Today is May 4th (may the fourth be with you!!; sorry couldn’t help myself, I’m not even a Star Wars fan!) and over the last week or so you cant help but notice people discussing or getting excited over Me Made May. I’ve certainly seen and heard about this before, along with slow fashion October but until this post I have never spoken of it, let alone shared my thoughts on this movement online/ through social media.
Over the last 3-4 years I’ve made a shift in my personal wardrobe. I can’t pinpoint exactly when that shift started to occur or the thought popped into my head but it did. I have slowly become more conscientious as I buy. To the best of my ability the garments that are purchased in my closet must be 100% NATURAL fibers (silk, cotton, linen, wool, cashmere…etc) and if for whatever reason they cannot be (nylon in socks and underwear for example) the item (like an undergarment) MUST be at least 50% NATURAL fiber…
Why, you may be asking yourself, does this have to do with me made may? well, it more directly applies to me personally. You see, I work in the fashion industry- I see, very much on a daily basis how much clothing gets put into development, how much is cast aside before it is even seen by a buyer, and then once again half a collection “disappear” before you see it in stores. I actually have to partially shut down the made by hand part of me when I’m putting a collection into work. Again, you may ask- WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME MADE MAY?! well ok, yes you have a point, not a LOT… but it means a lot to me. While the company I work for has a pretty relaxed dress code- I sometimes have to dress “appropriately” (aka- wear my line) for certain meetings- and handmade items unfortunately don’t make the cut. And most of my handmade items are also my accessories, and there are only so many ways to wear a wool scarf or shawl, and then those don’t really work during the summer months. So- since I currently need to buy portions of my wardrobe I try to make up for it by buying natural fibers. And when I can take this a little further I like to try to buy small/ buy conscious clothing. This bit doesn’t always happen but it is something I do my best to keep in mind.
This year I wont be able to fully take part in the me made may movement BUT any chance I get to throw on one of my self-made pieces you bet I seize that moment!
Happy May to all….
XO
Christine