We have clothing, and then we have fashion clothing. Clothing withstands the passage of time, whereas fashion comes and goes.

Professor Kate Fletcher Sustainable Fashion and Textiles says fashion links us to time and space – and caters to emotional and social needs. Where the fashion sector and the clothing industry come together – in fashion clothes – our emotional needs are made manifest as garments. She says this overlaying of emotional needs on physical goods fuels resource consumption, generates waste and promotes short-term thinking. It also leaves us feeling dissatisfied and disempowered, because external physical possessions are unable to satisfy internal psychological and emotional needs, no matter how much new stuff we consume. 

My friend Georgie Somerset was empowered by wearing this special silk dress when she attended the 100 Women of Influence celebration dinner in Sydney this week, having been named in the 2014 list as a regional influencer. Georgie chose this particular dress because it had been her late mother’s special going-out-dress, back in the days when people only had one good dress at a time (it was made by a family friend). This connection across generations is made possible when we look after our clothes, chose quality natural fibres and classic styles.

The red and cream dress was lined with red silk, and when the red and cream side became a bit ragged with age, Georgie’s sister Juliet changed the zip around so that the red silk lining became the ‘new’ outside. The fabric around armholes was a little ragged, reflecting the age of the garment, but what a wonderful way to upcycle a dress that retains emotional connection and memories. Congratulations Georgie, and all the best in your new leadership role as AgForce vice-president.