FAST x TGIF Sustainable Fashion

Sachi Cooper

Sustainable fashion practices are possible. It is time to ditch fashion wear that does not promote sustainability for the sake of a healthy environment.

Often there is a misconception that sustainable fashion is priced higher than fast fashion brands. However, the shift to using secondhand clothing has exposed this misconception as false. Websites, such as Depop and Poshmark, promote the use of viable clothing from second-hand sellers in an attempt to circulate clothing items for longer periods. These sellers are able to price their clothing at affordable prices. These clothing items are not only of good quality, but the users of these apps are able to select clothing that speaks to their fashion sense. Additionally, local thrift stores provide clothing finds that are unique while repurposing unwanted clothing. 

Cheryl Ma

The Green Initiative Fund at UCLA (TGIF) funds projects that promote sustainability efforts on campus. Their definition of sustainability includes economic and social sustainability, recognizing that issues in these categories are interconnected to environmental sustainability.  

TGIF’s committee practices what they preach. Through their fashion, they attempt to express their individuality and solidarity to environmental improvement. 

Sean Sugai, second-year pre-human biology + society and anthropology double major, features a tropical theme with bold colored flowers adorning his button-down shirt. After a year in quarantine, he is happy to show that his goodwill purchase paid off. He pairs his boisterous shirt with handmade necklaces that add a touch of his individuality.  He is not shy to express a pop of color through his nail polish. The electric blue polish is from Dazzle Dry, a brand that promotes non-toxic chemicals and vegan ingredients in their formula. Sugai blends perfectly into his green environment. 

Sean Sugai

Carlo Morante is a staff representative on the TGIF committee and is also the Leadership and Sustainability coordinator at ResLife. His outfit demonstrates that you can still be trendy and sustainable. His denim vest was repurposed after receiving a denim jacket from one of his friends' clothing donation piles. He paired the vest with light wash jeans from Crossroads Trading Co, a thrift store on Melrose Ave in Los Angeles to complete the look. Morante mentioned that aside from protecting the environment, purchasing second-hand clothing provides a sense of uniqueness. Lastly, his shirt was a gift from a friend that created it as part of a climate change campaign. Overall, his outfit cost under $20. He is cooling it with this look! 

Kristen Soares, a fourth-year environmental science student, utilizes sustainable practices to form this casual outfit. Her mom-jeans and simple white top are both from clothing swaps hosted by Unravel at UCLA. She spices this outfit up with jewelry from the brand Apt. 1444, an ethically sourced handmade jewelry store. Solares adds a bright orange pair of heels from The Left Bank thrift store in Glassell Park. This outfit is a prime example that sustainable fashion is possible and one can achieve their fashion looks sustainably. 

Kristen Soares

Sandra Ocampo