Building an Eco-Friendly Wardrobe is Now Easier with ZALORA

Fashion has seen a tremendous shift in purpose over the years. What was known as a form of self-expression has converged into something more meaningful, tending to a huge demand for modern shoppers who are environmentally conscious and is willing to put their money where their values are. 

Although the journey towards conscious consumerism is deeply personal — driven by factors such as socioeconomic status, accessibility and brand transparency  — ZALORA’s emergence as Southeast Asia’s first online retailer to establish a comprehensive sustainability plan is a big step in the right direction.

It’s also no secret that fashion is one of the most polluting industries in the world.

The ZALORA Basics x TENCEL™ collection, for instance, is an exciting foray into the conscious fashion landscape. Filled with neutral palettes to compliment your existing style, the fabrics are made from renewable sources that are certified as 100% compostable and biodegradable.

For those of you who are new to green fashion, TENCEL™ is a global supplier of green fabrics with an environmentally responsible production process. This partnership with ZALORA will not only provide better options for shoppers but will hopefully influence more fashion players within the region to provide greener alternatives. 

Fashion also tends to be cyclical so what’s in-trend now has definitely been in-trend before.

We spoke to Florence Song, ZALORA’s Style Lead, to get insight into her ethical practices and how we can adopt this habit while maintaining our love for fashion. 

How do you practice sustainability in your wardrobe while navigating new releases and trends that come with working at fashion e-commerce? 

Self-editing is key when it comes to shopping. I try not to shop on impulse and be extra mindful when buying anything, opting to buy only things I really love and know I will have no problem wearing on repeat for a long time. It’s important to steer away from the mindset that fashion is cheap and disposable. 

Fashion also tends to be cyclical so what’s in-trend now has definitely been in-trend before. This means you don’t have to shop new all the time to keep your wardrobe updated. Dig through your mum’s closet or your local bundle shops. Most of the time you’ll be able to find pieces that fit current trends to a T for a fraction of the price while doing your part in practising sustainability. 

Why is sustainable fashion important to you? 

Being a reformed shopaholic, I am well aware (and genuinely appalled) by the amount of fashion waste generated from just one woman’s closet (mine, if it wasn’t obvious). Can you imagine multiplying that by the millions all across the world? It’s also no secret that fashion is one of the most polluting industries in the world (not just in terms of environmental concerns but also social injustice) so if I can do my part to contribute towards the betterment of things - whether it’s paying a bit more to know that someone isn’t being exploited further down the supply chain or buying much less in order to reduce my environmental footprint — it would be irresponsible not to. 

What are some sustainable fashion initiatives you’re into at the moment that you can recommend?

I’m lucky to have close like-minded friends who share similar taste in fashion so we typically shop for one item to be shared across instead of buying the same item each. One of my current favourite brands has to be our in-house ZALORA x TENCEL™ collection — just great quality pieces made out of sustainable materials at fair price points. 

Tips on starting a capsule wardrobe for those who are new to ethical fashion. 

It’s important to identify the type of clothes or look you need in your life (for some that may be a bigger base of smart outfits whereas others may lean towards more casual fare) before planning out a rough idea of what your wardrobe should consist of. Invest in quality classic pieces that you can easily re-wear, reuse and rework in multiple ways in order to build your wardrobe foundation. That’s usually a solid pair of denim, a white/black tee, a white shirt and neutral coloured tops or bottoms with versatility being key. 

Extending the life cycle of items you currently own in your wardrobe is imperative to conscious fashion. If you are ready to take it one step further, ZALORA also allows shoppers to opt for a plethora of Sustainable Methods that include pre-loved luxury pieces, purely sustainable materials, animal-friendly products and a wide listing of items produced by brands that are committed to giving back to the environment and the community. 

Shop the ZALORA Basics x TENCEL™ collection here. 

For more information on ZALORA’s Sustainability strategy, click here.