric are currently polluting the planet and stripping it of natural resources
- I wonder how long it would take me to sew a dress - I wonder how much I'd like to be paid?
- How long would I like a dress I really really loved to last? Could I make it last? Would I wear it more than once?
Lets #DoBetter - consider #WhoMadeYourClothes - what your clothes were made from and how you'd like to WEAR YOUR VALUES
Behind The Seams
The Lifetime of a Design
At Love Linen we do everything with love and much time, energy and care goes into everything we do.
We are only small and we only make a few. We are accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia and we are proudly Australian made, owned and operated.
Each design we hand make in our sewing studio in Broome before is goes to our digital pattern makers. This process alone can take months! Our amazing manufacturer specialises in short runs which means we only produce around 10 - 20 of each design in a carefully chosen linen fabric.
Quality over quantity is what we are passionate about. We also love producing linen clothing of true style and classic design that you wont see everywhere else. Our designs are unique and limited which make them extra special.
Although we have many designs sketched - some on paper - many in the mind - we are only a small business and our aim is to grow sustain-ably with our beautiful linen lovers into the future. We wish we could give you it all at once but where is the fun in that! So much happens in the design stage and we even surprise ourselves sometimes!
If you are reading this, thank you for being part of our journey. Your support and appreciation means the world to us X
So what is Slow Fashion anyway?
Building a sustainable future
Slow Fashion essentially opposes the fast fashion model that emerged around 20 years ago when world wide production of clothing increased tenfold, most of which has made it to ever increasing landfill.
Slow Fashion is an awareness and approach to fashion, which considers the processes and resources required to make clothing, particularly focusing on sustainability. It involves buying better-quality garments that will last for longer and values fair treatment of people, animals and the planet.
Pre-industrial revolution, garments were locally sourced and produced. People would buy durable clothing that could serve them for a long time, or make their own from the textiles and resources available to them. Clothing even reflected the place and culture of the people wearing them.
We think it is time to return to this frame of mind, the good news is Slow Fashion has seen increasing support in the last few years, with an awareness from consumers demanding higher sustainability and ethical standards. In Australia we are lucky enough to have Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA®) which is an accreditation body working collaboratively with local textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) businesses to ensure their Australian supply chains are legally compliant.
Currently we are pleased to advise our own accreditation with ECA is pending and we look forward to joining other Australian brands who value these ethics of production and manufacture particularly in an industry known for it's misuse of human and natural resources.
Short Run Sustainable Production
Remember we only make a few
Passion and quality have been sewn together into each of our pieces of linen clothing. Our design and craftsmanship will bring you an elegant and special addition to your wardrobe, designed to last. The true sustainability of the words most wonderful natural fiber - our treasured linen, and our commitment to sustainable production ethically made in Australia ensures you can wear every piece with pride. We are committed to slow fashion - a new movement creating clothing for a brighter future valuing human and natural resources.
Remember we specialise in short run production, so we only make a few of our deigns in carefully selected ranges of 100% quality linen fabrics which we change often. We do not follow typical fashion trends as our clothing is designed to last and we are very passionate about a more sustainable approach to fashion.
Quality over Quantity
Less is More
It is so easy to get caught up in this 'consumer' driven world, we sometimes forget to re-evaluate what is important and what makes us happy. It's amazing how a home and wardrobe overhaul and de-clutter can simplify your everyday life so you can spend more time and energy doing what you love. Minimalise to maximise your life experience.
Purchase quality over quantity. For example only buy clothing that you truly love and that aligns with your core values – even if it costs more, this can actually be a sign that the production process is an ethical one. If you stock your wardrobe full of things you love, you will have less desire to add to it.
Owning fewer things can mean owning nicer things, this can make your every day world be a more accurate reflection of you and what you value. And - no more hiding that beautiful dress away for a rainy day, if it makes you feel good wear it and enjoy!
Live - Love - Life x
Born in Beautiful Broome
Resort wear inspired
It is hard to not be inspired in Broome, the ultimate destination for luxury resort wear you want to spend each and every day in. While we are working hard behind the scenes the season is changing and the tourists are arriving for the dry season. We are fortunate to be able to share this beautiful place who has a treasured place forever as the gateway to the great Kimberley's. The more you explore the more you find the journey is endless...and a beautiful discovery that is.