Emilia Romagna: a region devastated by heavy rain and flooding
Climate change, between natural disasters and man-made activities, brings along massive devastation.
In 36 hours, 50 centimetres of rain fell in Emilia Romagna. In other words, the rainfall the region usually sees throughout half a year. The heavy rains and consequent flooding have devastated a large part of the area. 14 rivers had broken their banks. Ten people died and more than 10,000 had to be evacuated. Some rescued from roofs by helicopters.
In the end, extreme weather events are the result of human actions on the planet. Without any ethical consideration, man acts like the master of nature instead like a part of it. Indeed money is the only concern. Still, humans want to dominate nature, disposing of it in endless exploitation.
“We have traded nature for the economy, but in the end, we all lost. A healthy economy is not possible without healthy ecosystems. Enough with the merchants of doubts: it’s time to act.”
Mario Tozzi
The merchants of doubts are climate change deniers. We shouldn’t even waste time listening to them. Since the 70s, scientists and economists knew what was about to happen. Capitalism is an economic model that brings destruction. Now this destruction is in front of us.
“Here, natural events become catastrophic due to a worsening factor: the concrete with which we have covered the entire territory. If you take away space from a river, sooner or later, it takes it back.” – declared Mario Tozzi.
Concrete monsters, mastodontic shopping malls, intensive farming and, on top of this, fossil fuels are all part of an exploitative system that failed. In fact, climate change and natural disasters are undeniable proof of human activity over nature.
“If we squander our fossil fuels, we threaten civilisation; but if we squander the capital represented by living nature around us, we threaten life itself.” E.F. Schumacher
We must leave this pattern behind and take action now.
Tailoring has nothing to do with mass products. Indeed, they are two worlds apart. Why make this point clear? Because what and how we buy, links to the change we want to make. In fact, it’s about promoting a cultural shift far from the novelty-obsessed fashion industry. To this end, changing the perspective of what we consider new is crucial.
Mass products: ready to wear and trendy items
With the term mass products, we identify the “production of large quantities of a standardised article by an automated mechanical process.” Specifically, in the fashion industry, we call it pret a porter or ready to wear. In other words, mass-produced clothing with an average price range. Both top brands and the “average market” garments are mass-produced.
You can call these garments new because they come from a new collection, a current season, or a new delivery. But that doesn’t imply specific quality standards. Nor anything significant in the context of climate change.
Ready to wear is trendy based, cheaper to manufacture and convenient for the consumer. But this business model has reached a tipping point. In fact, the impact it has on the planet is devastating and undeniable. Mass-produced clothing is the result of capitalism, an economic system based on the exploitation of people and the planet’s resources. Since this system believes in endless growth, it fosters overconsumption in the shape of trendy items pushing people towards novelty obsession.
Tailoring: quality over quantity
On another level, we find tailoring. Which means pieces manufactured by artisans, made by skilled hands. Therefore, clothing from ateliers or small realities. They would provide good quality in limited quantities reducing fashion waste.
While mass products change continuously, offering new items that last a breath of wind, tailored garments focus on quality and artisanal workings. In fact, their designs don’t change that much over time. You don’t buy them because they’re trendy, but because you’ll wear them for a lifetime.
Most importantly, tailoring brings an added value, mass products, instead, represent the perpetration of a destructive system.
Checking out Spring-Summer 23 new arrivals, we had the chance to learn more about hemp, a natural material with excellent features.
Garments’ compositions show hemp among various materials. Every time we receive orders placed months before, we check the tailoring, fit and touch the fabrics to ensure our selection matches our expectations. As to provide you with good design and quality. Also, during Milano Design Week, we received an invitation to view “Prototipo” – a clothing brand supported by Lampoon Magazine. An accurate design for an entire collection made of hemp. Which we found interesting!
What is hemp used for?
This material is versatile. The wide range of use goes from eco-building to cosmetics to textiles – for fashion and furnishing, food and more. Considering the environmental impact, this material offers many advantages compared to other natural fibres.
Richard Fagerlund, an expert who has over 40 years of experience in the management of plant pests, explained that: “Cotton cultivation is probably the biggest pollutant on the planet since, occupying only 3% of the agricultural land of the world, demands 25% of the pesticides used in total. The chemicals go into the groundwater, and the poison targets not just insects, but all organisms, including humans. Furthermore, the hemp fibre is longer, more absorbent, resistant and insulating than the cotton fibre”. Also, from a cultivation viewpoint, cotton requires about twice as much water to grow as hemp. (Source)
Why is hemp a sustainable material?
it grows quickly
does not need any special care
the whole plant is used, therefore there is no waste.
