Small, independent fashion brands make it easy for you to align your wardrobe with your values.
You can add another product category to the way you’ve shifted your dollars to make choices that are better for the local economy, better for the environment, and better for women and other workers.
Here are just a few ways to add fashion to the impact you make with your regular shopping decisions.
Photo by Marcus Loke.
That Locavore Life
You’ve shifted your grocery and dining dollars to organic, farm-to-table, locally-owned producers and restaurants. You’re happy to go a little out of your way because the product is better, healthier, and you feel good supporting local farms and restaurateurs.
When you look for independent fashion in your area – your town, state, or region – you can get similar benefits. Local brands have the time and the commitment to invest better quality in each piece, and if you need a repair or alteration, you can get in touch quickly.
They may be more responsive to customizing a piece for you, or creating something completely unique on request. And they tend to buy supplies and services from other local businesses, so your purchase goes deep into the local economy.
You can even replicate your 100-mile diet by looking for clothing and other textiles from the growing Fibershed regional movement.
Photo by Mac Glassford.
Carbon Footprint
Do you look for products that say Made in USA or grown in your region? Aside from local pride and economic benefits, you may be decreasing your carbon footprint at the same time
Shipping and transportation make up a significant portion of a product’s carbon footprint – it’s a largely unacknowledged backstory, even for organic and fair trade goods. While most major shipping companies have made changes throughout their fleet to help, you can do your part by continuing to check product labels, and buying from local brands and independent retailers.
Let boutique owners know you’re looking for special pieces from local designers. And ask local designers about their process and suppliers. Most people will be happy to give you a look behind the scenes.
By Women, for Women
You’ve contributed to funds like Kiva, or other development projects that support women-owned business in the global South – you understand the impact that women’s economic participation has not only on domestic violence rates, but children’s health and education, the environment, and the broader economy.
You can make the same impact at home by seeking out and buying from local, women-led fashion brands.
Big brands and retailers tend to have the same gender inequality in leadership that most other industries have. Gay men tend to be fashion darlings, and straight men lead the large corporate congolmerates like LVMH. Yet small brands that do well are typically run by women, for women customers.
With nearly all businesses in the U.S. qualifying as small (less than 500 employees), 80 percent of small businesses are sole proprietorships. The Small Business Administration notes that more than 36 percent of small businesses are owned by women – 45 percent are at least co-owned by women.
At the same time, the democratization of e-commerce (think Etsy) and the repurposing of empty commercial space has made it easier for typically under-funded women entrepreneurs to gain visibility and distribute their unique products.
That’s a lot of local women making their own money.
Connecticut designers
Here are a few of the talented, fashion-forward brands based in our small state that we would be proud to hang beside in your closet:
Cait Shea, designed by Cait Clark in Chester.
Neville Wisdom of New Haven.
Grassillini Creations, designed by Gracia Hemans in East Hartford, is a master of leather goods.
Finally, we are Manuma, designed by yours truly, Allie McConnell, in metro Hartford.
Custom clothing can also be found at a number of independent retailers and tailors throughout the state, so be sure to ask.
For gifts, decor, and other categories, visit locally-owned galleries, boutiques, and museum shops, and ask for local products. We particularly love Workspace Collective in Danbury for their curated collection of sustainable fashion and housewares.
You’ll feel more authentic and empowered to make a difference when you shop with your values and choose local fashion designers. And you get pockets.