samo’s fashionistas stitch it to fast fashion

In a world dominated by fast fashion, a growing number of Samo students are taking matters into their own hands - literally. Whether it's driven by a desire for sustainability, personalized style or creative expression, these students are joining a movement that values individuality and mindful consumption. Beyond creating handmade pieces it can also foster a deeper connection with both the clothes they craft as well as purchase, it makes them think about the longevity of their clothes and quality. 

One of the beanies Rogers made over the years as she focuses on combatting fast fashion

Maxine Rogers (’25) has a talent for knitting clothes and handcrafting jewelry. Rogers started knitting during quarantine, developed an interest in it and recently started hand-making her earrings out of clay. Making clothes has taught her to be more intentional putting time and effort into each piece, unlike fast fashion, where clothes are constantly mass-produced with little consideration for quality or longevity.

“During the process of knitting my own clothes, it gave me more respect for how much time and effort was put into making clothes. It has made me want to make my clothes last longer to get full use out of them,” said Rogers. 

Roger’s journey into knitting and jewelry crafting reflects a shift among students who are seeking more meaningful connections with what they wear. By crafting her own clothes and accessories, she is not only embracing creativity and sustainability but promoting a more thoughtful approach to daily clothes. 

Saunders decided to craft her own clothes such as these pants, because she feels empowered when she crafts her own clothes 

Katie Saunders (’17) challenges fast fashion and societal standards while expressing her creativity by crafting her clothes. Saunders, as a woman who doesn’t fit the typical model mold found it frustrating when she couldn’t find good-fitting clothes that truly fit her body, this frustration sparked her to alter and craft her own clothes. Moreover this skill empowered her to take control of her wardrobe.

“I’ve always felt weird about fast fashion, especially being a woman that's not shaped like the models are,” Saunder said. “I’m short and strong so I always aspired to be someone who knew how to alter my own clothes. But now that I'm editing my own stuff I always think twice about getting rid of something.”

Now with the ability to tailor her clothes, Saunders has become more aware of the clothes that she purchases as well as gets rid of. Instead of discarding the items that don’t fit perfectly, she reworks them to suit her needs creating more sustainability.

Drozdz designs their own clothing because they have a deeper appreciation for the process of manufacturing clothes

For Amelia Drozdz (’27) crafting her own clothing feels very rewarding not only for the time and effort she puts into crafting but also the benefit of having a new piece of clothing. For Drozdz it's a way for her to express her creativity and enjoy the fulfillment that comes from wearing something she made herself. Drozdz loves the process she goes through making her clothes, gaining a deeper appreciation for how time-consuming creating clothes can be. 

“I think crafting my own clothes is a good and creative outlet for combating fast fashion. Crocheting has made me realize how long a single top takes (6-8 hours).” Drozdz says

Although crocheting can be time-consuming, it's a way for Drozdz to express herself creatively and take a step forward against fast fashion. She is also embracing a sustainable lifestyle which reflects her environmental consciousness. Overall Drozdz loves the creative aspect and concurrently saving the planet.