The Wardrobe To Die For | Lucy Siegle | TEDxSalford

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. An expose on the fashion industry written by the Observer's 'Ethical Living' columnist Lucy Siegle, examining the inhumane and environmentally devastating story behind the clothes we so casually buy and wear.
Taking particular issue with our current mania for both big-name labels and cheap fashion, her talk sets an agenda for the urgent changes that can and need to be made by both the industry and the consumer. Far from outlining a future of drab, ethical clothing, Lucy Siegle believes that it is indeed possible to be an 'ethical fashionista', simply by being aware of how and where (and by whom) clothing is manufactured.
Lucy Siegle is one of the UK’s most recognisable opinion-forming journalists on environmental issues. She has been an Observer columnist since 2004 and also contributes features and comment pieces. Her mission is to re-brand ecology and wider environmental issues as relevant and accessible and she launched the Observer Ethical Awards in 2005.
Her work is underpinned by rigorous research and scientific debate (she does not believe in the healing power of crystals). After guest slots on BBC Breakfast, Newsnight and Live Earth, her playful authority was spotted by the makers of The One Show, BBC1 in June 2007 and she was commissioned to present five films on recycling. She quickly established herself as a regular reporter, and has now made countless topical, current affairs and eco related films for the show and appears regularly in studio. She is also a regular expert host for television including: The Money Programme for BBC News 24, UKTV Food, Sky News Sunrise, GMTV and Tonight with Trevor McDonald.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@fatimxh]

I loved that she spoke about fast fashion!!💕 alternatives to high street shops: thrift stores, borrowing, charity shops and keeping good quality clothes for a loooong time

[@anahewett9338]

Excellent presentation, great that she mentioned the forgotten in this industry. It can be changed. We need to be more compassionate towards people and our planet.

[@daharja]

Excellent presentation. The 30 wears per item idea is also really excellent - I'll pass that on.

[@pomminnie]

more people need to watch this video so that the world makes more sense...how confusing and vain the world has become in the name of fashion and style...

[@debbiestrange3832]

pomminnie and we

[@10skingdomorganics4]

She sO passionate Excellent talk, God bless her. ...Peace...

[@peneleapai]

Agreed. and you said it all too! Thank you!!

[@peneleapai]

How I would love to have/see dress-making in every school... for both boys and girls... Upcycling for the youngest perhaps, and building on principle and skills learnt since then.. An inspiring and stirring talk, Thank you so much. Love her cowl neck top too (had me searching for a fair trade one afterward!) 🌀

[@vaderladyl]

There used to be a class for that back in the days called "Home Economics" where sewing was teached to the kids but it was sadly discarded when it was deemed "unfashionable" and "uncool" by the kids around the late 90's and the advent of the consumerist culture.

[@dianal.clausen8118]

This fashion statement is well overdue. I am running out of pajamas because when I read the labels my conscience will not let me purchase anything. Please get these quality/humane products on our shopping racks and shelves. Up to now, Stella Mccartney is the only designer who has preached this. If the tip designers do it, the consumer stores will follow. Let's make it chic.

[@moneymagnetelizabeth]

I am starting to make my own clothes If people made their own clothes then there would be more appreciation and open up yourself to trading with each other even garments.

[@captainbossy123]

I love this.

[@peneleapai]

I keep asking and saying it should be in every school (secondary and even primary!) ... In this day and age, it will surely be a win-win-win situation. All children (and humans i would think) love creating ... To not do so is part of the huge dysfunct in society these days... The huge divide and separation between what we consume and how it gets to us.

[@kellarenna]

I learned how to sew and make all my own pieces now. I love it! Or I go thrift shopping. I know how to tailor/alter everything exactly how I want it. Its great. Awesome skill to have.

[@rsdebonneville7646]

How about considering to by second hand clothing next time you need a new clothing item..why contribute to more production when we are drowning in the amounts of clothing that has already been produced ..lets all use that up first before we buy new

[@phyliciajoykloes]

For sure.

[@InbarShahak]

love your idea about fashion roots and traveling way

[@janetduignan7559]

Wear something 30 times? I've been wearing some clothes for 30 years!

[@Nate1975]

30 times doesnt seem long to me either

[@intotheeco8198]

I have been wearing clothes for years too! I think a lot of people unfortunately dont do this anymore, which is such a shame. There is a lot of joy to be had for loving your clothes!

[@danicabozin9697]

I'm 26 and I have things I've been wearing for 10 years xD

[@Danybella]

It's a start.

[@wendyquiroga6197]

I also wear clothes that are 10-15 years old...One of my favorite tops for over 10yrs! I really started cutting back on buying "duplicates" after watching a documentary on Netflix about fast fashion called The True Cost. I also buy items from thrift stores and try to repair or upcycle with my sewing machine. You also save money! 😊

[@pattiphillips1722]

I regularly do "clothing swaps" at my home with my girlfriends. We all bring things over that we don't wear, and all go home with new garments that we can enjoy- all for no $$$!

[@1fata]

Patti Phillips How exactly? You get 1 for 1 or.. how do you do it exactly?

