Western ‘Fast Fashion’ That Pollutes African Beaches

Ghana is home to a second-hand clothes industry where unwanted Western clothes are shipped for resale — but the African nation is now struggling to cope with demand.

The garments are donated by well-meaning Westerners and locals will receive them in the hope that they uncover a few good-quality finds to sell.

Everything that cannot be sold is just thrown away (and this is about 40%).

The problem is compounded by an increase in the flow of “disposable” outfits, which negatively affects the textile sector in Ghana, as local merchants are unable to compete with the flow of cheap clothes from abroad.

You can see how this market works from the inside in an 11-minute video (I highly recommend this mini-documentary!)

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New installation at Gardens By The Bay

The 7m-tall Sumatra Tiger made of waste materials was installed at Bayfront Plaza, Gardens By The Bay.

The installation was created by artist Bordalo II and made out of trash from all over Singapore. From trash to treasure.

The tiger has a widely colorful exterior and definitely will not be missed. Must visit!

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Learn Weaving for Free with “Earth Renew Sweat Project”🇸🇬

You probably saw these types of carpets in IKEA or in your grandma’s house.

Earth Renew Sweat Project (ERSP) has one loom and as yarns, they use fashion waste.
Knitted materials such as T-Shirts are the best for this purpose. If you have any at home, take them with you. If not, don’t worry there are yarns that were already prepared, or you just can help guys to cut new yarns, they have some t-shirts too.

It’s very easy, I learnt it in a few minutes and it’s really fun. One couple today also brought their daughter (5-6y.o) and she loved the process too.

Location:
Tekka Place (Mall in Little India)
2nd floor, above the escalator
Thursday - Sunday, 2-6 p.m (until 21st August).
Registration or booking is not needed.

In the next post, I’ll tell you more about “Earth Renew Sweat Project” and what you can learn and do there ❤️

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Insane! Now the leather is made from mushrooms.

"Bolt Threads" is a start-up that makes bio-based leather alternative from mycelium mushrooms, which obviously are less harmful to the environment.
Mycelium is a vast, renewable, interconnected web naturally found beneath forest floors.

Mushroom leather is strong, flexible, and durable, just like traditional leather. It is also waterproof.
It is biodegradable and non-toxic.

The mycelium used to make Mylo is grown in less than two weeks using just mulch, air, and water in a vertical agriculture facility that is 100% powered by renewable energy.
The current estimated price of mushroom leather lands at about $50 per square foot. Which is about the same as high-end animal leather.

The brand already collaborated with: Adidas, Stella McCartney, lululemon, etc.

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Detailed info about “Earth Renew Sweat Project”

You can:
- Donate your clothes
- Take donated clothes for free
- Use sewing machines & overlocker for free
- Use a loom (make a carpet) also for free

What they accept: womenswear, kidswear, menswear. If you have some fabrics at home - also can bring them. No shoes.
IMPORTANT: they accept damaged fabrics (with holes, marks) – these pieces people use to create artworks ❤️

If you’re a fashion design student:
- There are a lot of fabric swatches that you can take and use for your projects
- I left the draping dummy there, you’re welcome to use it.

Where:
Tekka Place Mall (Little India)
2nd floor (just above the escalator),
Thursday - Sunday 2-6 pm
Until 21st August.

In TikTok someone suggested donating clothes to H&M – please, please, don’t do that 🙏🏻
Some huge scandals happened to them because H&M wasn’t truthful about its recycling program and sustainability. I’ll write a post about this brand.