Hemp properties
Thanks to its hollow fibre, hemp yarn with a high thermal insulating and breathable capacity, which behaves like wool: cool in summer and warm in winter. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties and can absorb moisture from the body, keeping it dry and absorbing infrared and UVA rays up to 95%. Furthermore, tear resistance is three times greater than that of cotton. In fact, among natural fibres, it is the most wear-resistant.
And so, hemp is a great fabric for clothing. Just an ironic note: do not try to promote a post on social media, the Meta’s algorithm doesn’t allow it! Are they afraid you get high by wearing clothes?
Put disability on a cover page, and the life of disabled people improves. But from fashion magazines’ glossy covers to real life, does anything change for those with disabilities? Is accessibility something they arrange when setting up locations, workplaces, or events?
“We want to carry this on and for people to see Vogue is taking that step… We’re not perfect, but we have to create this welcoming space.” Edward Ennigful – European editorial director of Vogue.
Indeed, considering the positive comments on covers featuring disabled models, it seems change is real and tangible.
Our experience on disability
Our viewpoint is a little different. We understand that a diverse representation may help people broaden their views. But we aren’t satisfied with it. Specifically, we would exchange cover pages with real accessibility on a daily basis to shops, events, locations and so on.
Allow us to explain. I, myself, Ro, writing this post, am a wheelchair user. A few weeks ago, Cri and I attended Milano Design Week. Apart from very few exceptions, most places weren’t accessible. Indeed, we had to exclude some venues a priori. In many other places, I had to stand up and climb one to three steps. Cri had to lift the wheelchair, carry it inside, and then I could sit again.
Thank goodness, I can do that. But what about those who cannot? Those who use electric wheelchairs?
Disability and real accessibility in fashion
Of course, it works the same in fashion showrooms. In the fashion industry, people love to discuss inclusion and diversity on social media, advertising or cover pages, but they do the opposite in everyday life.
I had a disgraceful experience with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana a few years ago. “Because of Covid”, so they said, I couldn’t access an event they organized. The invitation was for one person, but being in a wheelchair, I needed plus one to help me. They said no. But Camera Moda proudly has a Diversity and Inclusion section! What do they not understand about disability? (You can read the full story here).
What’s the message? Disability is the subject of the cover pages, but please, don’t show up at events? Please, don’t go shopping? Don’t visit a museum or take a train?
What are we talking about showing disability on cover pages? Marketing? That’s what it is. In fact, diversity and inclusion are some of those magnificent fashion bullshit the industry loves! Just don’t show up in real life!
The image is avant-garde but understated, refined and comfortable.
Indeed, the high-quality fabric, dyed by hand with natural colours, and the asymmetric shape make it a meaningful garment you can wear day to night just by changing the shoes.
New in this Spring-Summer season, Un_namable is an Italian brand that creates unique and timeless clothes which are, at the same time, experimental and innovative. Juxtaposing fabrics submitted to special processing and avant-garde techniques, they transform the pieces into unexpected volumes and silhouettes. The brand emphasises the value of exceptional craftsmanship and uniqueness.
Discover The Tate Dress
About the design Sleeveless, round neckline, loose silhouette. Under-knee asymmetric length. Garment-dyed dress; its beautiful textured fabric highlights the unique design. Indeed, the hand-dyeing process provides a special hand feel and particular shape.
The Tate Dress by Un_Namable – Antenora Cross Strap Sandals
About the material 28% recycled linen, 20% hemp, and 52% recycled BCI cotton. BCI is the acronym for Better Cotton Initiative, the world-leading sustainability initiative for cotton. Their mission is to help cotton communities survive and thrive while protecting and restoring the environment. Also, hemp is a yarn with a high thermal insulating and breathable capacity, which behaves like wool: cool in summer and warm in winter.
About the colour Double dark cacao, garment dyed. All garments are dyed with pigments of natural origin. Specifically, the designer makes the colours starting from food ingredients.
Laundry Easy-care product: wash by hand inside out in cold water. Reshape whilst damp.
Styling tips The Tate dress stands out as one piece. Because of the rich texture, it works on special occasions too, just by changing the accessories. Pair it with Antenora cross strap sandals. However, to wear it for a large part of the year, layer it over leggings or underneath a sweater.
How to purchase from us:
Drop us an email or WhatsApp for any further information. Also, you can book your private shopping experience – physical or via video call.
International Shipping available! We are based in Milano but ship our niche fashion selection #formodernhumans everywhere.
In order to provide unicity and a sustainable approach, our selection offers a limited number of pieces.
