The Impact I Am Committed To Having On The Future Of Fashion

An extraordinary Future of Fashion is something I am committed to creating.  Let’s have a look and explore what that could be.

The Future of Fashion certainly holds great potential for innovation and creativity.  My fundamental direction for the Future of Fashion would be around a massive drive to Sustainability and reduction in waste.  Firstly, there would need to be a fundamental shift in how people shop and consume fashion.  Be aware and conscious of their choices; once that is addressed, we can create something amazing.  

How do I want the future of fashion to be?  I want it to be collaborative, creative, powerful and beautiful.  Somewhere genuinely inspiring and a place with opportunities for those who want to create them.

Let’s start with the elimination of low, low-price, fast fashion.  How would we do that?  Could we eliminate the vast amounts of polyester and plastic products by repurposing them for other means?  Is there a way that we can get rid of those from the face of the planet?   

As we look at the luxury sector, how do we deal with that?  Surely, there are enough items on the planet to be resold, upcycled, reused and re-purposed in so many magical ways.   

What if we want newness; the individual need for newness needs to be addressed.  How do we address that?  Do we have to have a solution for how we treat those items at the end of their - life after we’ve consumed them? 

Is it all about responsibility, creativity and creating a future where fashion is art, a creative art, rather than a depletion of the environment and the lives of people making it?  That is a question worth asking and one that I’m really inspired to find solutions for.

Having said all of this, my primary motivation is to educate.  Only through education will we be able to change the minds and actions of people.  Change the minds of current generations, and undoubtedly future generations, to have them present and aware of what their consumption means.  To have them present and be mindful of what their creativity and contribution means.  It’s important to have them understand collaboration, partnership and the impact of their actions on the lives of others and the environment.  To make the Future of Fashion more than an opportunity for a few people to get very rich at the cost of others.

This is something very important to me.  You know that - you have read these blogs for some time.  So here is my declaration to the Future of Fashion.

In the coming months, I will launch an extraordinary community with a signature programme where we can all learn about the Future of Fashion and create it together.  This is an extraordinary opportunity and something I’ve spent a long time developing and creating.  I look forward to inviting you all to join me in the incredible opportunity to create this future.  Watch the space!

And as always, have fun, love life, and enjoy fashion.

Thank you.

Kate  x

My Excitement For The Future Of Fashion Education.

As someone who writes frequently about THE FUTURE OF FASHION AND SUSTAINABLE FASHION, I am very interested in the future of FASHION EDUCATION.  

My own education in fashion was the fulfilment of a dream.  Going to fashion college was something I could never have believed was possible for me, a girl from the northeast of England, where unemployment was very high.  To pass your education in a creative industry was something way beyond what I thought or considered available to me.  Nevertheless, I got there and graduated from Fashion Knitwear with BA honours at what is now Trent University with a First Class Degree.

This summer, I had the pleasure of having an intern from the UK, Hepsi, a student in Fashion in Leeds.  Spending time with her and discussing the future of fashion really made me consider more and more about education and how it was preparing future designers for the industry.

Here are my reflections. 

What is important for fashion education now is probably very different from when I studied.  The industry has changed significantly, as you will have explored in my previous blogs.  What we learned about was how to design, how to knit, how to sew, how to draw, and technical aspects.  We were taught very little about the business side.  In my course, we were fortunate enough to have a good connection with the industry, including industrial placements, both in the UK and overseas.  These opportunities equipped us to be able to obtain jobs after graduating.

MACROECONOMICS AND GLOBAL AWARENESS: I would propose that it’s essential to understand macroeconomics and global awareness.  The world has changed and is constantly evolving.  There are so many different aspects of the fashion industry; it is a vast global business.  As a fashion student, do you want to belong to that? Do you want to work in price entry, fast fashion, mid-tier, luxury or bespoke?  Where are those areas you are so interested in designed, produced, sold and marketed?

WHICH JOB: What kind of position do you want to hold?  Do you really want to be a designer or textile expert?  Somebody involved in a sustainable fashion industry, a technician, an influencer, a social media marketer, or a journalist.  On reflection, I didn’t have much idea, and I purely went by my gut.  I have always gone between being super creative and very business-focused.  It’s something I still am constantly balancing; my focused and pragmatic side is all about business and making things work -  enabling businesses to grow.

Meanwhile, my creative side pursues beauty, creativity and magic with a little concern for building a business.  Art for art’s sake, fashion for fashion’s sake.  This is an area each fashion student really needs to understand, which is all about themselves.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION: The next subject, which is so important for the future, is sustainable fashion.  As a future fashion person, I ask: is sustainability fundamental to you? Are you an aware consumer,  and do you want to make an impact on the future of the industry?  Have you considered your own buying patterns, and why are you getting into this industry?  After years in a fashion career, watching the monumental growth of fast fashion and other aspects of fashion, I’ve seen the impact of this from all ends of the spectrum, including the growth and success of the fashion industry.  I’ve also experienced the impact on the planet, on human rights and the wastefulness of the industry.  What part do you want to play in that?

