Sustainable Fashion
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE FASHION?
Sustainable Fashion is a term that has emerged as a “megatrend” within modern day language around environmental conversations.
While most of us have heard the term, it is easy to imagine over-sized jackets and a mix match of dull colours and items you’d never consider wearing. However, this is no longer the image of sustainable fashion. Many brands have created vibrant and original garments with eco-friendly production and ethical considerations. With this also comes greenwashing, where some brands use click bait terms like “eco-friendly” and “responsible” to sell their clothes without following actual guidelines set out by environmental scientists.
Sustainable Fashion “is part of the slow fashion movement” that first gained attention in the 1960s, when people started to learn the damage clothing was doing to the environment. Next came the anti-fur protests of the 80s and then the ethical debate of the fashion industry in the 90s.
The main issue facing the adaptation of slow fashion is the need to grow businesses to make profit. While fast fashion aims to make money in the quickest way possible, slow fashion is about empowering workers with safe conditions and fair pay, “utilising upcycling, recycling”, and “incorporating renewable and organic raw materials” that are not as detrimental to the earth when disposed.
Fashion has been viewed as seasonal for decades. A particular style, fabric or colour appears in trend. While this concept still exists, sustainable fashion confronts this by focusing on creating long lasting products that are considered timeless. The real issue facing the adaption of sustainable fashion is our thought processes of always wanting the “it” thing.
I view fashion as an art form, being a wearable artist myself.
I question why, as a society, are we so quick to throw out or clothes but not paintings?
The answer comes down to Value.
I believe, and my opinion has changed over time, that it comes down to a lack of education around sustainable fashion.
I have been caught up in what the celebrities are wearing and getting my hands on fast fashion making these trends accessible. However, with the rising environmental problems the Earth is facing, our home, I believe it is time to open my mind and hopefully in the process help raise awareness and influence actions to be taken surrounding the fashion industry’s slow adoption of sustainable processes.
As a working member of the fashion/costume industry I am still learning myself, however I aim to support this movement towards a better fashion future.
REFERENCES
E. Henninger, C., J. Oates, C. and J. Alevizou, P. (2016) What is sustainable fashion?, Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal. Available at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFMM-07-2015-0052/full/html (Accessed: 25 January 2024).
Niinimäki, K. (2015) Ethical foundations in sustainable fashion - textiles and clothing sustainability, SpringerLink. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40689-015-0002-1 (Accessed: 16 January 2024).
Gwilt, A. (2014) A practical guide to sustainable fashion, Google Books. Available at: https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=K9LsDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR1&dq=sustainable%2Bfashion&ots=IFr7ZU0HQa&sig=N-NOGyIf1jlQiMhqqg4I6tbJ3OE&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=sustainable%20fashion&f=false (Accessed: 25 January 2024).
Photographer: Chris Huzzard
Wearing: 2nd hand dress, shoes & jewellery
WHAT CAN WE DO?
CONSUMERISM
One of the first things we can do to combat the environmental issues within the fashion industry is to cut down on our spending and buy products that will last longer and align with specific guidelines.
SECOND LIFE
By ensuring your garments gets a second life you can donate them to op shops or give them to someone else which will save them from heading straight into landfill.
REDUCE WATER FOOTPRINT
Being conscious of the clothes you are buying is crucial as textile production utilises 93bn cubic metres of water every year. Read into brands, particular dyes and fabrics, e.g. organic cotton uses less water.
AVOID GREENWASHING
With sustainability gaining popularity, greenwashing has become a tool for brands to use clickbait terms. Words such as eco-friendly, responsible, and conscious are used extensively, however it is important to dig deeper and see whether brands actually follow proper guidelines before buying clothing from them.
MATERIALS
Knowing different materials and their impacts on the environment is a great way to learn about the clothing we should avoid in order to be sustainable. Not all natural fibres are the same, e.g. organic cotton is way better than normal cotton.
SCIENTIFIC TARGETS
For a brand to be a trustworthy sustainable producer they should be follow guidelines and meet scientific targets that they must meet in reference to the ‘Science Based Targets Initiative’ along with having an aim to reduce CO2 emissions according to the ‘Paris Agreement.’
CONSCIOUS OF VEGAN FASHION
A thing to note is that not all vegan alternatives are great. While animal-derived fabrics such as wool or leather have ethical and environmental issues, sometimes the garments made to counter these are made of synthetic fibres. New technological advances, however, are seeing some leathers being made from the roots of fungi which could mean better sustainable fashion for the future.
WHO MADE THE CLOTHES?
When considering where to buy your clothes it is just as important to question how well the workers are being treated. Are they in a safe workspace and do they get paid enough?
HARMFUL CHEMICALS
Clothing made with harmful chemicals can release toxins into the environment, polluting waterways. Not only that they can be serious risk to workers within the production stage. This is why it is important to see ‘Made in Green by OEKO-TEX’ or Bluesign which are certifications that ensure brands are aligned with set out chemical guidelines.
THRIFT STORES
2nd hand shopping is a great fun way to buy clothing and help the circular lifestyle of the garment that has been donated there. However, it is very important not to shop too much and just throw away these clothes when you’re done with them. Make sure you either hand them onto a friend or donate them back to a store, or even better try repurposing them into another item.
SUSTAINABLE FASHION BRANDS
There has been a rise in fashion brands that are sustainable and another way to help the environment is to support these shops.
RENTING
Renting is a great way to ensure that a garment is getting well used and not just worn to one night out and tossed to landfill.
DRYCLEANING THINK TWICE
Drycleaning is best to avoid as the chemicals used tend to be harmful. However, if you do need to dry-clean make sure you take a reusable garment bag and do not waste more plastic.
AVOID MICROPLASTIC POLLUTION
While it is hard to avoid all synthetics as they are usually used in underwear and activewear it is important to understand that every time you wash this material thousands of microplastics get released. To help prevent this invest in a microplastic filter, ‘Guppyfriend washing bags’ or ‘Cora Ball’ which you can put into the machine with washing.
HAND-ME-DOWN
Hand-me-downs are another great option especially when you are growing up and changing clothing sizes. Receiving clothing from older extended family members or friends can help you save money, time, and the environment.
REFERENCE
Chan, E. (2021) What does sustainable fashion actually mean?, Vogue India. Available at: https://www.vogue.in/fashion/content/vogues-ultimate-guide-to-sustainable-fashion (Accessed: 14 January 2024).
DENIM INITIATIVE
As part of the "Beauty With a Purpose" initiative which is at the heart of Miss World I chose to support Variety: The Children's Charity through my sustainable fashion project, turning unwanted second-hand denim jeans into new items. Making bucket hats, repurposing old caps and covering them in the scraps left over from the bucket hats I have also made dog bandanas and will be making coin purses as well to collect donations.
It takes around 1,800 litres of water to make a single pair of jeans which means it crucial to re-use this material that has already caused damage to the environment by just being made, ensuring it does not just go straight to landfill. With a garment so popular, worn by practically everyone in their life denim jeans are a resource we should be turning into alternate items/garments once we're done wearing them.
Sustainable Fashion Course Certificate
