On March 1st, we had the pleasure of being the featured guests at San Francisco Green Drinks' monthly networking event. We set up a Pop-Up Shop, and met some fascinating people who are involved or interested in sustainability. Some were aware of the fashion industry's environmental effects, but most of the attendees had never heard or read that the clothing industry is the second largest polluter in the world.
I shared my story of going from careless consumer to conscious shopper after seeing the shocking headlines of the Rana Plaza garment factory collapse. My personal struggle to find ethical fashion is what led me to designing my own clothing and ultimately launching Belvele. It was very nice to hear similar stories from members of the group. However, I think my favorite part is when someone hears about these issues for the first time, and it causes them to shift their thinking about what goes into making a garment. That's what motivates my team and me to promote ethical fashion.
If you are not familiar with San Francisco Green Drinks, it is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization that actively promotes green networking, education, and volunteer events in the San Francisco Bay Area. There are Green Drinks events in many different cities. Their mission is to be the eco-conscious hub, both on and offline, for local individuals, organizations, and businesses that aim to strengthen and support the local environmental and green community. If you are interested in meeting like-minded individuals who care about environmental issues, you should definitely attend their events.
Photo Credit: Amanda Rebecca Cosco of ElectricRunway.com