What does buying a ticket to Slow Fashion Festival support?
Slow fashion is about understanding the true cost of clothing, re-evaluating our expectations of what we should be spending, and making intentional choices that align with our values. At Slow Fashion Festival, we’re on a mission to extend this ethos to how we value cultural events, too. Because just like slow fashion, meaningful events take time, care, community (and a lot of money!) to create.
Fast fashion may be cheap, but it comes with a price.
Take this $27, 100% polyester jacket from She*n as an example. It’s easy to see a jacket priced at $27 and think it’s a steal. But at what cost? This fast fashion piece may look appealing, but its environmental impact is staggering, and the people who made it are likely not receiving fair compensation. Remember: if it’s cheap, someone is not getting paid.
Now, let’s see what showcasing true value looks like in slow fashion.
QUILT COAT MADE BY PSYCHIC OUTLAW
In contrast, this hand-sewn quilted upcycled jacket not only reflects a commitment to quality and craftsmanship but also tells a story of sustainability. Let’s break down the true costs associated with creating a piece that honors both people and the planet.
Now, let’s look at the true cost of creating an event like SFF.
*Costs included reflect average per-show costs we’ve incurred thus far as a festival. With inflation, our production costs are rising with every event we produce.
Just as fast fashion creates harmful expectations for cheap clothing, the demand for low-cost experiences can also be damaging. Our mission is to extend the slow fashion ethos to all aspects of life, including reshaping how we value cultural events like SFF. By promoting transparency around the true costs of event production and how we aspire to allocate our funds, we aim to inspire positive ripple effects that encourage others to be more transparent and shift consumer behavior, leading people to invest in experiences and items that align with their values, rather than those that don’t.
Here’s how your ticket directly supports Slow Fashion Festival’s longevity and growth:
Right now, your ticket helps cover these essential costs:
Venue & equipment rentals
Fair compensation for production partners
Event logistics & supplies
Printing of the Slow Fashion Zine
Current and future ticket sales will also help us build out these initiatives:
Begin to provide some compensation to the dedicated co-organizers (currently working on an entirely volunteer basis) and grow the team
Provide financial aid and scholarships for designers to cover their fees and help pay their teams regardless of their financial means
Build out new and/or expanded programming to expand the reach of slow fashion, making it accessible to even more people