#11 Sashiko: Slow fashion against consumerism

“It's only in really recent times that it doesn't come to us as first nature to fix [clothes] but to throw it out. Throughout all of history, and even recent history, clothing is such a precious resource that even kings and queens would have their clothes mended.”

For over three hundred years, the Japanese have been developing and refining the practice of sashiko.

No, it's not a type of underwater meditation or a rare martial art. It's a particular way of preserving and upcycling clothes with its own unique style and technique.

Now, eco-conscious people around the world are turning to sashito as they try to move away from 'fast fashion' while embracing a more sustainable approach to clothing themselves.

What is Sashiko?

Derived from the Japanese words "sashi" (to pierce) and "ko" (little), sashiko is an ancient form of decorative reinforcement stitching that has evolved from a purely utilitarian function into a celebrated art form.

This elegant practice not only serves as a means of mending and strengthening fabric but also offers a window into Japanese culture, history, and aesthetic sensibilities.

Sashiko's origins can be traced back several centuries to rural Japan, where it served as a practical method of extending the life of worn-out garments. Japanese peasants used sashiko to mend and reinforce their clothing, giving it both an aesthetic appeal and enhanced durability. The stitching patterns varied across regions and had distinctive motifs that reflected local traditions and customs.

Sashiko is deeply rooted in the Japanese philosophy of "mottainai," a concept that encourages the respectful and mindful use of resources. Instead of discarding damaged or worn textiles, the Japanese consciously valued the opportunity to repair and preserve them.

Sashiko, with its focus on visible mending, transforms flaws into features, celebrating the history of the fabric and the skills of the artisan.

Sashiko's resurgence in popularity in recent years can be attributed to its unique blend of nostalgia and modernity. Many individuals worldwide have embraced the art of sashiko as a form of slow living, an antidote to the fast-paced, disposable consumer culture of the 21st century.

Here’s another example of visible mending

What is slow fashion?

‘Slow fashion' is a self-conscious movement to reject ‘fast fashion’, where the desire to sell clothes for as little as possible leads to worse quality and more negative social & ecological outcoms.

Slow fashion promoters want clothes that are:

• built to last

• created by workers whose rights are protected or who even have an ownership stake in the clothing maker, i.e. as part of a co-operative

• created in a sustainable manner

• composed of organic & bio-degradable materials, rather than synthetic fibers that degrade into environmentally-harmful microplastics

It’s not surprising that the concept of Sashiko is becoming more popular nowadays. Young people who grew up in the U.S. and Europe are used to a world where clothes and other consumer goods should be thrown in the trash once it becomes more convenient to buy a replacement. Repairing clothes with sashiko-inspired techniques and styles has both environmental and aesthetic value in a world where we are increasingly conscious of the wastefulness and destructiveness of fast fashion. And it looks pretty cool, too.

ART OF THE DAY

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Yours,
Dan

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