Slowing Down Fast Fashion
By Alexandra Napolitano
Before 2010, the concept of “fast fashion” was foreign, yet already woven into the industry long before it had a name. Today, with social media accelerating trend cycles and garment production shifting overseas to countries with more lenient environmental and labor regulations, the conditions are perfectly set for overconsumption. Consumers often overlook the true cost behind a cheap piece of clothing. Fortunately, not everyone—and not every brand—follows this pattern. In an interview with Marist University Fashion Faculty, Professor Bree Chambers explains how sustainability became central to her work and the steps she’s taking to leave her mark on the modern industry.
Professor Chambers’ interest in sustainable fashion was sparked by witnessing its realities firsthand. She saw fast fashion brands prioritize the cheapest materials over quality, overlooking the environmental and human costs behind their garments. Confronted with how companies were exploiting both labor and the planet in exchange for low production costs, she felt compelled to act. That experience ultimately inspired her to launch her own activewear brand grounded in responsibility and conscious design.
When discussing the thought process behind her brand, Chambers took the way high quality clothing would feel on our bodies into account stating, “When I started my own brand, I wanted to make sure it was organic, recycled, and made in the USA because I thought of it being on our skin.”
She focused on creating garments in small batches with high quality materials, but fast fashion brands often copied her designs and sold cheaper versions. It revealed a major challenge smaller sustainable brands face against bigger companies. Professor Chambers now brings that commitment to sustainability into the classroom, teaching students how fast fashion affects people, waste, and the environment. She also taught her students to be creative, and spread the message about overconsumption through their own consumption habits. She highlighted her efforts to not buy new clothing and instead use what she already had, cutting down textile waste.
Chambers reflected on her current purchasing habits and said, “Personally, what I’m trying to do is go back into the 25 years of archives I have and wear what I have. When I am purchasing now, I’m purchasing better quality and more intentionally. When I do purchase, I try to have it be from a brand I care about.”
Society’s acceptance of fast fashion and cheaply made clothing that harms the planet and affects people’s lives needs to change. Sustainable fashion starts with intentional choices: repurposing what you have and supporting responsible brands. Not everyone views sustainability as essential, so it’s up to us to make it part of our lifestyle. Professor Chambers is a prime example. When asked about what she wants to see from the fashion industry, Professor Chambers said…
“I want it to slow down. If there was one thing for the industry and for all of us, I would want it to slow down and make better choices.”
-Bree Chambers
