Our Sustainable Commitment
Our Sustainable Commitment
OUR VISION
We believe the future of dressing begins with maximising and editing the clothes you already own.
What Makes Us Sustainable
MYVOS® was founded on the belief that “The Future of Dressing” starts in our own Wardrobes with the collection of clothes we already own. Our goal is to change the way you feel about every single item of clothing you possess, by caring for it, enjoying wearing it, maximising how you style it, and when you no longer need it making it available for someone else to love. We advocate similar principles when advising on how to add to your clothes collection too – will you get maximum wear, enjoy it, care for it, and be able to move it on or dispose of it ethically when you no longer require it?
Our Editing service promotes this “circular-fashion” mindset, giving you all the advice and support you need for as long as you need it, making your future fashion and clothing choices sustainable, and in the process giving you the wardrobe of clothes you deserve.
#TheFutureOfDressing
OUR MISSION
“To make sustainable, circular fashion the norm of everyday life in a bid to stop the ethical and environmental havoc caused by fast-fashion”
Why are we doing it?
Because the fast-fashion phenomenon is exploiting our people and destroying our planet, both during production and through disposal, at an alarming rate. It’s cheap, throwaway, clutters our homes and minds, is unsustainable and most of all it is not providing us with a wardrobe of clothes that we completely cherish or makes us feel our very best.
Do not feel guilty
We’re not asking you to do anything drastic! If it’s already in your Wardrobe, it’s good to wear and be proud to wear! The clothes you already own are the most sustainable and already in circulation. But, do you totally love all your garments, have plenty to wear for all aspects of your lifestyle, without the urge to have to buy more, or panic buy? We have the solution and will help you fall back in love with your clothes - forever.
#MyVeryOwnStylist
Helpful Sustainable Fashion Guide
What is Sustainable Fashion?
There is no such thing as being 100% sustainable with fashion, mainly because washing clothes infuses nature with microfibres and detergents are not all eco-friendly. However we, as consumers, can become more sustainable. This means thinking about what we buy, knowing which philosophies we are supporting through our purchases, and also asking ourself if we are really going to wear that new piece to the extent that it was worth being made. This change in thinking is a movement towards greater ecological integrity and social justice.
#SustainableFashion
What is Circular Fashion?
"Clothes, shoes or accessories that are designed, sourced, produced and provided with the intention to be used and circulated responsibly and effectively in society for as long as possible in their most valuable form, and hereafter return safely to the biosphere when no longer of human use" Dr. Anna Brismar, circularfashion.com
The lengthy sentence above describes circular-fashion in its entirety. It is now our choice to purchase fashion of lasting, stylish quality, and move it on to new owners when we longer require it.
#CircularFashion
Sustainable Clothes Shopping Guide
Buying New
Look for the Brand's Sustainability Policy. If you’re wanting brand new, simply go online and look for the brand's sustainability policy and decide whether you are happy with their conduct.
Limited Collections:
Most brands are starting to make the change and are offering limited collections and offshoots that they say are “eco-friendly” but it’s worth reading the small print too.
All out Green:
If you want to go whole-hog green, you will be paying a higher price tag. However, don’t be quick to rule this out. Even the greenest of retailers are still businesses that need to make a profit, and are aware that if the price is high, the quality and design has to reflect this. You can bag a classic investment buy that will last you a lifetime, or re-sell it at a substantial price - a fine example of circular-fashion!
Buying Pre-Owned
Gone are the days where Second-Hand was seen for those who couldn’t afford better, it's now the hottest trend. It’s big business and comes in the form of pre-loved, pre-worn, worn-once, old-new, nearly-new, un-new, second-hand, vintage, retro, nostalgic…and more!
#SlowFashion
Where to shop Pre-Owned
Clothes Recycle Boutiques: Start local, go in and introduce yourself to the staff and let them know your size and what you’re looking for and they will give you a call. Charity Shops are pretty much doing the same too, and some have separate rails for items still with tags on and higher end pieces.
National Pre-Loved Sales, Swaps & Swishes:
Look for Fashion Re-Boots, Pre-loved sales, Swaps & Swishes. You only need to find one, subscribe to their mailing list and they will tell you next time they are in town.
Digital searches will also work in your favour as technology will push similar event adverts straight to your computer.
Online Market Places:
We have the well known giants such as eBay, Vinted, Depop, also join FB & instagram groups that are specific to your age, taste and style. Farfetch, VestiaireCollective are where you can find high end brands and designer labels at a fraction of the RRP!
Plus, fashion houses and department stores are doing there bit too, and are now buying back their own brands and selling pre-loved. Not only are re-selling but sites like handbagclinic are restoring handbags too.
If you'd like to make the switch to owning a Sustainable Wardrobe and would like to attend a workshop on how to get started, click below
What do you do with your pre-loved clothes?
How do I move on my surplus clothing?
Nearly everybody has clothes surplus to their requirements and this recognition is exemplified by the very reason the above pre-owned market exists, and is such big business!
However, it only exists if you donate or sell your surplus clothes to these marketplaces which forms the epitome of Circular Fashion.
#SustainableLiving
Why should we do any of this?
The choice is fundamentally yours, and here at MYVOS® we can only do our best to inform you about what we believe and why.
We’ve chosen this introduction that was published in 1992 by ucsusa.org to highlight the bigger picture that is still a huge topic today and requires all of us to actively do what we can to protect ourselves and our beautiful planet.
“Human beings and the natural world are on a collision course. Human activities inflict harsh and often irreversible damage on the environment and on critical resources. If not checked, many of our current practices put at serious risk the future that we wish for human society and the plant and animal kingdoms and may so alter the living world that it will be unable to sustain life in the manner that we know. Fundamental changes are urgent if we are to avoid the collision our present course will bring about.”
Still not convinced?
Check out these recent statistics:
2019 wrap.org.uk published - "The value of unused clothing in wardrobes has been estimated at around £30 billion. It is also estimated £140 million worth of clothing goes into landfill each year."
2018 The Times Consumer Affairs Correspondent -
"Britons binned clothes worth £12.5 billion last year as the rise of “throwaway” fashion led to 300,000 tonnes of textiles ending up in landfill."
Andrew Ellson's report went on to say - "On average each person put eight items in the bin, meaning that every household wasted clothes with a purchase value of almost £500, research found. The problem is greatest in spring as people update their wardrobes for warmer weather. More than half of those surveyed admitted throwing away perfectly wearable garments, rather than salvaging them for future use or donating them to friends, family or charity shops."
The future of dressing is here to give you your best collection of clothes and help you make the change to a sustainable wardrobe, forever. Thank you for reading.
Sarah & The MYVOS® team