consciousfashion

Mulesing free: what does it mean?

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And why should fashion care about it?

Mulesing is a cruel practice used in merino sheep farms. Actually, it’s a word we weren’t familiar with. But we realise that addressing fashion that respects people, nature, and animals requires much attention.

While placing our Fall/Winter 22-23 orders, we looked through the Plantation 1982 line sheet to pick our favourite clothes. And so, we had the chance to read about this technique.

“The merino wool used for this pullover is mulesing-free, to help improve animal welfare.” – so the line sheet said.
One of the reasons why we particularly appreciate Japanese brands like Plantation is that they provide detailed information not only about the design but the material, too. Indeed, they explain why the designing team selected a specific fabric highlighting all the characteristics.

After reading about this particular merino wool, we researched a bit and discovered a horrendous way of getting this material from sheep.

mulesing free merino wool


Mulesing: what is it?

Especially in Australia and Asia, sheep are bred to have wrinkly skin to get more wool per animal. But the wrinkles retain urine and moisture, attracting more parasites that can eat the sheep alive. To prevent this kind of parasitic infection, ranchers perform “mulesing.” They force the sheep onto their backs, block their legs and rip off the skin from the backsides without any painkiller.

This mutilating practice is brutal torture! So we must stop it and find other ways to get the wool.

What is the alternative?

The good news is that the solution already exists: mulesing-free wool. It is a careful shearing practice which respects animal welfare. Therefore the sheep do not undergo any mutilation or antiparasitic treatment harmful to the animal, operators and final customers who get in contact with the wool.

No mulesing: responsible fashion

Fashion designers are responsible for finding respectful ways of making their garments. They must hold themselves accountable for how they conceive and produce their clothing. And find alternative ethical approaches for the fashion industry.

Perhaps we cannot grant sustainability – no one really can! Even those who wave the eco/green buzzwords. But we do our best to select specific quality materials and meaningful garments. And so, fashion in respect of people, the planet and animals.

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Timeless fashion beyond the buzzword

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Do you know what timeless fashion really means?

The concept of timeless fashion, beyond the buzzword, is misleading. It’s one of the many empty claims you hear everywhere. Unfortunately, when you put together fashion and marketing, the risk of pointless shit is pretty high.

In brand profiles and social media, you read about clothes sold as timeless, but the misinterpretation is clear. For instance, brands or retailers describe the features of their magnificent timeless garments to introduce discounts! So, is that the point of timelessness? We don’t think so! On the other hand, people cannot understand that, even if from the previous season, meaningful pieces aren’t outdated. There’s value in good design and quality.

At first, timelessness in the fashion field may seem like a contradiction because fashion is about periodic changes. But these changes have become so frequent that the industry is out of hand. Indeed, it makes sense to go back to past times when a made-to-last vision prevailed. Timeless guides us towards an evolved mindset facilitating a sustainable lifestyle.

The impact of fashion and textile overproduction on climate change is tangible. Unless you still choose to ignore it. Lately, the industry has moved from fast to ultra-fast fashion, generating mountains of waste. And so, timeless is our way out. It represents the possibility towards a conscious lifestyle. In fact, by refocusing our shopping habits, we contribute to limiting the disasters we have made so far.

But what does timeless mean?

Items lasting forever! Something that is timeless does not change as the years go past.

Therefore, the timeless design doesn’t change completely season by season. Items are classics. And classics are made to last: higher quality and good design. And so, heavy discounts on these products aren’t consistent.

Finally, refocusing on a caring and evolved attitude should also help you to change your vision of “new.”
Timeless design is the opposite of disposable fashion. And has nothing to do with a compulsive desire for novelties, destructive behaviour that doesn’t understand the value of garments and work. But it is just a frenzy reaction to a consumerist society.

So, forget empty marketing claims. We don’t search for convenience, but we search for worth. Beyond the buzzword, this is what timeless fashion means: meaningful garments with no expiry date!

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How products change

Changing fashion to change our culture

Products change when consumers’ tastes change. But given that consumption is all about cheap and disposable products, we are in big trouble.

The fashion industry was oriented toward a new direction to preserve the environment and people’s life. But the reality highlighted even more terrible consumption habits, as in the case of ultra-fast fashion we discussed in our previous post.

