SUSTAINABLE STYLE
The JUNO Awards are taking place March 24th in Halifax this year, and it’s got us thinking about what the nominees will be wearing! When it comes to the red carpet, sustainability is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. But fashion plays a significant role at awards events like this one, as most people spend a lot of time thinking about what they will wear given the potential for them to be in the spotlight. So, we at FTA think it is an excellent opportunity to make a statement, for people and the planet!
This year, we collaborated with Music Declares Emergency & Halifax JUNOs to bring you a guide to Greening the JUNO awards red carpet! Read more below, and download the guide today!
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY THAT?
The fashion industry is one of the world’s worst offenders, from intense resource extraction and carbon emissions to the use of toxic chemicals and water pollution – the list goes on. The industry also takes a toll on the wellbeing of people. There are more than 70 million global garment workers, most of them women, who are not paid a living wage, who face gender-based violence, work in conditions that expose them to cancer causing chemicals, or in factories that are simply not safe. And, in some cases, their children are pulled from school and also forced to work in fields or factories.
The biggest issue is that the fashion industry operates in a linear economic system, or one of take, make, use, waste. Natural resources are taken to make clothing, which we wear and then dispose of. And this last part happens quicker than you might think. We now buy 60% more clothing today than we did 20 years ago, and we keep them for half as long. In fact, the average garment is worn only seven times! And, when it comes to special “red carpet” events, that number drops significantly.
You are likely familiar with the waste hierarchy: reduce, reuse, recycle. But, when it comes to fashion we have created the 7Rs : reduce, reuse, repair, repurpose, rent, resell, with recycling as a last resort. The 7Rs of fashion can (and should) be applied to both our everyday clothing and also when getting red carpet ready.
Arts and culture, including the music industry, can play a huge role in turning things around. Not only do you have the opportunity to reduce your own footprint (and feel good about doing the right thing) but you also have fans you can easily influence to do the right thing too. Invite them to join you on your journey towards a more sustainable future by turning your red carpet look, green!
We’ve put together a few tips to help you do just that.
