When you're out shopping for, say, your hot fall wish list, did you take a moment to stop and consider: Where did this item come from? How was it made? Were materials and natural resources wasted during production? And, seriously, what is this made out of? Yes, that might seem like a lot of thinking to do right before plunking down your Visa for that must-have piece from your favorite high-street store, or is it? Turns out that shopping in the ethical, social, and environmentally responsible way takes way less work than you think. And you don't have to give up on actual style either. (Yeah, yeah, I know, usually when you think of eco-chic pieces, shapeless, hippie-dippy hemp-woven sack dresses might spring to mind. Not the case!)
*So you don't have to DIY. Mercado Global Anita weekender, $337, zady.com*Say hello to Zady, an ethical fashion, multibrand e-commerce site founded by the two coolest BFFs, Maxine Bedat and Soraya Darabi. Zady is basically a one-stop shop for socially responsible, and totally chic essentials—the site even shares brand backstories that'll give you the warm and fuzzies and a drop-pin map to show you exactly where the items originated. Maxine and Soraya pretty much do all the research for you, and most likely the ladies have said pieces in their closet too. (I met them in person and can contest to their impeccable fashion sense.) I'm talking pieces you'll want to wear for years to come—less waste!—and feel good about wearing too.
Zady celebrates its one-year anniversary today (congrats, guys!), and to commemorate the occasion, the company is rolling out its own Zady-branded line of wardrobe essentials, starting with a perfect winter-wool sweater. (In case you're wondering, the knit is made from all-natural materials with wool sourced from a ranch in Shaniko, Oregon.) Look out for the style around November, but in the meantime, Maxine and Zoraya took a few moments to school us on how easy it is to shop responsibly—and not give up on style in the process.
GLAMOUR: How can we start incorporating socially responsible shopping habits into our lives?
Maxine and Soraya There is a simple way to begin shopping responsibly, and it's fun! Begin by purchasing only products from brands you admire. We admire Whole Foods and Patagonia for their commitment to transparency. We admire Naked Wines because they introduce us to the farmers and small business owners who create the world's best vino. Research brands who share your values, and before you know it, you'll be loyal to people trying to make the world a better place through business.
What are easy ways to start adjusting the way we shop to be more socially responsible (because it can come across as intimidating!)?
M&S: It can be intimidating to adjust to our shopping behavior. Like any change, it begins with baby steps. Before we were slow-fashion converts, we were farmers' market addicts. A decision to travel to the farmers' market once a week has a domino effect. Maybe you begin making green juice at home every morning with the produce you've procured. After a while you feel healthier and revitalized. Delving into conscious apparel shopping will have the same effect, we promise.
Tell us how you both live your lives and shop responsibly.
M&S: We believe in owning the clothing we wear for years and not a season at a time. Since first conceptualizing what would later become Zady.com, we have not purchased any products made by unknown sources or factories. To begin, this means we avoid purchasing products from countries without fair labor laws in place. Often these same countries use what are known as "shadow factories" to subcontract their production to workers paid almost nothing for their time and craft. It's very scary stuff. We prefer to buy from the brands we sell on our website, brands that focus on local and/or sustainable production, expert craftsmanship, and timeless style.
Swatches and sketches of the Zady sweater
Do you believe in shopping responsibly? Are you interested in trying?
