Those of you following ethical and sustainable fashion trends the past several years have been witness to this spectacular evolution from black-and-white-everything to vibrant, playful, and fine-art inspired. Of course, sustainable fashion isn’t exempt from mainstream trends, but while color is bursting forth from every direction as of late, seeing it in sustainably made garments is actually a really big deal. Like any art, sustainable fashion designers are challenged to create within the confines of earth conscious materials, ethical and low waste production, smaller teams and slower practices. But from that breeds techniques like upcycling vintage, scrap, and deadstock fabric, making use of natural dyes, and other almost forgotten (in America) methods of making and mending, like it has in cultures around the globe for centuries. Pair that with a mission to problem solve and more technology to do so, and you get the modern art that is sustainable fashion. Here’s one of what could’ve been a million moodboards to illustration conscious maximalism in ethical fashion:
Featured above (left to right, top to bottom): helmstedt quilted jacket (fabric swatch left of orange dress) / neon double fan handmade earrings / mara hoffman spring 2020 / wray nyc / eco club member bel kazan lucy dress / oge ajibe dress / high waist linen pants / mara hoffman spring 2020 / celia b sunny dress / leroli positano campaign / soli & sun orange clutch
Pretty ain’t it? I know for me personally, being a lover of handmade (Etsy obsessed since 2008!) and passionate about living sustainably, I didn’t always feel this inspired by sustainable fashion. Don’t get me wrong, everything that came before us was necessary for the industry’s growth, but I think a lot of people felt the same, considering this explosion of sustainable fashion designers enamored with the experimental.
But what does conscious maximalism really mean? Is it just an affinity for a rainbow of color choices? To me, it’s more than that…
What Is Conscious Maximalism?
Color and print. Yes, colors and prints are a big deal to the conscious maximalist. It’s empowering to people who are drawn to creative expression through fashion, to see themselves reflected in sustainable clothing in a way that they wouldn’t have if there were only minimalist brands working in the space.
Intention. The ‘conscious’ element of this trend is important, and it’s this that distinguishes it from every other trend coined ‘maximalist’ that currently exists. Just like any aspect of green living, this means something to everyone. It can mean only purchasing upcycled or natural materials. It can mean getting to know the artist behind your pieces. It can mean doing a deeper dive to make sure the brand is committed to ethical production. Everyone has a different perspective, budget, and set of values they shop with, so this won’t be the same across the board.
Abundance. Conscious maximalism is the abundance mindset of the design world. You know how much we love and support low-waste living here, so this isn’t to say minimalism doesn’t have its place. But I think in order for more people to fall in love with with sustainable living, they need to know they don’t have to feel a sense of lack within the space. Rather, that there is endless opportunity to support companies and designers they love and contribute in their own creative way. Also, let’s be real, fashion IS an art form to many of us; our closets house our collection, so not everyone is on board with a 5-garment wardrobe. An abundance mindset is a very empowering one to have when talking something as heavy as, you know, destroying the planet, and exploiting humans.
Inclusivity. I’ve noticed that many brands that fall into this category endeavor to be more inclusive with the sizing and accessibility of their garments. (Not everyone of course, and I do know plenty of basics brands that have this down!) There are also many price points within conscious maximalism, and it’s not just high end vs mass market. And where else in fashion do you see such killer mixing of secondhand and vintage with the new? And does it not make the perfect complement to your minimalist essentials? To me it just seems like a very welcoming, we’ve got something for everyone, kind of space.
Have you noticed conscious maximalism as a sustainable fashion trend? Is this more up your alley than minimalism?
[…] you check out our introduction to conscious maximalism? There we covered all things conscious maximalist fashion but I’ve been secretly even more […]