BUSINESS: The next part is the business of fashion and entrepreneurship.  This is critical for anyone going into the fashion business. You really need to understand how to create a business for yourself.  I would recommend that every fashion student start some money-making enterprise during their time in fashion college.  Whether they get a part-time job, work in social media, create a micro brand or just start selling T-shirts.  This is incredibly relevant and critical to your success and fulfilment as a future member of the fashion business.

ONLINE LEARNING: How we learn is very relevant. I went to a fashion college, and I’m very pleased that I did, and yet now the cost of going to college is pretty high, with student loans being long-standing friends.  

I have also learned a tremendous amount through online learning, which is an essential part of your own development as a designer, businessperson, entrepreneur, or someone who can make a significant impact on the future of fashion.  This provides the opportunity to learn things outside of a university degree.  If that’s where you go, it can give you the opportunity to be mentored by teachers who operate online, the opportunity to gather a cohort of other fashion students from all aspects of the industry, whether they are also university students, people pursuing fashion part-time, people in the industry.  The beauty of online and digital learning is it brings the world together.

This brings me to my next point, which is to introduce my fashion community, my online platform that I will be launching imminently.  This is a free online community where you can learn so much about the future of fashion, connect with other like-minded people, make an impact, and really enjoy the Future of Fashion.

Stay tuned for more information.

Take care, and enjoy fashion; love life.

Kind regards, 

Kate

How Has Fashion Changed In The Last Two Decades?

This is an interesting, fascinating and complex subject, somewhat triggered by the recent trend for Y2K Fashion.  We can consider this subject from many directions, all relating to strategic and fundamental steps forward in the Fashion Business.   

As I started to consider what has really happened in the fashion industry in the past 20 years, the first thing that came to mind were the trends, and when considering the Y2K, that trend has come back around.  Therefore, initially, we noticed that things generally come back around, and we return to where we were, however many years ago.  Is that progress, or are we living with constantly repeating trends in life as well as in fashion?

However, upon further reflection, there have been some extraordinary steps forward in the business of fashion.

FAST FASHION: The first area to consider is the extraordinary rise of fast fashion.  Twenty years ago, fast fashion was just beginning to gain some momentum.  Zara had opened stores in much of Europe during the ‘90s and, in the early 2000s, were opening in Asia.  People were actively talking about it, and by the early 2000s, Zara had made tremendous progress, not only in sales but also in the impact it had on the industry.   As a whole, there were always key competitors like H&M and later Fast Retailing’s famous brand, namely, Uniqlo, which opened its first international outlet in 2011.  The American junior brands were very prevalent, Abercrombie and Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters and other Contenders from Limited Brands.  So this was what was happening in fast fashion.  There were many stores, with lots of on-trend clothing that people wanted to buy because of their speed to market and the relevance, but primarily the cost.  This massive direction for fast fashion essentially changed consumer behaviour.  Discussing fashion with anyone who started shopping post-2000 is a different conversation.  They’ve grown up with fast fashion, and they have a very different relationship with clothes and shopping, good or bad.  It is what it is, and this trend certainly democratises fashion.  As we reflect many years later, we look at the collateral impact on the planet, on peoples’ behaviour and fundamentally on how it has changed the industry.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION: The next topic is the rise of sustainable fashion.  Well, that was kind of a slow starter.  People only started to talk about sustainable fashion around 2010 unless they were early adopters.  I will keep this subject quite brief as I talk about this at length in many of my other blogs.  The trend for sustainable fashion really kicked off around 2015.  The tragic collapse of Rana Plaza in Bangladesh was a turning point for the awareness of the impact of fast fashion on human rights and pollution.  Whatever caused the considerable momentum for this subject, let’s explore that in a later blog.

TECHNOLOGY AND ECOMMERCE:  In 2000, there was no fashion e-commerce.  That seems unbelievable now.  Net-A-Porter started in June 2000, and I remember joining the waiting list for Net-A-Porter’s launch to be one of the first customers.  I bought a pair of white crop Roland Mouret pants.  Oh, I wish I’d kept them!  At that stage, it was the early adopters who were purchasing online.  How different life is now, especially post-pandemic, when so many people shopped online while they were in lockdown at home.  To add to this subject, Influencers and KOLs really didn’t exist until 2008.  Digital marketing is a huge business that didn’t exist 20 years ago.