[@ShethTora]

This is becoming a big thing I think. I've seen monthly ones organised in Sydney for a while now.

[@vicklee33]

I have done this twice! It’s amazing! It’s A free refresh and a way to “recycle”

[@selenale4116]

amazing speech, thank you

[@haven-of-bliss]

Thank you for this.

[@crueltyfreesara5740]

That was excellent! So moving. Thank you Lucy. 😭✌🏻

[@bbygrlpt2]

Last yr I went thru all my clothes and realized I have enough clothes for a long time. This yr I just bought a sweater and some socks. I dont use jeans anymore just leggings and they go with everything. If I decide to buy anything in the future itll be neutral and good quality. Im done wasting money on fast fashion and shoes.

[@MESSENGER-of-JESUS-CHRIST]

‘Who has all these yachts’ 😂correct! Great talk

[@SurinaNash]

Very informative! Thank you! Excellent talk!!!

[@janetduignan7559]

There is no 'fashion' any more because the trends change so fast that any historian of fashion would find it hard to say exactly what people wear now. Apart from jeans, that is.

[@intotheeco8198]

I have this same thought all the time. What are the stand out trends that can be recorded. I can't think of much in terms of solid trends. We will be know as the generations who had the attention span of a flee haha

[@lindatisue733]

I just found 20 kg of new clothes, tags attached, in the burn bin at my apartment. There is a charity box 20 meters from the burn bin.

[@GangstaBambi]

very sad.

[@Psalm_27.4]

Linda Tisue Wow!

[@vaderladyl]

Sadly there are many people so consumed by consumerism and their self absorbed lifes that they cannot even fathom the idea of donating something even if it hits them in the face.

[@jennychen7511]

Fashion industry had a bigger impact on environment than aviation. Honestly, it is about time to discard the fast fashion totally and adopt a more sustainable approach to our apparel. The fashion need slow down.

[@Danybella]

EVERYONE should watch this...especially these 'new instagram models"...

[@K8E666]

Love Lucy Siegle !

[@jdy081377]

where can I get the exact subtitle??

[@kieuanhnguyen1906]

the theme is stranger

[@aboodkhaledd]

people dont look at u, they look at what u wear, our clothes become our identity, I hate the idea that our clothes is what defines us, we should stop judging people according to their clothes, stop spending money and time in clothes, we should believe that less is more, and follow the 10 items wardrobe method, dont make what u wear the most expensive thing about u.

[@AvgJane19]

Abood Khaled that's the way clothes have always functioned, as a marker of status. It's been that way for millennia

[@chrissingleheart]

"Thank You" to Lucy for starting The Green Carpet Challenge and for everything she does to respect garment workers!

[@1lovetheocean]

thank YOU! we need education and a we're going off for a total change in our system. there's enough clothes at secondhand shops to dress the entire world. each one of us can lead and be the change. 💙

[@intotheeco8198]

So much love for the work Lucy does in raising awareness about the dark side of the garment industry. So sad the Rana Plaza happened. So mad that people have to die for our clothes, that we wear once then throw away anyways. Where is the justice?

[@JoeyLevenson]

Ali Hewson is Bono's wife.

[@Sbannmarie]

I’m from the thrift store capital of the world. In Ventura California.

[@kreuter4547]

looks and sounds like greed to me. Thanks for the excellent information on numbers. We need sustainable for sure.

[@geordienicrae]

K Reuter I

[@metaphordecorideas6881]

The owner of rana plaza managed to get bail last month. He is now free from prison

[@lemsip207]

It would be better if Primark would give out simple paper bags instead of thick paper carrier bags because then the customer would remember to bring a shopping tote or back pack with them when shopping to put their purchases in that was automatically issued. When I buy clothes now I used to get a free thick plastic carrier bag but now there is a charge on them. I have a bag with me so don't buy the plastic carrier bag but the item of clothing is loose inside my bag and could get contaminated with whatever is in there. I wouldn't mind a thin paper bag given out with the item of clothing.

[@nazmussadat7852]

I agree

[@bruhm0mentos]

Imagine putting yourself on a pedestal but having 19 damn jeans like wtf

[@kcatfish2268]

It's about time we got rid of fast fashion and the industry and this lady give their head a shake. Wear it 30 times?? If consumers did not demanded things to be cheaply made they would last longer. People would have several key outfits not this consumerism overloaded wardrobe trend. There is nothing wrong with tofu, hippy fashion or second hand. Stop trying to keep up with the Jones and get your own individual style.

[@Jacksonifyer]

Bruh

[@tikalaxmilimbu9965]

👌🏽😘

[@techgirl7080]

omg

[@mindblowing3202]

was 2014 too early for vegan leather?????

