Is life on this planet a privilege?

There is a slight mood shift in the blog this week.  

I went scuba diving for the first time since 2018.  So, I have been away from the relentlessness of city life and have spent the majority of my days in the ocean. The many hours in silence with nature's beauty allowed me to contemplate many things, including our (human) relevance on this planet.

Our dive team - thank you Bei Zhou for the beautiful photo.

A few points to address: the Wakatobi dive resort is exceptional in its conservation efforts.  I have been here a number of times, and it is one of my favourite places on the planet.  The last time I visited was in 2017; to be back was an extraordinary and long-anticipated trip.  The resort was closed for business from March 2020 until July 2022.  As they needed to keep maintaining and leasing the reefs, we did not know how healthy they would be.  We needn’t have worried; they were amazing, full of life and abundance. 

Being in this place, surrounded by nature and beautiful creatures every day, was very inspiring and also humbling.  I had the experience of the privilege it is to live on this planet—the miracles of nature, the beauty of our world in all its elements.  A magnificent creation we all get to be a part of.  

How does this relate to fashion, shopping and consumption, you may ask.  Back to my opening question: “Is life on this planet a privilege?”.  Moreover, how would this view of life change your everyday actions and behaviours?  Would you be conscious of what you were consuming, its impact on resources, and the mark left by you and your purchases?  How would this view change the way you live

From my perspective and what I create as a commitment for the future:

  • Spend more time in the magnificence of nature.

  • Go beyond my comfort zone as an opportunity for growth and leadership.

  • Be aware of my habits and distractions; be present.

  • Create a wardrobe that respects nature and celebrates life.  (Sounds easy!)

  • Bring awareness to this and be an inspiration to others.

  • Be present to the pull of nature; make it a priority.

This blog will create a new conversation for the future of fashion, creating opportunities for making an impact and inspiring readers to do the same.  Creating our life on this planet as a privilege is a challenge I give you all.  

As I consistently state, I love fashion and engaging with it.  We can all enjoy it, too.  

My challenge is for you to make your actions from the place of living life on this planet as a privilege.

Kind regards
Kate

Hello! What Is Next For Fashion?

This week I was asked about the future of Sustainability in Fashion—an interesting question to contemplate.  I was asked in the context of large Fashion Companies and what they can do for a better future.  This individual talked a lot about energy emissions, water, recycled materials and other marginal changes in existing practices.  As a constant problem-solver, I felt compelled to have an answer—some clever solution for the likes of Inditex and a solution to the relentlessness of fast fashion.

Photo by Olya Harytovich

My self-awareness suddenly kicked in, creating an opportunity to step back and start a new conversation.  A conversation which is desperately needed.  Something completely new.  When we discuss the future of fashion, it cannot be an improvement on the past.  No marginal improvements, no hopefulness or small reductions.  A completely new conversation for what is possible to create.

So what is the new conversation for the future of fashion?  In response to this question, I was in full flow with so many opportunities, possibilities and miracles.  Let’s look at a few considerations on this topic.

The business of Fashion is clearly not interested in Sustainability other than box-ticking and making incremental changes. The whole business of Sustainability is seriously bad for business.  It makes us look at the entire consumer cycle, the engine that fuels growth and captures us all in a cycle of wanting more of what we really don’t need.  

Since the SDG Goals have been created and even more Sustainable awareness is in general conversation, the Brands (both fast fashion and the luxury goods industry) have increased their output.  How can the industry be so misaligned?  Seriously committing to reduced environmental impact whilst increasing the number of product drops.

How can this possibly impact the Industry with so many conflicting concerns and behaviours?

I contemplated this whilst in an Airport immigration hall filled with travellers of many nationalities.  As I looked around, there was something very clear.  People are not wearing much Fashion.  There are a few commonly worn items, sneakers, jeans or some form of washed cotton pants/shorts, T-shirts and leggings.  If we could truly impact those, this would be a game-changer.  My challenge to the industry, ourselves, our mills, brands, founders and designers: what can you do to impact those few items?  How can we create a circular, innovative, sustainable solution to the most worn fashion pieces?

Photo by Ron Lach

What are your thoughts?   

All the best,
Kate
Kate Padget-Koh

What Is The Future Of Your Wardrobe?

Welcome back!  I hope you are enjoying these conversations on the psychology of dressing and shopping more consciously.  Our next topic is to consider how we can create a more “conscious” or “sustainable” wardrobe while still having fun and enjoying clothes.  

