When I first learned to sew, every piece was made with care and intention. Pieces were made to last. Today, I'm watching an industry that has made clothing completely disposable—and I mean that literally.
As a sustainable fashion designer in Maastricht, I see the contrast between conscious fashion choices and the throwaway culture that dominates today's clothing industry.
When Fashion Becomes Disposable
Here's something that perfectly captures our throwaway culture: when customers want to return items to Shein, the company often tells them to just keep the clothes and issues a credit instead. It's cheaper for them to write off the garment than process a return. Think about that for a moment—clothing has become so worthless that it's not even worth the cost of shipping back.
Key Fast Fashion Statistics:
- The average piece of clothing is only worn 5 times
- 100 billion garments are produced annually worldwide
- 92 million tonnes of clothing end up in landfills each year
- Most fast fashion items contain synthetic materials that take decades to decompose
But what troubles me most? That statistic about five wears. Five! I just can't wrap my head around this.
But here's what really troubles me: "Fast fashion isn't free. Someone, somewhere is paying."
The Hidden Costs We Don't See
Behind every €5 shirt lies a story we'd rather not hear. Garment workers earning below minimum wage, toxic chemicals seeping into water supplies, and clothes designed to fall apart after just a few wears. The urgency to get trends to market means quality control becomes secondary—if it exists at all.
As a mother of three, I think about the world we're leaving behind. The fashion industry's carbon footprint rivals that of air travel and oil. These aren't abstract statistics—they're the reality of choosing quantity over quality.
The Alternative: Conscious Creation
This is precisely why I create the Index Collection. Each piece is:
- Crafted to last years, not (micro)seasons - Using premium fabrics from Italy and France
- Made locally in the Netherlands - Supporting fair wages and transparent production
- Designed with intention - Timeless silhouettes that transcend trends
- Created in small quantities - Quality over volume, always
When you choose one well-made blouse over five fast-fashion alternatives, you're making a statement about your values. You're saying that craftsmanship matters, that workers deserve fair treatment, and that our planet deserves better.
Small Choices, Big Impact in Sustainable Fashion
I'm not asking you to throw out your entire wardrobe tomorrow. Please don't. Most of us own some fast fashion—I certainly did before I knew better. Getting rid of everything at once would just make it disposable all over again.
How to Build a More Sustainable Wardrobe:
- Treasure what you already have - care for those pieces, mend them when needed
- Wear items often (aim for 30+ wears per piece vs. the average 5)
- When you need something new, choose quality over quantity
- Look for timeless designs that won't go out of style
- Support ethical fashion brands that prioritize sustainable practices
That H&M shirt I mentioned in my Instagram post? I've had it for over 10 years because I've taken care of it. When you do need something new—and we all do eventually—that's when you make a conscious choice. Start with one piece. Choose something made with intention over something made solely for profit.
Every conscious choice is a step toward a more sustainable future. And when you look good in something that aligns with your values? That's true luxury!!
The Index Collection represents more than clothing, it's a philosophy of intentional living and ethical fashion. Because sophisticated women deserve sophisticated choices.
Ready to make a conscious choice? Explore the Index Collection
