Is sustainability the latest fashion trend?
AMONG the crowds marching at the People’s Climate March in Washington DC recently was a group of over 30 models who travelled to the capital from New York to bring attention to issues of sustainability in the fashion industry and beyond.
Although many shoppers are not aware, fashion is a highly polluting industry. Chemicalbased dyes, the production of synthetic fibers such as polyester and even growing cotton, which can involve herbicides and oil-powered machinery, can all be hugely harmful to the environment. On top of that, there’s the massive carbon footprint that results from flying tonnes of garments around the world from manufacturers to retailers.
Fast fashion is of course one of the industry’s biggest culprits – since pieces are cheaper and of lower quality, we feel encouraged to throw them away and buy a whole new wardrobe each season. Indeed, Greenpeace estimates that the EU alone generates 1.5 to 2 million tonnes of used clothing each year.
That’s not to say however that luxury brands are without blame and in order to buy responsibly shoppers must do their research to find brands that balance sustainability with style:
Veja
Founded in 2004, French footwear brand Veja sources organic fair trade cotton from Brazil, along with rubber tapped from wild trees using a technique that doesn’t dam- age the plants. The shoes are made in the Southern state of Rio Grande Do Sul, where fair wages are guaranteed.
People Tree A pioneer of slow fashion, People Tree has been producing stylish clothing for men and women for over 25 years. All pieces are made by artisans and producers who conform to the World Fair Trade Organization’s standards, while the brand also ensures that production methods are as safe as possible.
H&M Conscious
The new H&M Conscious Exclusive collection launched on April 20, with a gown made from Bionic – a polyester made from recycled shoreline plastic – as the standout piece. Elsewhere, the line features organic silk and cotton and even unisex fragrances made from organic oils. Made