Sustainability took center stage during Essence Fashion House’s 2023 event, which hosted a panel on the subject with Hope for Flowers‘ Tracy Reese and House of Aama‘s Akua Shabaka on Sept. 8. in New York City. During their discussion at Second moderated by “The Cutting Room Floor” podcast host Recho Omondi, the duo spoke on environmental mindfulness in fashion, including how people can shop sustainably in a fast-paced retail market.
“We can’t buy into all the marketing that’s telling us we have to buy and throw away, buy and throw away, buy and throw away,” Reese shared onstage, discussing how she personalized thrifted clothing during her college years at Parsons School of Design. “There is good vintage, there are trading circles, you can trade clothes with friends, you can make things. There are a lot of ways to get dressed. It’s not just about going to Zara and H&M and picking up something every week, or even every month. We can be so much more creative with the resources that are out there.”
Shabaka concurred, citing her family’s craftswoman heritage and seeing her mother — who’s also her co-founder for House of Aama — sew at home as key in understanding how clothing is made, which she stated consumers don’t always consider.
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“I think in terms of this conversation, there is an emphasis on getting back to craftsmanship,” Shabaka said, speaking to how shoppers are learning about clothing today. “Even when we saw in COVID, there was a time that people were able to explore these skill sets and think about how they wanted to present themselves to the world — and maybe it could come from making it with your own hands.”
Ultimately, the panel discussion emphasized the importance of living a sustainable lifestyle and making both shopping and everyday habits friendlier to the environment. Both Reese and Shabaka suggested consumers utilize their available resources — including recycling and repairing damaged pieces in their wardrobe — to take a step in the right direction, with Reese highlighting the need to increase sustainability conversations in Black communities.
“I think a lot of times, sustainability, it feels like an elitist concept,” Reese said. “I don’t think it’s a conversation that is common in our communities. So for me, educating young people about what sustainability means, about what their role in sustainability can be; it’s not just about what you can purchase, it’s about how you’re living. It’s about whether you’re wasting, whether you’re respecting the planet, whether you’re being a part of a sustainable community.”
NYFW was held in New York City in September, marking the start of Fashion Month. The spring 2024 season saw a calendar of fashion shows and presentations from top brands like Ralph Lauren, Christian Siriano and Proenza Schouler, as well as independent labels including Wiederhoeft, Collina Strada and Elena Velez. The occasion featured numerous parties and activations from brands like J.Crew, Target, Aldo, MCM and more.
About the Author:
Aaron Royce is the Digital Editor for Footwear News, where he writes stories on trending news, celebrity style, brand collaborations and in-depth profile interviews. Prior to joining Footwear News, Aaron wrote and interned for publications including PAPER, Grazia and the Daily Front Row. He currently holds a B.S. in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University.
