Clothing a Rebellion: An interview with AllRiot

Mr. Mohamad Akef - Columinst by Mr. Mohamad Akef – Columnist

Messaging is one of the most important responsibilities of any company or brand, especially today with the proliferation of options across all industries. Messaging is what separates winning companies from also-rans, and it’s what makes businesses attract and, more importantly, retain a customer base. Research from the Harvard Business Review reveals that 64% of consumers cite shared values as the main reason for a relationship with a brand, underscoring the importance of providing a clear message about a company’s identity and values.

In addition to crafting a message, companies must also ensure that their … Read the rest

Do you shop for second-hand clothes? You’re likely to be more stylish

Louise Grimmer, University of Tasmania and Martin Grimmer, University of Tasmania

Not only is second-hand shopping good for the planet and your wallet, but our new research also finds the more style-conscious you are, the more likely you are to shop for second-hand clothes and accessories.

In the 2020-21 financial year, 72% of Australians purchased at least one item of second-hand clothes – but we wanted to know more about people who were shopping second-hand.

It is often assumed those who shop for second-hand clothes do so to save money or reduce their impact on the environment.

In … Read the rest

Normcore: when being ordinary becomes a fashion statement

Josephine Collins, University of the Arts London

Putting together words like normal and fashion feels like a contradiction, but that’s exactly what Gap is doing with its autumn/winter 2014 advertising campaign, called Dress Normal. It makes a virtue out of the normality of its clothes and proposes that individualism comes from authenticity, not flashiness.

Gap is following the flurry of media discussion about “normcore”, a term coined by a New York-based trend forecaster K-Hole that has been present since last spring and early summer. Normcore elevates ordinary clothing – basic jeans, T-shirts and trainers, for example – … Read the rest

It may not be possible to slow down fast fashion – so can the industry ever be sustainable?

Mark Sumner, University of Leeds

The fashion industry has some major sustainability problems. By 2030, it is predicted that the industry’s water consumption will grow by 50% to 118 billion cubic metres, its carbon footprint will increase to 2,791m tonnes and the amount of waste it creates will hit 148m tonnes.

These predictions are in spite of significant progress being made by brands and retailers to minimise their impact. Many are using sustainable cotton initiatives to reduce water, energy and chemical use, new dyeing technology to reduce water consumption by up to 50% as well as numerous energy and … Read the rest

Ethical fashion is confusing — shoppers with good intentions get overwhelmed

Harriette Richards, The University of Melbourne, and Natalya Lusty, The University of Melbourne

As Australian consumers step out of their loungewear post-lockdown, many might be looking to buy new clothes for themselves or as gifts.

Whether you’re buying sweatpants or sequins, online or in-store, ethical fashion shopping can be confusing. There are so many terms, certifications, and accreditation systems — not to mention the marketing spin and corporate greenwashing — to navigate.

Our recent research examined the impact modern slavery laws have had on consumer awareness about ethical fashion, as part of a larger project on modern Read the rest