What Is Sustainable Fashion?
11 Feb 2024
For millennials, money is not the deciding factor in choosing a profession. They strive to improve the world by working for companies that care about the environment. More and more young people are finding their way in the world of sustainable fashion. Did you know that cotton clothing does not equal sustainable clothing? Let's talk about the principles of sustainable fashion. Every year, more and more clothing brands are announcing their transition...(no, not to the "dark side") but to a sustainable development model. Let's understand what this means and what directions you need to consider to make your brand sustainable.
Women's fashion brands are increasingly interested in environmental issues and declaring their transition to a sustainable fashion model instead of "fast fashion." For some, this is simply a tribute to the trend, but other designers are building their brand around sustainability from the ground up. It's all about making clothing more sustainable - at the design, production, distribution, and disposal stages. This is how manufacturers balance their business's profitability with the devastating environmental impact of their production facilities. The Blueprint looks at how local brands in the Nordic countries of Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands are embracing sustainability and how we can work together to reduce their environmental impact. We look at how new brands are working, how old brands are changing, who is buying their products, and how some companies use eco-consciousness for commercial gain.
The phrase sustainable fashion, or literally "sustainable fashion," has long since gone beyond the professional vocabulary of the fashion industry and entered everyday life. In 2019, the issue of responsible consumption is not just a fashion trend but a necessary measure. The threat of global warming and pollution is not only a concern for eco-activists today. Both big corporations and niche fashion brands are fighting against the overconsumption of things to rethink the approach to production.
Women's fashion brands are increasingly interested in environmental issues and declaring their transition to a sustainable fashion model instead of "fast fashion." For some, this is simply a tribute to the trend, but other designers are building their brand around sustainability from the ground up. It's all about making clothing more sustainable - at the design, production, distribution, and disposal stages. This is how manufacturers balance their business's profitability with the devastating environmental impact of their production facilities. The Blueprint looks at how local brands in the Nordic countries of Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands are embracing sustainability and how we can work together to reduce their environmental impact. We look at how new brands are working, how old brands are changing, who is buying their products, and how some companies use eco-consciousness for commercial gain.
The phrase sustainable fashion, or literally "sustainable fashion," has long since gone beyond the professional vocabulary of the fashion industry and entered everyday life. In 2019, the issue of responsible consumption is not just a fashion trend but a necessary measure. The threat of global warming and pollution is not only a concern for eco-activists today. Both big corporations and niche fashion brands are fighting against the overconsumption of things to rethink the approach to production.
What Does Sustainable Fashion Mean?
Sustainable fashion is a new way of looking at the fashion industry based on conscious consumption, ethical production, long-term use, and care for the world and humanity. In other words, sustainable fashion is not a current trend, not a fashion trend that is destined to last no more than a season, but a way of life, a radically new type of thinking.
Sustainable fashion is a real trend in the fashion world. It implies a careful attitude not only to nature but also to people, meaning the provision of safe and ethical working conditions for workers, responsible consumption of resources and their use in the long term, adherence to the principle of "zero waste," support for local economies and much more. In general, this concept is regarded as a kind of ideology to which all eco-activists and people who are simply not indifferent to the preservation of the environment adhere. There is even a whole concept of ESG, which implies doing business according to environmental, social, and corporate responsibility principles.
Due to the growing eco-consciousness among young people and entire corporations, there are increasingly "green" trends, the main purpose of which is to care about the environment. However, even more often, brands are using the popularity of eco-ideas to promote their products. That is why knowing what lies behind the new slogans and loud statements is extremely important. The most popular current trends in fashion are Slow Fashion and Sustainable Fashion. The first trend calls to refuse the rapid change of trends and consciously consume goods of all categories; sustainable fashion implies a change in lifestyle for both consumers and producers.
The term was first heard in 1987 during the UN Commission's report on the environment. The sustainable worldview is based on ethical, ecological, and economic components, with a long-term perspective. What it means for brands: The footprint of textile production should be minimal for eco-systems, and the production process should be transparent and safe for workers and customers. What it means for consumers: Sustainable Fashion encourages you to consider whether the things you buy are really necessary (in excess), what company philosophies you support by buying their products, and what materials and conditions the product was made.
Sustainable fashion is a real trend in the fashion world. It implies a careful attitude not only to nature but also to people, meaning the provision of safe and ethical working conditions for workers, responsible consumption of resources and their use in the long term, adherence to the principle of "zero waste," support for local economies and much more. In general, this concept is regarded as a kind of ideology to which all eco-activists and people who are simply not indifferent to the preservation of the environment adhere. There is even a whole concept of ESG, which implies doing business according to environmental, social, and corporate responsibility principles.
