Lets make slow fashion the new normal

Fast fashion is bad for the environment. We all know it. I am 28 years old now, and I can recall the days when I was younger and there were constant reminders from TV shows, movies and friends about the horrible working environments that underage workers would have to go through just to make your product. How is it possible we still live in this type of world?

Responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and mountains of waste that choke our planet, the fast fashion industry is fuelled by one thing and that is profit. The industry practices are often murky, with labor exploitation and environmental degradation, hidden behind low prices and quick turnarounds. However there are new firms entering the fold, which consumers should take onto.

ISTO, a label from Portugal, is holding itself to higher standards and making great product. All of ISTOs factories and suppliers are listed transparently on their website, each complying with rigorous industry certifications: GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard and OEKO-TEX (Harmful substance testing) and GRS (Global Recycled Standard). These certifications are not just buzzwords; they are vital benchmarks that ensure every step of the production process is ethical, sustainable and traceable.

In an era where many brands are content to greenwash their credentials, ISTO’s commitment to these standards is a breath of fresh air. They prove that it’s possible to create high quality, timeless pieces without compromising on ethics or the environment. I think this is something that we can all relate to, we all put on clothes everyday, well I would hope! This is a good starting point. Now, lets go that extra step and care about what we wear and how it is made. ISTO offers more that just fashion; they offer a way forward to help us transition from the world of fast fashion, to the world of slow fashion.