180: Our story of pioneering change in the fashion industry

You have a voice. It’s as simple as that. Your voice carries the power to pioneer change within the world, and that’s really how this all began. 

WHAT WE’RE DOING

Our platform, 180, aims to help people navigate the climate crisis in a manageable and enjoyable way. We want to instil a passion for sustainability and encourage different ways that we as a community can make small but impactful changes without feeling overwhelmed. We’re learning alongside everyone too, so whilst we learn, we teach. Hopefully, we are opening people’s minds to a new way of living through that. 

Fashion is our area of expertise, but we want to grow in every area of living sustainably. We challenge ourselves and build a community to support each other. We currently have an Instagram, Tiktok, blog and a podcast. We’d love for you to join our community and learn with us!

180 x Just Love event sharing about the need for sustainability and environmental justice in the fashion industry

HOW IT STARTED

It started with friendship and joint anger towards the world’s injustices. We both grew up in privileged families with good education and opportunities. We’ve travelled to different parts of the world and been challenged by the greediness of Western culture and felt confronted with our roles to play. We’re here because we think we must use this privilege to speak up against injustice. 

So, in October 2021, we had our first meeting and discussed how we could utilise our passions to create change. We both love fashion, and fashion introduced us to the sustainability movement. 

Meg (left) and Grace (right)

WHY WE’RE ANTI-FAST FASHION

The fashion industry is worth £2 trillion. It employs around 60 million workers and has an overwhelming attachment to modern slavery and child labour. Many factory workers in the global majority work extreme hours for less than a liveable wage. They are subject to physical and emotional abuse. Some examples of this are workers being stabbed with pencils, thrown off the roof of a factory, or forced to stand for 16 hours. This is very real, and this is happening as we speak. 

Fashion is also the second most polluting industry in the world. It can take up to 2,700 litres of water to make a simple t-shirt, not to mention all the dyes and pesticides that then pollute our waters. It’s because of this that we choose only to buy second hand. In only buying second hand, we believe that it is an act of defiance that brands will have to listen to once the crowds follow. We notice they already are, as sustainability is now on their radar… although make sure to look out for greenwashing.

THE BIBLICAL STANDPOINT

It’s all written right at the start of the Bible. In Genesis 2:15, after God made man, it says, ‘the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.’ It’s clear that our God-given purpose has been to work and look after our planet since the beginning. Through overconsumption, we’ve fallen short of this Biblical command, and the world is suffering due to climate change. 

Look at the second greatest command, ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Mark 12:31). This is relevant because our brothers and sisters are making our clothes. Therefore, we should be seeking justice for them. 

HOW YOU CAN USE YOUR VOICE

Becoming a voice for change is scary. We have many days where we experience imposter syndrome or worry that we will fail and our voices won’t be heard. We often have to hype each other up and push ourselves out of our comfort zones. Sometimes, people are gifted with huge confidence and a big extroverted personality. They know exactly what to say and how to communicate it. That’s so wonderful, and we love that! 

However, we know that can make some people feel their personalities don’t qualify with being an activist and using your voice. Don’t be fooled! Your voice is most powerful amongst your friendships, your family, your workplace and just doing life. We’ve had life-changing conversations over a meal or a coffee with the people we love or witnessed how others live. Be empowered by the positive actions you take, and don’t shy away from telling the people around you about them. 

‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.’

Proverbs 31:8

Let’s make a 180!

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