Living and Wellbeing

Black Friday and Cyber Monday sound a bit like the end of the world, don’t they? But no cyborgs or swarms of locusts are invading – just waves of frantic shoppers, bargain deals on already-cheap stuff, and a mess of flyers. It’s less a biblical or blockbuster apocalypse and more… an armageddon of clutter and chaos. 

The term "Black Friday" was actually coined by police to describe this frenzy: traffic jams, overflowing sidewalks, and swarms of people hitting stores right after Thanksgiving to kick off their holiday shopping.<1> 

And when you consider that up to 80% of purchases may be discarded after one use – or not used at all<2> – it makes the day seem even darker than its name suggests.

As the spooky season creeps in, our planet’s in for the real scare. Each year, Halloween silently morphs into a more frightful commercial extravaganza that sends shivers down the spine of the environment.
In the U.S. alone, Halloween spending is expected to hit a staggering $11.6 billion this year <1>, with consumers indulging in costumes, candy, and decorations before October even begins. And what’s more shocking is an investigation by Hubbub that found that 83% of materials in seasonal outfits – including Halloween costumes – from 19 retailers, like Aldi and Tesco, were plastics likely to end up in landfills.<2> Scary, huh?

And this is just the start of 4 truly frightening stories recurringly haunting the planet yearly – so unsettling, they might just shock you into changing your habits!

Upcycle and recycle – two words that sound like they could be best friends, but in reality, they’re more like distant cousins. While they often get tossed around together, they’re actually quite different.

Let’s start with recycling. When you recycle something, like a worn-out sweater, it goes through a process where it’s first shredded, then processed into new yarn and eventually transformed into a brand-new garment. Upcycling, however, is where the real fun begins. Imagine taking that same old sweater and, instead of tearing it apart, you turn it into a decorative plant pot cover or a trendy headband. This process only requires your creativity, a patch, and maybe a few friends.

Curious to give it a try? Here are four steps to get you started.

Ah, summer – the season when the world splits into three, not due to politics or sports, but because of the endless possibilities for your holidays, weekends or daytrips. 

On one side, you have the sunbathers, who live for the sand between their toes and the salty caress of the sea breeze. On another, the mountaineers, who find peace in the gentle whispers of pine forests and the refreshing chill of alpine air. Finally, there are the city lovers, who enjoy relaxing in their home(towns) or exploring bustling world capitals.

In 2018, the Victoria's Secret fashion shows waved goodbye to their traditional format after declining viewers and criticism for promoting outdated beauty ideals. <1> Similarly, other brands like Abercrombie & Fitch faced backlash for promoting a predominantly white concept of attractiveness and fashion. <2>

Since then, the fashion industry has slowly begun to change, with brands embracing inclusivity in size and fit, and magazine covers reflecting this diverse beauty. Yet, as commonly acknowledged, a book cannot be accurately judged by its cover, nor can a winter outfit be defined only by a stylish coat.

Peeling back layers reveals the essence of a good book, the elegance of an outfit, or in our case, the multifaceted nature of diversity and inclusivity in the industry, which goes beyond size and fit and encompasses many other aspects. Let’s delve into them together and discover how brands are actively working to drive change.

“Constant dropping wears away a stone", a Greek proverb says. This means that consistent small actions, simple drops, even if they seem insignificant alone, can break through what seems unchangeable, a rock!

Today, one of the biggest "rocks" we face is the lack of sustainability in our world, leading to many challenges. But why can't we improve this with simple "drops" of effort?

Here are four tips to make a difference in our daily lives.

Since the early 2000s, newer generations have been caught in a limbo – torn between glittery TV shows and magazine covers, and practical lessons from their parents on how to preserve clothes as immaculately as they did with their 18^th birthday dress.

At least that was the norm until the arrival of the pandemic and the looming specter of climate change, which has made 42% of millennials more likely to invest in sustainable items compared to other generations.^[1] In the early 2020s, they are finally abandoning the limbo to descend into their parents’ closets looking for that 18^th birthday dress to enrich their mindful wardrobes.

Living responsibly is not just for tree-huggers, everyone should care. Yet, many find it hard – to care, not to hug trees – because of fake myths and misconceptions surrounding the idea of making conscious choices.

Despite some popular belief, adopting a mindful lifestyle doesn’t have to be boring, dramatic, or complicated. To phrase it like they would on TikTok, whether you're Demure or Brat, you can express your unique style while choosing this path. With that in mind, let’s debunk the 3 biggest myths surrounding sustainability.