What Fast Fashion is Actually Doing to the World | Livia Firth

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In this episode, we dive into the impact fast fashion has on the world with Livia Firth MBE.

The fast fashion and mass production that we all buy into has a dark side that many of us tend to ignore: the social impact. The people who are behind the curtains making these garments are working in poor conditions are abused daily, and often have their lives in danger due to negligence on the part of the companies who employ them. We play a part in this abuse as we continue to support these practices through our purchases. This bears the question: we wouldn’t let our neighbors live or work in such conditions, so why would we allow it (and support) for this to happen to people abroad? It’s time to reconsider which clothing companies we are supporting.

Young people are being brainwashed by these giant companies to keep spending their money on fast fashion. They are purposely targeted on social media platforms and are incited to spend more and consume more products from these particular brands. What makes it harder for them to give up these shopping practices is that they grew up with these brands, while older generations did not. Being aware of the marketing practices of these big companies such as SHEIN, for example, is the first step to not getting sucked into their world and participating in the fast-fashion phenomenon.

The environmental impact of such business practices in the clothing industry is huge. It is destructive to the environment through air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and landfill. By purchasing a bit costlier garments from companies that have more environmentally and human-friendly business practices, you will not only reduce landfill waste as the clothing will last longer but also reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Spending money on items made by companies who care about sustainability is not only great for the environment but for your savings account too.

Livia is is the co-founder and Creative Director of Eco-Age – the leading consulting and creative agency specialized in integrated sustainability, and founder of the Green Carpet Challenge (GCC). She is renowned for creating compelling frameworks and campaigns for environmental and social justice with global reach. 

In this episode…

I am joined by Livia Firth MBE to discuss the clothes you are wearing right now, the fast fashion and mass production that we all buy into and how it has a dark side that many of us tend to ignore: the social impact. She discusses how young people are being brainwashed by these giant companies to keep spending their money on fast fashion. They are purposely targeted on social media platforms and are incited to spend more and consume more products from these particular brands. And, she explains how the environmental impact of such business practices in the clothing industry is huge. It is destructive to the environment through air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and landfill. We then dive into what we can do right now to lessen the impact, what clothes are more sustainable for the environment, and what to look for and what to avoid when purchasing new clothes. 

Livia is is the co-founder and Creative Director of Eco-Age – the leading consulting and creative agency specialized in integrated sustainability, and founder of the Green Carpet Challenge (GCC). She is renowned for creating compelling frameworks and campaigns for environmental and social justice with global reach. 

With Eco-Age, Livia also produced the award winning documentary The True Cost, and the mini series Fashionscapes now available on Amazon Prime. Livia also co-wrote and produced The Green Carpet Fashion Awards 2020 – the first event in the world to be filmed using augmented reality, hologram technology and special effects.  The film is now available on Sky and YouTube’s Fashion Channel.