The combination of overproduction and overconsumption is the economic pattern that dominates the fashion industry. Also, it is the same as we see in any other field. Therefore, it is a cultural issue.
Consuming disposable products is a trend that has captivated young generations too. Indeed, accessible cheap products give the illusion of richness.

Mass culture is the commercialization of culture. So, making products for commercial purposes only. People are so involved in this extensive offer that there’s no escape from it. Or so it seems, at least.

But climate change is the issue we need to face, and it’s urgent.
And so, how do we change consumers’ tastes?

Change products: fashion and culture

Changing fashion means changing the culture.
Fashion makes products that portray our culture, revealing our society’s tastes. That means fashion tells what we consume.
In other words, changing what we consume involves changing fashion. And so, our culture.

The change starts with acknowledging the new needs and incorporating them into designing meaningful products for people who care.

As a boutique and insiders, we contribute by selecting only valuable garments and good design. And by presenting a different viewpoint for people like us, who do not recognize themselves in the mass trends.

Your choice, if you care, is evolving towards a conscious lifestyle aiming to change for the better. Or leave things the way they are, persisting with the blind exploitation of people and the planet.

In the end, you have two options: either you can play the game, or you can change it!

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The slow fashion context

Slow fashion needs to be placed into the context of a slow lifestyle to make sense of it. Out of that frame, this concept has no meaning.

Slow fashion & slow lifestyle

And so, slow fashion is not only about the act of making garments at the proper pace. Which, by the way, represents a significant shift toward sustainability. Most importantly, it is about living in the moment and enjoying it, which is the point of a slow lifestyle.

Therefore, it is not about the tons of things you buy or the many experiences you have. No hoarding: you choose quality over quantity. However, there’s no sense of deprivation in that. On the contrary, it’s a more conscious and intentional lifestyle.
Also, living in the moment means that if the weather is still warm, it makes sense to enjoy our light clothing. And it’s about purchasing what you need at a given time. Depending on where you live, of course.

Slow fashion

Slow fashion & slow lifestyle


In sunny weather, you wear lightweight clothes. But keeping in mind the possibility of a layering style, you will use light fabrics throughout the year. Indeed, you only need to add something over or underneath. Or both when it is too cold. Here it’s important to remember that it is not the thickness of the material that will keep you warm but the quality.

The slow mode

For us as a boutique, slow fashion also means starting with the new season when it makes sense. Not too early because there’s no point in doing that anymore. The vision of encouraging a frenzy shopping attitude doesn’t fit into the conscious approach for modern humans.

Therefore, we do not hurry. We selected some unique garments, and we’ll introduce new brands. So stay tuned!

In the meantime, contact us to check out our timeless selection. We’ll help you choose the perfect pieces for you: garments you’ll love to wear for a lifetime because of the unique design and softness of the fabrics.

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Why clothes?

And can we drive change through fashion?

Some people may wonder why clothes. And also if clothes can be a tool to promote change. We can find a brilliant response in Virginia Woolf’s words. Here is a quote from Orlando:

“Vain trifles as they seem, clothes have, they say, more important offices than to merely keep us warm. They change our view of the world and the world’s view of us.”

Virginia Woolf

Some authors are like anchors we can hold onto as they offer tremendously beautiful insights. Their significant perspectives help us better understand ourselves and life.

About clothes

Clothes change people’s perceptions of us. Indeed, they are part of our non-verbal language. So through them, we express our personality and our worldview.

At the same time, clothes change our view of the world. The influence is mutual. So, by making specific choices, we can have an impact. And not only on our style and image, meaning on what people can see of us at first glance. But also regarding our consciousness, so on a more profound level affirming who we are and what kind of world we want.

In that sense, we can do a lot to change. Indeed, we aren’t passive consumers but active thinkers. And by making better choices, we change the world.

So, do you wonder why clothes? And if clothes can be a tool of change?
Yes! We believe so because we do not just dress to have a better image and gain self-confidence. But by making thoughtful choices about the garments we choose to wear, we reveal that we care for people and the planet. Therefore, our thoughts, words and style correspond to our actions.

In other words, through style we bring in our contribution to change for the better.

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