BODY POSITIVITY AND INCLUSIVITY:  This has been an enormous step forward in the industry.  Previously, clothing for different body shapes and sizes was not readily available.  There was such limited availability of anything for anyone over a 14 or 16 UK size.  Those brands working in oversize did not make inspiring clothes; how different things are now when many brands focus on this area.  Likewise, with inclusivity and gender identities, which are in their early days, there is so much more to explore here.  We have extraordinary designers and influencers like Harris Reed; there is so much potential in this area.

LUXURY: Next, how about the vast expansion of luxury fashion?  Clearly, I’ve talked about this subject in my blogs many times.  The massive growth of the luxury juggernaut, as I always phrase it, has been extraordinary.  It is the higher price point reflection of the fast fashion industry, and as I have questioned before, is luxury really luxury anymore?  But that’s for another blog.  The influence of luxury fashion on consumer behaviour is significant.  This is an indication of the accumulation of influences from fast fashion, social media and desirability, not to mention the increasing number of influencers and celebrity fashion.  It’s become normal to collect 5 to 10,000 US$ bags and talk about them on YouTube.  I’m not judging, but how did that happen?

In summary, a lot has happened in the fashion business in the past 20 years.  This blog only briefly touches on these subjects, but let’s explore more as we move on.  Having discussed these areas it’s given me a mixed perspective of the fashion industry over the last 20+ years.  As I reflect, there are some extraordinary steps forward and real bright lights and hopes for the future.  Yet, equally, I am very conscious of the growth of consumerism and the impact that democratised fashion and consumer behaviours have on the planet. 

Let’s look forward to a future where these critical threats are addressed and to a bright future in fashion where creativity, beauty and joy are celebrated for all.

As always, enjoy fashion and love life.

Kind regards,

Kate

Kate Padget-Koh

How To Have Fun With Fashion In A Conscious Way

Welcome back!  I’m so happy to have you here on this fun journey to the Future of Fashion, where we are conscious consumers who love our clothes and enjoy Fashion.

In the past two blogs, we have explored seven ways to build a Sustainable Wardrobe.  We have been developing a personal methodology for enjoying fashion while being conscious and aware of your consumption and the impacts of the overproduction of fashion on the planet.  As Fashion lovers, we may find ourselves in the challenging place between wanting to engage with the beauty of fashion and feeling conflicted by how fashion brands and businesses impact life on this planet.  I have certainly experienced this conflict myself.  I have worked in fashion for my entire career, yet in the past decade, I have felt I should not buy things or feel guilty for my involvement in such a wasteful industry.  I am clear that I want to enjoy fashion while being a conscious consumer.  Hence, I have developed this methodology for myself and am sharing it with you.  

The next steps are here:

8. Upcycle your clothes; give them a new sense of life and creativity.  

9. Feel blessed if you have beautiful vintage.  Wear and enjoy it.

10.  Share your beautiful journey with others, document it, and inspire others.

So, let’s dive into this and explore the magic of the material this week.

Point 8 - Upcycle your clothes; give them a new sense of life and creativity.  

If you have followed my content for some time, you will know of my commitment to Upcycling.  The magic of recreating your old clothes into something beautiful which suits your life now and for the future.  Upcycling is a form of Demi-couture, an art form, especially when it is executed by DesignBlender.  My first experience with the lovely Alexa was an extraordinary one.  I gave her a “Victor and Rolf” dress, which was lovely but did not suit my body.  I had been unwilling to part with the dress; the fabric was coral-coloured silk satin with gorgeous lace and was so amazing.  Alexa took the dress and interviewed me for what I love in Fashion, my style ethos, and any imagery I could share.  We aligned on a direction, and the result was an extraordinary dress I have worn and will wear much more.  I love it so much.  I have since worked on many pieces with Alexa and a beautiful Saint Laurent Blazer with Matt Hui from The Design Clinic.  

Upcycling is an example of how creative and magical Sustainable Fashion can be.  While it is not the cheapest way to use old clothes, it is definitely the closest to art and couture we may have.  Not only is this a unique experience, it is an extraordinary example of sustainability, as when we have these pieces, they come with a story to share.  Sharing Sustainable fashion stories is so important as it creates the opportunity to engage with fashion in this way, too.

Point 9 - Feel blessed if you have beautiful vintage.  Wear and enjoy it.

Vintage clothing has become increasingly popular.  While it is a Sustainable Fashion example, there are also personal preferences.  Some people experience a stigma or personal barrier to buying clothes previously worn by someone else.  Some people (myself included) are put off by the smell of work clothes in vintage outlets.  This is my experience; however, many people love vintage and love to buy from thrift and vintage shops.  