Kate in Upcycling by @designblender.co and @matthui_yl

I have thought a lot about what is a good way to approach dressing and building a wardrobe as a Fashion lover who wants to be more conscious and sustainable.  We know there are more than enough clothes on the planet.  We don’t need to buy anything else.  We also know there are many ways (temptations) out there to make us want to shop or update our look—something of a constant tussle between guilt and desire.  We know we want to do the right thing, and yet, we so want that cute dress or awesome pair of sneakers

The question is, how to do the right thing while having fun with fashion or dressing up?  From my own experience, I have been an avid consumer of fashion all my adult life; admittedly, not fast fashion, but as we know by now, over-consumption is not just present in the fast fashion industry.  I have worked in Fashion my entire career and had the luxury of receiving reduced-priced clothing, the latest Season’s clothes, samples and access to people making things for me.  A whole range of options surrounded me for beautiful and on-trend clothing.  I would update my wardrobe every Season while creating new looks and constant excitement at chic/cool options.  I always had something fabulous to wear and would have another excuse for a new outfit — a wedding, a party, a vacation, a new job — until I became aware of the impact.

When I first encountered Sustainability and the impact of Clothing Production on the environment, I gave myself a shopping challenge.  I could not buy anything new for six months.  It was an interesting and confronting experience.  I began to understand how much of my life was spent looking at clothes, window shopping (brick & mortar or online), reading about fashion, and buying new and giving away old clothes.  Most of all, how much I was not making conscious decisions about how I was consuming, but more in a constant cycle.  Since then, I have reduced my shopping.  A career change and the Pandemic changed me forever.  I had two years when I bought very little, almost zero


Nowadays, I look for alternative ways to satiate my love for Fashion and looking good while doing the right thing, and I have found a few ways forward:

1. WEAR YOUR OLD CLOTHES: I had many amazing discoveries in my wardrobe during the pandemic.  Encouraged by my dear friend @the_elephant_in_my_wardrobe, I created some posts about my old clothes.  I discovered some 20-year-old Gucci and Prada gems, among other stunning items.  I did have to lose some weight to get into some of them, but that was another bonus.  

2. UPCYCLING: I met the amazing @Designblender and @fashionaclinic. They are both incredibly talented Designers for up-cycling clothes.  This is not a scalable process, but it is a beautiful way of giving special garments a new life—especially occasion clothes like wedding dresses, etc.

3. VESTIARE & other luxury second-hand portals:  This trend has exploded in the past few years.  It is a way to purchase luxury while being conscious.

4. ORGANIC/SUSTAINABLE FASHION BRANDS: Many incredible “conscious” Brands exist.  From Toteme, Stella McCartney, and Gabriella Hearst to Designers and Teams who are passionate and committed to making the Fashion Industry an inspiring and impactful place.

5. RENTAL: I have yet to gain experience in this, except when I was Maid of Honour for a friend.  It is a fantastic way of wearing exceptional Designer items for occasions without owning them and worrying about the cost per wear.

6. SWAPPING: Swap your old clothes with friends and family.

7. THRIFTING: A passion for so many people by creating new outfits and giving new life to other people’s cast-offs.   

There are so many interesting and exciting ways to be a conscious consumer of fashion or an eco-fashionista.  It gives you power for your creativity and a sense of joy.  To truly develop your own style and do the right thing is a beautiful gift to yourself and the future of fashion.

Thanks and kind regards
Kate

Do You Love Discounts And Sales?

People love a bargain.  We really feel good about shopping in Sales and how much money we save.  We love the “End of Season Sales”, “Black Friday”, “Singles Day”, and “Cyber Monday”.  We love them all.  Why is that?

A simple Google search states the following:

“Discounts make customers feel smart and confident in their shopping. There is no guilt or shame in buying a product when 50% off.  This also validates their urge to buy the product at a discounted price so that when people ask how much they got the product for, they will proudly say how much they spent.”

We are now living in a “Discount Culture” — where sales and price reductions are constant.  Another indication is the incredible rise of outlet shopping, which has made formerly aspirational Brands more accessible and affordable.  Woodbury Common, Dubai Outlet Mall, and Cheshire Oaks, to name a few, are incredibly popular.  Luxury Brands, including Bottega Verneta, Gucci, Prada, Fendi, and Moncler, are all a part of this discount Business strategy where they sell their products at lower or discounted prices.  We have all had the opportunity to buy Brands here that we would not normally consider we could “afford”.  These places have made luxury fashion more accessible and available to more people.

