Along with spotlighting sustainable and ethical beauty & health on the Amazingy Magazine, we like to feature allies in other industries who also advocate for the guilt-free & green movement — like Eclectic Berlin, who is paving a new way for the fashion world.

The Ugly Side of the Fashion Industry

Fashion is a sadly exploitative, environmentally damaging and socially unjust industry. It’s one of the most resource-demanding industries, of both natural & human resources. The advent of fast fashion has helped the industry achieve this unfortunate ranking by carelessly producing affordable seasonal trends. The problem is: behind every cheap price tag you will find traces of environmental damage and unethical labor practices. Prices can be kept low, when labour & production costs also remain low.

The most ironic thing, however, is that we (the consumers) tend to forget about the momentous journey our new clothing item has made. According to a recent study in the Journal of Consumer Research, consumers have adopted a coping mechanism. They simple forget the unethical past of the clothes they buy. This helps us deal with the uncomfortable truth. It’s not necessarily a conscious decision — it’s simply easier to cope.

But fashion should be able to make us feel good, and not at the expense of people and our planet. In recent years, there’s been more & more awareness around “who made my clothes” — all under the banner of ‘The Fashion Revolution.’ Pioneers in the fashion industry are trailblazing a new way of making, retailing and consuming fashion.

Eclectic Berlin’s Spin on Conscious Consumption

Meet Hannah and Lisa, co-founders of a fresh, Berlin-based start-up that defies retailers, shopping habits and the buyers’ power to effect change.

Eclectic Berlin was created with the intent to push for conscious consumption in the fashion world. Rather than exhausting the earth’s resources, each consumer decision on their online shop leaves a positive trace; so you can shop for clothes that are ethically sourced, while 50% of your purchase goes towards an invaluable charitable project.

“With Eclectic Berlin we want to design a prototype of how the fashion industry can look like. We want to inspire the consumer to think twice about the effects of their consumption.”

They sell a colorful array of handpicked items which are either upcycled, vintage or second-hand garments. And their projects are as just as carefully selected as their garments. Half of the profits are donated to projects that campaign for clean waters. Consumers that shop at Eclectic Berlin are actively involved in the decision-making process by deciding which project they want to support. In this way, the focus shifts from rotating seasons & trends to rotating charity projects — thus adding value rather than detriment.

Fashion doesn’t always have to hurt — at least not the environment. And it’s companies like Eclectic Berlin that are showing us how slow & sustainable fashion can become the new trend. As a way of using the power of fashion to change the world. And a way of joining a revolution. So, join the movement — be eclectic.