By Ameera Steward
For the Birmingham Times
Although Birmingham’s sustainable fashion community is made up of small businesses, they are collectively taking big strides to make a change.
Sustainable fashion is a movement centered on fostering a shift toward fashion products that prioritize ecological integrity and social justice; the term refers to clothing that is designed, manufactured, distributed, and used in ways that are environmentally friendly and socially conscious.
A big part of the sustainable fashion business model involves social media, which is the platform most of these local business owners use to educate their audience and customers about sustainable fashion, the effects of their fashion choices, and how they can make better choices.
Here’s how Lacey Woodroof encourages sustainable fashion in the Magic City.
Woodroof decided to physically bring sustainability to Birmingham with her store basic., on Morris Avenue. After realizing the horrible conditions in fast fashion working environments, the unfair payment, as well as what clothes can do to the environment, the 33-year-old took matters into her own hands and opened her storefront in 2018. She collaborates with different designers, who bring their pieces made from sustainable materials to her store to be sold. She also has a reselling entity within her brand to recycle the clothing her customers buy by allowing them to exchange their pieces for a $70 store credit.
“To me, sustainability looks like your carbon footprint, it looks like whether or not your business model is long-term sustainable, it looks like your employee retention, it looks like being responsible with how you source your items,” Woodroof said. “[It’s] really and truly just how we keep everything going, and the responsible, environmentally friendly ways of doing that.”
For more on Woodroof visit @im_woodroof or @abasicshop.com on Instagram and www.abasicshop.com
Click one of the links below to read more about Birmingham’s sustainable fashion scene.
Collin Balentine and Jordan Joiner: Helping the Environment
Glenda Norman: Re-Fashioning Scrap Into Jewelry
Lana Watkins: Creating a Dream Closet
Shaquala Courtland: Restoring Clothing…and Spirit
Samra Michael: Preventing Waste
Kristyn Edwards: Raising Awareness
Lakeicia Shanta: Establishing a Sustainable Lifestyle
Clothing Designer Leslie Gomez Grew Up in Thrift Stores. Now, It’s Business.
