positive fashion

Nicole McLaughlin and More or Less magazine



Nicole McLaughlin for More Or Less mag

I just picked up my copy of the much-feted Vogue Italia illustrated issue. The idea is that by having all the fashion editorials illustrated, rather than expensively shot on location, not only would Vogue Italia lighten its carbon footprint, but the money saved would be donated to help restore the Fondazione Querini Stampalia in Venice, recently damaged by the floods. While some considered this a cynical greenwashing gesture, I think every little helps. Plus I love fashion illustration (even more so, magazines without pesky coverlines!).

But for a more in-depth fashion magazine that’s spotlighting creative sustainability, look to More or Less magazine. (more…)



Positive fashion: Maggie Marilyn introduces circularity-first wear-now-recycle-later basics



Maggie Marilyn Somewhere basics collection

Here’s a very cool concept I can get on board with. Maggie Marilyn, known for its sustainable but high-priced designs is introducing a new lower-priced offer of direct-to-consumer elevated basics. Think boxy blazers, organic merino wool sweaters and the perfect white jean.

While the proportions and fabrics look great, the ‘Somewhere’ concept goes further. Marilyn will introduce a “take-back scheme” in 2021, allowing well-loved pieces to be sent back to be recycled into new ones. This circularity-first concept (similar to For Days) feels like a real shift in how we consume. (more…)



Positive fashion: On Zalando, activist spokesmodels and profitable ethics



At The Beauty Conversation* we have been talking for a while about the shift from models and influencers to ‘activist models’, as a vehicle for brands to express their ethical values. This shift is reaching its peak now with most brands hiring outspoken role models who have a strong social media following and a passion for activism or a cause rather than standard models or It Girls as their ‘face of’.

Example: multi brand e-commerce retailer Zalando, who has hired gender nonconforming model Rain Dove (above), plus-sized model Felicity Hayward and Gurls Talk founder Adwoa Aboah for its latest ‘Free to Be’ campaign. (more…)



Positive fashion: first look at Zanini SS20



Zanini SS20

Zanini SS20 looks SO good! I’ve been reading this op-ed about Gucci’s incessant profit rises which have recently stalled. Have we OD’ed on merch and maximalism?

I don’t know if we should go full throttle for austerity minimalism but I think there could be a middle ground. And Zanini’s elevated classics might be it. Marco Zanini’s fabrics are developed exclusively for him, he pays minute attention to the details that define a silhouette (hello voluminous sleeves) and the styling is perfectly on point. Gotta be better than a logo tee, right?

Zanini SS20
Zanini SS20
Zanini Spring 2020
Zanini white suit

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Zanini SS20 / Vogue Runway
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