However, there is another angle to this.  When is a “Sale” really a sale?  The economics do not change; Brands still need to make a margin.  With heavy and frequent discounting, how is this possible?  Outlet stores are not only selling “aged” stock (from previous Seasons), they have products that are designed specifically for those stores.  They are made to meet the discounted selling price, with the margin built in.  While the selling price is lower, this is not really a bargain; it is not actually discounted.  The products are leaving the manufacturer with the discounted price on the price tag.  Why would Brands do this?  

There is an obvious Business case.  Brands have grown tremendous sales from Outlet shopping.  They have increased their global Brand awareness and garnered a source of new customers.  Discount culture is good for Business.  Is it really good for us as consumers?  We think we are benefiting from sales and discounts, but we are really just buying more.

Sales are fun and exciting; they have us consider new brands and products.  They can make us more adventurous, try new things and increase business for our favourite brands and designers.  However, as I always encourage in these musings — be aware of what is really happening when we shop.

While reminding us all to be conscious consumers and enjoy sales and discounts, they are now a key part of consumer life.  However, please consider they are trying to make us believe we are saving money when, in fact, these events encourage us to buy things we probably don’t really need.\

In my usual fashion, I will provide a checklist of what to do.
When shopping in sales or attracted to discounts, consider the following:

  • If this item was full price, would I buy it?

  • Do I really need this?

  • Is the quality good? 

  • Is it part of my long-term wardrobe strategy?

  • How long will I wear this?

  • How will I dispose of this when I don’t want it anymore?

  • What is the impact of buying this item; will it soon be in a landfill?

  • Is it worth it?

With love

Kate

Kate Padget-Koh

FASHIONABLE FUTURES

Why Is Luxury No Longer Luxury?

After the last blog on how we interact with and consume clothing, I have been actively aware of different experiences with clothes and fashion.  

There are so many YouTube videos on Luxury Bag Collections; people with vast collections of bags and other items from Hermes, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton (among other brands).  I had not been aware of this, and once I watched one, the algorithm fed me lots more.  What an interesting and, personally, baffling phenomenon.  Why does one need so many bags?  

As someone who has spent her career in Fashion, I have had a good number of bags.  I have lived through the Prada, Gucci, and Chloe “it-bag” eras.  I have bought and used many bags.  Yet this “Luxury Bag” obsession has surprised me.  The content creators are ordinary people; they do not appear extensively affluent.  A similar group to this I experienced in Paris stores when I went to Chanel, Celine, and Loewe recently.   People were buying extensive amounts of luxury rather than one or two beloved bags, which they use frequently.  What is going on here?  

I felt this unease last year after visiting YSL in Paris.  Something felt different.  I thought it was me and was truly “over” excessive spending.  However, I had the same feeling this year in Paris.  After a lot of reflection, I have identified a few possible reasons for this.

  • INFLUENCER CULTURE: These beautiful people, with their gorgeous lives on a constant trip to somewhere fabulous and in new outfits constantly.  New bags, like many Hermes.  

  • SOCIAL MEDIA: Being constantly fed these images of people with the aforementioned “gorgeous lives”.  Our human sense of inadequacy or desire has us wanting that.  

  • FAST FASHION: During the extraordinary era of Alessandro Michele at Gucci, the brand was very vocal in stating it wanted to be like a fast fashion company in its embracing trends and newness.  Clearly, it worked, and others followed.

There is nothing wrong with any of this.  We can all freely buy and consume what we want - right?  Absolutely, we can.  However, everything comes with a cost.  In this situation, the cost affects us financially, our mental health, and, inevitably, the environment.

For years, Fast Fashion Companies have been called out for their irresponsible and unethical behaviours.  Yet, here are people consuming high price items as though they were the price of Zara.  Are the Luxury goods companies doing the same as fast fashion companies in their own ways?

None of us want to be victims of consumer culture.  

What can we learn from this, and how can we take our power back?  

  • Consumer culture is relentless. It is designed to make us feel inadequate and that we need more.  Remember this!

  • Buying beautiful things is totally fine; just be aware of the reasons you are buying them.

  • To be a more aware consumer, only buy what you need.

  • There will always be something newer, the latest version or a limited edition.

  • Remember - influencers receive some of these items.  They are a business, too.  It is their job.  

  • Be an individual, know what you like, shop ethically and educate others to make good choices.

Best regards
Kate Padget-Koh