[@fondcello1994]

Fast fashion put food on table of millions in 3rd countries Europeans are so put of reality3

[@hollywood9456]

I hate the constant sound of saliva in the background of this video

[@natalian4079]

Holly Wood, it is misophonia

[@__-yw1hb]

I get what you're saying but it's not that. Microphone seems a lot more sensitive. Headphone mics seem to be clearer than the fixed podium mics. Watched and listened to a lot of TED Talks and this is the first one I've really noticed the fast talking, breathing and every small body movement heard in what was said, and it was quite distracting. I can imagine it's quite daunting speaking in a large lecture theatre to a set time so not hating, though most people don't own designer labels or own a yatch. The two parts in this lecture: mass market demand and profits are forcing production cost down, something must break - the hidden costs of slave labour, and the environmental damage caused by mass production of the most commonly used fabrics could have been shorter and clearer.

[@101ineke]

19 pair of jeans, are your for real.

[@NathanielOffer]

19 pairs of jeans? I don't own 19 items between collars shirts and trousers. Gotta love how she talks like the whole world has no clue what they own and we all follow the fashion "micro trends" Some of us live in the real world.

[@irairod5160]

Nathaniel--she's obviously not speaking of people like you. Sadly, in the "real world" of the United States, I don't know anyone (male or female) who doesn't have closer to 100 items in their closet. Shirts, pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, special occasion dresses, socks, ties, belts, workout clothes, athletic shoes, dress shoes, snow boots, boat shoes, coats, jackets, sweaters, purses, everyday underwear, "special occasion" underwear, pajamas...if we count all of those items, I can assure you the number will astound you. I have a streamlined closet, don't follow trends, and do not buy things just because they are "on sale", and still have 10 pairs of black shoes: ballet flats, flat sandals, low heel, high heel, strappy evening heels, wedges, rain boots, riding boots, ankle boots, sneakers...add the handful of "colored" shoes I have, and that's already close to 20 items. Even with a capsule wardrobe, which I keep to around 40 items, that brings the total to 60. I'm sure that if I count my work bag, handbags, underwear, sunglasses, hats, special event dresses, scarves, belts, and the out-of-season pieces that don't belong in my current capsule, I hit the 100 mark. And that's me, who is very well aware of the cost of fashion and tries really hard to have a downsized clothing collection. Likewise, my man has about 5 pairs of work shoes, probably 7-10 "leisure" shoes (sneakers, snow boots, ski boots, boat shoes, hockey shoes, sandals, etc.) some 10 suits, 15-20 dress shirts, another 8-10 pairs of trousers, not fewer than 15 ties, some 8 pairs of jeans, a handful of coats, jackets, ski pants, and sweaters, and who knows how many t-shirts, Hawaiian and Cuban-style shirts, shorts, belts, baseball caps, fishing hats, etc. Ask your friends and you'll see you are the exception, not the rule. And believe it or not, so am I! The average American woman (if they work outside of the home or engage in a lot of "evening" social events) has 50 pairs of shoes. Shoes! That's what Ms. Siegle was talking about. Because clothes (and leather goods) are now quickly and cheaply made, and the fashion industry pushes one trend after another in rapid succession, we've lost sight of the implications of our never ending cycle of buying, throwing out, and buying again. I applaud her for reminding us of who pays the real cost of our consumerism.

[@NathanielOffer]

Irai Rod Thanks for your comment but I wasn't speaking about the entire contents of my closet. I clearly said between collared shirts and trousers. You then went on to describe the warehouse you call a closet in great detail. If you like drowning in a million items then that's great for you. Some of us buy what we like and wear it and don't spend every waking moment and every hard earned dollar in a store but crap we don't need.

[@irairod5160]

Nathaniel, you took my comment all wrong. I did see you mentioned your collared shirts and trousers--obviously, I know you have more than that, just like I know Ms. Siegle has a lot more than the 19 pairs of jeans she mentioned. My intention in detailing what my closets look like was an attempt to illustrate than even those of us who have the desire of living a simpler life have trouble minimizing. It's something to strive for. I don't like drowning in things. I wear things until they give out. Shopping (especially for clothing) does not give me pleasure, in fact, I agonize over making ethical purchasing decisions more than the regular person does, buy from thrift shops in order to break the cycle of "disposable fashion", and sew many of the things I wear. My closet is hardly a warehouse--at 40-items per season, it's much smaller than that of anyone else I know. Finally, over half of my salary goes to buying books, food, and medical care for my students, so it's definitely not going to crap as you implied. Sorry you misunderstood my comment--I was agreeing with you in that we shouldn't follow "micro trends", pointing out you are an exception (and implicitly applauding you for it,) and adding my personal disappointment in knowing that even when we try, if all of us in the "real world" of the USA took inventory of our possessions, we would discover that we still have much, too much, while others are paying the consequences of our actions--the point the lecturer was making.

[@naznazia1967]

Nathaniel Offer I have two pairs...she must live in a massive houses..who would need that many jeans..

[@Psalm_27.4]

Nathaniel Offer Nathaniel Offer I hear sarcasm and contempt in both of replies to Ms. Rod, and that is very destructive to a conversation and to the dignity of another person. Very sad.

[@meganverne]

this is the first ted talk that I've watched that I didn't enjoy watching. she was all over the place and it doesnt seem like she was practiced so I kind of lost her point because of that

[@ellymay5139]

Call those wings home luv its distracting.. what you talked about THEN is not happening NOW .. so??