A Self Serve

 Do we ever get any help or will it all just be up to us? I think we've all seen what has been happening under the current administration. The policies, the decisions, the consequences that ripple through every aspect of our lives, including the industries we often don’t think twice about. Fashion, for example, isn’t just about aesthetics or trends—it’s deeply tied to labor rights, environmental policies, and economic structures that are influenced by those in power.

So when we ask, Do we ever get any help?, the reality is that systemic change requires leadership willing to prioritize people and the planet over profit. But as we’ve seen time and time again, those in charge often fall short. While there have been some efforts to address sustainability and ethical labor in fashion—such as discussions around regulating fast fashion, improving working conditions, and reducing carbon footprints—many of these initiatives lack the urgency and enforcement they need to create real impact.

That leaves us with the frustrating truth: much of the work does fall on us. Consumers are expected to navigate misleading "sustainable" marketing, hold brands accountable, and make better choices, all while trying to survive in an economy that makes ethical shopping a privilege rather than the norm. Independent designers and small businesses who do prioritize sustainability are often left struggling to compete against billion-dollar corporations that continue to mass-produce at reckless rates.

But while the burden feels heavy, it’s not impossible to push for change. Every movement starts somewhere, and every shift in consumer behavior, every call for transparency, and every push for policy reform brings us closer to the industry we should have—one that values people as much as profit and the planet as much as production. The question isn’t just whether we’ll get help—it’s whether we’ll keep demanding it until we do.