4 . More than 100 people, all visually damaged models, attended a fashion show organized by a 41-year-old Hempstead blind model, Annalee Smith, on Saturday.

Smith, who began modeling five years ago and won The Face of Kurvacious Model Competition last year, was diagnosed(诊断) with retinitis pigmentosa(色素性视网膜炎) at the age of 12. The rare genetic condition worsened her vision.

She explained that there were few visually damaged role models in the public field. And while the first New York fashion show starring blind models took the stage in 2016, visually damaged models still don’t have a large presence in fashion.

So Smith began planning her own show over a year ago. She initially planned for only a handful of models, but after announcing the event, she expanded the number of participants after reaching more visually damaged woman than she expected. “I’m inspired even by my own self,” she said.

Rafia Lawal, also a model, 37, was diagnosed with cataracts as a young girl. She auditioned(试演) for a spot on “America’s Next Top Model ” during the show’s early seasons but wasn’t selected. She blamed it on her previous lack of confidence and insecurity due to her disability. “Instead of looking at the camera, I was kind of closing my eyes,” she said. Now filled with confidence, she said she viewed the event as a chance to correct the belief that blind or visually damaged women don’t care about fashion.

5 . The general understanding of slow fashion is that it is sustainable fashion with a slightly different focus-speed. In 2007, when author Kate Fletcher coined the term "slow fashion", she called on consumers, designers and brands to slow down and care about quality.

Natural clothing materials and low-impact manufacturing are large parts of the sustainable fashion movement. This movement has invited a closer look into what sustainability looks like and how a change in thinking and practices could influence the fashion industry. Slow fashion is considered to be a continuation of sustainable fashion. Today, it is distinguished by quality, locally manufactured clothing, producing clothes on a smaller scale and with slower production times. Mindfulness is paid to workers, the environment, and cultural connections.

Slow fashion was a reaction to the rapid development of the fast fashion industry, which focuses on cheap, stylish, mass-produced clothes that have a huge impact on the environment. People had begun to notice the instability of the fast fashion model — from the employment of workers to pollution. However, fashion isn't always like this, and slow fashion aims to take us back to where it began, even before the Industrial Revolution.

When Kate first described slow fashion, she wanted it to focus on quality instead of quantity, in addition to the environmental ideals that were associated with sustainable fashion. Though Kate presented slow fashion as an opportunity to create an effective relationship between designer, production and consumer, it has developed over time to function even more. No longer is slow fashion only a theory on connection and better products; now, it includes consumer lifestyles and ethical production.

As consumers learn more about the troublesome practices within the fashion industry, the circles of sustainability are growing closer. Social media has only helped slow fashion brands reach more consumers. Adopting a slow-fashion way of living may seem frightening if consumers are new to the movement; however, it doesn't have to be difficult.

6 . About Saturnbird Coffee

Founded in 2015, Saturnbird Coffee is a unique coffee brand exploring new lifestyles. With excellent products, we dream for a new life with coffee which is born with limitless possibilities.

Why a Bird LOGO?

We wouldn't have thought of choosing a bird as our logo. This is a 2015 story when we were decorating our first studio. One day, a bird flew in and was trapped by the glass curtain wall. It had been few days when a collage finally found this dying little one. Our primary idea was to bury the barely breathing animal in the neighboring garden, but Wang Lian our co-founder, brought it home. To our great surprise, the bird, after being tenderly cared of, finally recovered and flew back to nature.

This lovely bird comes from nature, so do our little coffee beans. We aim to bring natural products to our customers, and give the concern back to nature through our environmental protection commitments and practices. This bird is a perfect symbol of love and nature.

How to Interpret “Make Coffee More Accessible”?

This is where we started. With years of experience in this industry, we hope we can achieve it. Coffee is not a luxury (奢侈) since the stage of plantation (种植园). Therefore, it can only become more accessible through modern media. Instead of simply focusing on coffee itself, we care more about the lifestyles with coffee. For instance, a sip of our drip coffee can open up a whole new world to beginners, but in a relaxing way.

What we want to do is to present the even more possibilities of high quality coffee through product development and design. Coffee will then become an everyday part, so near at hand.

Project Return

Project Return is a long-term project of recycling used Saturnbird coffee cups. During the biannual event, customers can sign up on our website to participate in this project. Themed goods are available for participants at designated (指定的) locations in various cities on mission days. Recycled cups will later be transformed into new items.