By Lauryn Jelsema, Culture Editor
On March 18, from 5-8 p.m., TRIO Student Support Services in collaboration with the Center for Sustainability, hosted its Threads of Change: A Slow Fashion Makeover event in the Wege Ballroom.
Clothing swap table – Photo by Lauryn Jelsema
Volunteers at the event shared with students and staff at the different tables factst about fast fashion and how to make small changes in their lives to combat its harmful effects .
According to the Center for Sustainability’s facts from the event, clothing production has doubled in the last 15 years. However, consumers tend to wear clothing pieces for half as long, throwing away an average of 81 pounds per person annually in the U.S. alone.
Fast fashion clothes are primarily made from cheap synthetic, petroleum-based fibers such as polyester, nylon, acrylic and spandex. This is not only harmful to the environment, but is also harmful to people’s health. These fabrics are often treated with hazardous dyes and finishing chemicals, and can trigger allergic reactions and long-term health risks due to toxin absorption.
“Fast fashion may seem cheap, but if you’re repurchasing every year, it’s more expensive in the long run,” said Nisha van Laar, AQ’s Director for the Center for Opportunities, Resources, and Excellence and one of the organizers of the event. “You might as well spend 5 dollars on a shirt that lasts 5 years.”
Helpful tips were shared during the event such as buying quality over quantity, supporting sustainable brands, donating or recycling your clothes, spreading awareness and making mindful choices. Emphasizing that although these habits may seem small-scale, a large amount of involvement can make meaningful change.
There was an array of different stations set up in the Wege Ballroom, including a clothing swap where participants were encouraged to take items or even donate their old, unwanted clothes. The most popular was the hands-on makeover station. There were fabric paints, stamps, stencils and even a sewing machine. Anything on the donate table was up for grabs to alter and curate to a participant’s style.
Events like Threads of Change can help raise awareness for large-scale environmental issues, and the small shifts in behavior that result can add up to significant positive impacts for both people and the planet.
A student’s painted piece – Photo by Lauryn Jelsema
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