However, I do have some of my own vintage; this is something I love and treasure so much.  I have many items I have kept from the late ‘90s and early 2000s.  These pieces are absolute gems in my wardrobe.  These are a great reason to remain the size I was 20-plus years ago.  I have early Prada, Miu Miu and amazing Tom Ford’s Gucci.  Vintage clothing offers us so much as an experience.  It provides a view of the past in fashion, style, fabric and manufacturing techniques.  Equally, a part of our lives is connected to that era.  We are literally wearing ‘Living History”.  

Point 10 - Share your beautiful journey with others, document it, and inspire others.

I have shared so much regarding types of Sustainable Fashion.  Yet, the only way we discover more about the subject and opportunities in sustainable fashion is due to learning from other people - like me.  As you start or continue to explore your sustainable fashion journey, document it in your own way.  Regardless of whether you think you can’t write well or are self-conscious.  This is not about you; it is so much bigger than you.  The way we learn about sustainable fashion and being a conscious consumer is through other people sharing their passions and experiences.  This is important and critical to the sustainable fashion movement.  This is where we create the “Future of Fashion”

I trust that by now, you have a clear view of being a conscious consumer and creating your own future of fashion.  You are always welcome to join my community and learn more.  

As always, have fun; love life. 

Kind regards

Kate

Kate Padget-Koh

How You Can Create Your Own Sustainable Wardrobe

In the previous two blogs, we have explored how to have peace of mind with your wardrobe, enjoying your clothes and fashion without guilt for over-consumption and climate crisis.  We have clearly established being conscious and powerful in our own consumption and relationship with clothes.  A key solution is to develop your own methodology for a sustainable wardrobe.  So, how do we do this? 

Last week, we explored my initial four points and here are the next three key points for making this happen.  Some of these are areas and actions I have discovered for myself and seen other climate and sustainably-conscious friends also adopt.

5. Challenge yourself to wear your old clothes.  Invent new outfits, be creative and enjoy yourself.

6. Swap clothes with others.

7. Buy from your beloved brands, those you love and identify with - those you will wear for many years and then gift.

Point 5 - Challenge yourself to wear your old clothes.  Invent new outfits, be creative and enjoy yourself.  

Many of us have a lot of clothes in our wardrobes.  However, it is estimated we wear only around 20% of our clothes 80% of the time.  This indicates that we own far more clothes than we need.  We habitually reach for the same few outfits and wear them until we are bored with them and buy something new.  This is very much a trend-focused way of dressing, not what we are committed to when pursuing a sustainable wardrobe.  As a way forward, commit to wearing all of your clothes.  Take time to build outfits, combine your older and less worn pieces with cooler, newer or stand-out accessories and pop-colour shoes.  Apply other strategies, including allowing items to remain unworn for six months; if it is not worn for six months, you are not going to wear it, then discard it.  You can also limit the number of items you own, which will then make you focus on the items you will wear repeatedly.  My dear friend Gemma Metheringham IG: @the_elephant_in_my_wardrobe has beautifully documented her journey to no-buying and wearing the same 200 pieces of clothing.  However you do this, the commitment is to revisit those older, less-worn pieces and wear them with greater frequency.  Make it fun by creating a goal of wearing three outfits incorporating a piece every week.  You will certainly discover something about yourself and your personal style.

Point 6 - Swap clothes with others.

Discarding clothes needs to be done responsibly.  These once cherished and so precious items of clothing can quickly become old, dated and unwanted, ultimately discarded.  Swapping clothing can be a great way to prolong their lives and allow others to enjoy your pieces for longer.  You can create a Swap Party and make a fun event by sharing your clothes.  Gifting and swapping gives new life to no longer wanted clothes.   

Point 7 - Buy from your beloved brands, those you love and identify with - those you will wear for many years and then gift.

Everyone has brands they love, ones they feel are their most beloved.  For me, I have a few - Missoni, For Restless Sleepers, Eres, and Sharon Wauchob, among others.  For some of these Brands, I have pieces I have owned and worn for 20 years.  I bought my first Missoni dress around 20 years ago, which I wore extensively and have since had it upcycled to prolong its life.  Knowing how much this label is evocative of my style, I have added to what I consider my “Missoni Collection”.  Those items are treasured, cared for and worn while carefully preserving their lives.  Treating these beloved clothes with care and attention is important.  The same goes for “For Restless Sleepers” - I take them away on trips, wear them on many occasions, and always look to add pieces to the collection.  As these brands are very suited to your lifestyle, it makes for a more capsule wardrobe, as your other clothes and accessories complement the mood and image you have so thoughtfully curated and developed.

However you follow these conscious wardrobe creation steps, they provide a thought process for considering how to build and further develop a conscious and sustainable wardrobe while still having fun with fashion.

As always - have fun; love life.

Kind regards,

Kate

Kate Padget-Koh