A guide to slow fashion and sustainable textiles in Singapore

Fast fashion is a term used to describe inexpensive designs that are made quickly and affordably for the masses to keep up with new trends. Because there are multiple seasonal collections to roll out, fashion retailers feel pressured to keep up to maximise sales – at the expense of low wage workers.

Enter slow fashion. It is the antidote to fast fashion and a way to reconnect us with the people who make the garments we wear. According to Nicolette and Justine from the local label, Wray Crafted: "It takes a step back from viewing fashion as a commodity and instead looks at its roots as a product created by the hands of skilled professionals, makers and artisans."

It's more than just the environmental issues. Nicolette and Justine also explain that ethically made materials focus on the who. Their own label of women's clothing is produced alongside local artisans in Udaipur and made in small batches. The cotton industry is historically rife with poor labour conditions so in a broad sense, ethically made is a commitment to fair pay and safe work conditions for those who grow, harvest, process, weave, and print fabrics.

Sunday Bedding was founded in November 2018 from a place of necessity. It all started when founders Clara and Alex were shopping for sheets and were struck by the lack of affordable and high-quality linen, as well as the confusing and often misleading terminology. With Alex’s background in home textiles – his family has specialised in the manufacturing of textiles for three decades – they decided to start Sunday Bedding to expand the bedding options available in the market.  

Sunday Bedding linen is made with three key fabrics: bamboo rayon, French linen and organic cotton – and for a reason. About 90 percent of textiles production in the global industry is in cotton or polyester, which results in an imbalance in the environmental footprint as cotton cultivation is extremely water-intensive. Bamboo cultivation requires 80 percent less water compared to cotton, and the company sources from suppliers that ensure chemicals used during the production process are properly treated before being released back into the environment. Bamboo rayon is also particularly cooling and moisture-wicking which is great for Singapore’s warm weather. 

French linen is derived from flax, a plant that is extremely versatile and where every single part of the plant is used to create a worthwhile product (like linseed oil). Linen is also extremely long-lasting and can last between five to ten years or even more, which reduces the need for replacement in the long-term.

Finally, Sunday Bedding also has a collection of organic cotton sheets (and will be launching organic cotton towels). The organic cotton used is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified, which means that no chemicals have been used throughout the production value chain. 

When shopping for textiles, there are three major aspects to consider when assessing if a product is sustainably made. The first would be the environmental impact of the textile, which encompasses its carbon footprint, water usage and any toxic waste generated. The second is social – whether the workers are being paid fairly. And finally, what's not usually discussed is the durability of the product and how users treat and care for it. For instance, up to 60 percent of the environmental footprint of a textile product is driven by the washing and drying of your garment. 

Clara of Sunday Bedding also adds, "Choose comfort and durability over trends. It’s okay to wear the same article of clothing repeatedly, and there isn’t really a need to have a new item for every occasion. Try different ways to mix and match, or accessorise with the same articles of clothing!"

Before purchasing any textile product, do read the product label. It can inform you about the quality of the product, and how sustainable the material is. The next level would be to do some research about the brand – the more information they disclose about their supply chain, the more you can be assured that it is ethically-made. It may take an extra minute to make your purchase decision, but what’s an extra minute for something well-made and long-lasting?

Besides Sunday Bedding and Wray Crafted, there are many other local labels that not only sell fashion and everyday products for the self and home but also help bring people together to engage in dialogue on how to live more mindfully in terms of what we consume.

Susannah from Zerrin leads discussions on her social media and shop platforms about how to reconcile enjoying fashion while consuming more mindfully and thinking about the impact our purchases have on the environment, Agatha, who runs The Green Collective, is also an advocate of both buying and living mindfully. Both of these brands carry an amazing line-up of brands that are rooted in similar values of being as low-impact on the environment and ethical as possible.

The Fashion Pulpit and Fashion Revolution Singapore also encourage clothes swapping to reduce waste and your impact on the environment.

Another homegrown label Source Collections is known for the only thing it stocks – t-shirts made out of Tencel. The fabric is one of the garment industry’s most eco-friendly fibres and the brand is also clean and upfront about where and how its t-shirts are made. Its factory in China follows stringent ethical practices and the staff work in a bright, clean and comfortable environment while earning respectable wages. On top of that, your t-shirts come in eco-friendly packaging as well.

And you're ready to change your ways – it’s always important to remember that there’s no one size fits all approach. Reflect on what works for you, do what you feel you can and focus on taking one step at a time. 

The founders of Wray Crafted warn that it’s easy to get swept up and feel like you need to do it all – which might not always be possible for you to achieve – or feel discouraged that your actions don’t seem to account for much in the larger scheme of things.

"You might also feel like certain things are out of reach due to limited resources or budget. Don’t be discouraged, just remember that every step you take towards a more ethical, lower impact lifestyle does help." They add, "Surround yourself with content that will allow you to keep learning more. Many of us are on this journey together and sharing and engaging with each other is a great way to feel supported and gain knowledge."