Supporting Local and Small Diverse Businesses Through Fashion Modeling
As a fashion model, I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible brands that not only embody style and creativity but also value sustainability and community. Over the years, I’ve learned that supporting local and small diverse businesses is one of the most impactful ways to combat fast fashion and help build a stronger economy and a more inclusive fashion industry.
In today’s fast-paced fashion world, where trends change rapidly and mass production runs rampant, the impact of fast fashion on the environment and workers is undeniable. However, by championing small, independent brands, we can begin to change the narrative and push for a more sustainable, ethical, and diverse future in fashion. Fashion modeling can be a powerful tool to bring attention to the brands that are committed to quality, sustainability, and local craftsmanship, and I’m proud to be part of this shift.
The Impact of Supporting Local Businesses
Local businesses often face challenges that larger corporations don’t, like limited marketing budgets and fewer resources to scale. But they also bring something incredibly valuable to the table: authenticity, individuality, and community. By choosing to work with local designers and businesses, I am not just supporting their growth, but also fostering a sense of cultural richness and creative freedom in the fashion industry.
When you shop small or collaborate with independent brands, you’re not only putting your money into quality products but also supporting local economies and sustainable business practices. This is a stark contrast to fast fashion, which thrives on disposable clothing and unsustainable production methods that harm both the environment and workers.
How Modeling Supports Sustainability and Combatting Fast Fashion
As a model, I see it as my mission to help shine a light on these small, diverse businesses that are pushing for sustainability and ethical fashion. By working with local and diverse brands like Fanm Djanm, V.Bellan, Nina Berenato, and Sendero Provisions (as shown in order via gallery), I am contributing to a larger movement that challenges the fast fashion industry.
These brands are committed to creating timeless, high-quality pieces that are crafted with intention and care, often using sustainable materials and ethical labor practices. Supporting them isn’t just about wearing beautiful clothes — it’s about promoting fashion with a purpose, where creativity and community are prioritized over profit.
For example, Sendero Provisions offers outdoor gear that’s built to last, promoting a slow fashion mindset by designing pieces meant for both functionality and style. Similarly, V. Bellan and Fanm Djanm highlight the beauty of Haitian/cultural authenticity in their collections, encouraging consumers to appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship behind every piece. Nina Berenato champions sustainability through unique jewelry designs made from recycled materials.
Why Small, Diverse Businesses Matter
When we support small businesses, we’re helping to create jobs and build stronger local economies. Unlike large corporations that often outsource production to countries with lower labor costs, small businesses tend to prioritize the well-being of their workers, often employing local artisans or small teams who are paid fairly for their work.
Moreover, these businesses are at the forefront of innovation and diversity in fashion. Small brands are more likely to experiment with new materials, embrace inclusive sizing, and represent diverse communities in their work. By choosing to wear these brands, I feel empowered to represent not just beautiful designs but voices that have often been sidelined by mainstream fashion.
Supporting Local, Sustainable Fashion: A Call to Action
Fast fashion has a significant environmental impact. The sheer volume of cheap, mass-produced clothing that ends up in landfills every year is staggering. Small, local businesses, on the other hand, are committed to sustainability and quality, often creating products that are designed to stand the test of time. Supporting these businesses is a powerful way to fight back against the harmful effects of fast fashion.
When you purchase from small brands, you’re investing in something more than just a product — you’re investing in the future of fashion. You’re supporting slow fashion that values craftsmanship over speed, diversity over conformity, and ethics over exploitation.
How You Can Get Involved
As a model and a consumer, I’ve made it my mission to promote and support local and diverse brands in all aspects of my career. Whether it’s collaborating with them for a photoshoot, attending a fashion event, or simply sharing their work on social media, there are countless ways to get involved in uplifting small businesses.
If you're a model, I encourage you to seek out and collaborate with brands that align with your values — ones that embrace sustainability, ethics, and diversity in their work. If you’re a consumer, make a conscious effort to shop from local businesses that prioritize quality, craftsmanship, and ethical production. Every small purchase, every collaboration, and every shout-out on social media makes a difference.
Conclusion: Fashion That Fosters Community and Sustainability
The more we support small, diverse businesses, the more we contribute to a fashion revolution that values creativity, sustainability, and ethical practices over mass production and disposable trends. Together, we can help reduce the influence of fast fashion and make room for a future where fashion is ethical, sustainable, and inclusive.
