Sustainability & The City: 3 Fashion Figures Pioneering Diversity, Style and Sustainable Fashion For Detroit
Meet three of Detroit’s fashion figures pioneering the underrepresented yet important issues of sustainability, diversity, and the conservation of both creativity and the environment.
By: Antonia ‘Toni’ Gordon
In celebration of Women’s History Month, this series highlights Detroit’s women fashioners, retailers, and stylists and their efforts to conserve creativity and the environment. With fast and abundant fashion chains dominating U.S. apparel markets, hope for a sustainable and stylish future may be lost to some.
For these women, it is a call to action for greener future.
Amanda Sweet
“Community Consciousness”
Amanda Sweet
Creative Fairy Godmother
Image courtesy of Amanda Sweet
As the self-proclaimed “Creative Fairy Godmother,” Amanda has become a fixture on the Detroit fashion scene. Her brand – The ReVamp – is an ethically fashionable platform that pairs sustainability with fashion, art, and music. Amanda’s community of fun-loving creatives come together for a massive clothing swap where participants exchange valued but no longer used clothing for other gently used fashion pieces. Clothing from ReVamp events are also donated to homeless and domestic violence shelters in Detroit. With over 10,000 pounds of clothing donated so far, The ReVamp is a shining example of how fashion can be both fabulous and ethical. You can learn more about ReVamp events and Amanda by going to therevamp.co or by visiting amandasweet.live on all social media platforms.
Image courtesy of Amanda Sweet
India Shepherd
“High End Environmentalista”
India Shepherd
The Rotate Boutique Owner
Image courtesy of India Shepherd
The Rotate Boutique is a luxury, vintage retail shop located in Birmingham, MI. It’s owner, India, is a fashion maven with an “eye for style and a commitment to sustainability.” The boutique features fashion brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Nancy Gonzelez, and Saint Laurant. The store front offers femineity and luxury vibes to complement its quality selection. Shoppers can choose from an assortment of rare accessories, clothing, and shoes. While the selection is of the highest tier, what makes the rotate boutique exceptional is its commitment to sustainability. By offering resale services, India has minimized the number of clothing items that go to landfill each year. To learn more about India, sale your preloved items, or to view the shop’s exquisite selection, visit the shop in person at 361 E Maple in downtown Birmingham, MI. You can also visit Rotateboutique.com or the boutique’s Instagram page to browse new arrivals.
Image courtesy of Instagram
Tracy Reese
“Responsible Sourcing”
Tracey Reese
Fashion Designer
Image courtesy of Tracy Reese
Tracey is the designer and founder of the sustainable fashion brand Hope for Flowers (HoF). After 30 years in the fashion industry, Tracy developed HoF in hopes of encouraging other creatives to embrace responsible practices. She accomplishes her goal by designing beautiful pieces using mindfully produced fibers, organic fabrics, and biodegradable packaging. Tracy has collaborated with major brands such as Pottery Barn and Scarlet Crane. In fact, former First Lady Michelle Obama wore a custom Tracy Reese dress to address the Democratic National Convention. With partnerships with Barney’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Anthropologie, the brand does its part to showcase how responsibly sourced materials can minimize environmental waste.