Due to the growing eco-consciousness among young people and entire corporations, there are increasingly "green" trends, the main purpose of which is to care about the environment. However, even more often, brands are using the popularity of eco-ideas to promote their products. That is why knowing what lies behind the new slogans and loud statements is extremely important. The most popular current trends in fashion are Slow Fashion and Sustainable Fashion. The first trend calls to refuse the rapid change of trends and consciously consume goods of all categories; sustainable fashion implies a change in lifestyle for both consumers and producers.
The term was first heard in 1987 during the UN Commission's report on the environment. The sustainable worldview is based on ethical, ecological, and economic components, with a long-term perspective. What it means for brands: The footprint of textile production should be minimal for eco-systems, and the production process should be transparent and safe for workers and customers. What it means for consumers: Sustainable Fashion encourages you to consider whether the things you buy are really necessary (in excess), what company philosophies you support by buying their products, and what materials and conditions the product was made.
Why Sustainable Fashion Is Important?
Nowadays, there is no time to delay in addressing the issues the apparel industry poses through sustainable fashion. Every year, textile production uses about 98 tons of raw materials (from fabrics to chemical dyes) and 93 billion cubic meters of water. A complete cycle of production of one cotton T-shirt requires about 2700 liters of water. According to calculations of the American company Levis, producing one pair of jeans (from growing cotton to washing) requires 3780 liters of water, which is still very economical. Other brands need at least 7000 liters to produce jeans. This is even though the number of countries with a shortage of drinking water is increasing every year.
During the production of clothes, 1.2 billion tons of CO2 were emitted into the atmosphere. According to the UN, if this process is not slowed down, instead of the 8% of greenhouse gases left by the textile industry today, by 2025, this industry will account for 25% of the carbon "budget." But the situation is critical not only with water and air: thousands of hectares of forests are being destroyed to make way for pastures and farms. Not only to provide meat products but also leather for making clothes, shoes, and accessories.
These issues caused by the garment industry must be addressed through sustainable fashion concepts and actions. We must change the negative environmental impact of the garment industry through sustainable fashion. A sustainable approach to fashion can also encourage consumers to buy clothing in an eco-friendly way. That's the reason why sustainable fashion is so important to us.
During the production of clothes, 1.2 billion tons of CO2 were emitted into the atmosphere. According to the UN, if this process is not slowed down, instead of the 8% of greenhouse gases left by the textile industry today, by 2025, this industry will account for 25% of the carbon "budget." But the situation is critical not only with water and air: thousands of hectares of forests are being destroyed to make way for pastures and farms. Not only to provide meat products but also leather for making clothes, shoes, and accessories.
These issues caused by the garment industry must be addressed through sustainable fashion concepts and actions. We must change the negative environmental impact of the garment industry through sustainable fashion. A sustainable approach to fashion can also encourage consumers to buy clothing in an eco-friendly way. That's the reason why sustainable fashion is so important to us.
Benefits of Sustainable Fashion
The fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to environmental pollution and waste. However, sustainable fashion is a green approach to style that aims to reduce the fashion industry's ecological footprint. Many benefits of sustainable fashion go beyond preserving the environment. In this section, we will discuss the benefits of sustainable fashion, including social, economic, and environmental benefits.
1. Environmental Benefits
Sustainable fashion is eco-friendly and seeks to reduce the fashion industry's negative environmental impact. Sustainable fashion uses eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled materials. This reduces the amount of waste in landfills and contributes to pollution. Sustainable fashion also reduces the use of water and energy in production, reducing the fashion industry's carbon footprint. For example, Patagonia, a sustainable fashion brand, uses recycled polyester to produce clothing. This reduces the amount of plastic waste in the ocean and landfills.
2. Social Benefits
Sustainable fashion also has social benefits. It promotes fair labor practices and ensures that workers in the fashion industry are paid fairly. Sustainable fashion brands also prioritize the well-being of their workers by providing safe working conditions and access to healthcare. For example, Everlane, a sustainable fashion brand, discloses the cost of production of each item it sells to ensure that workers are paid fairly. The brand also inspects the factories where their clothes are made to ensure that workers are treated well.
3. Economic Benefits
Sustainable fashion has economic benefits for both consumers and producers. Sustainable fashion brands produce high-quality clothing that lasts longer, reducing the need for frequent purchases. This saves consumers money in the long run. Sustainable fashion also creates jobs in the fashion industry, contributing to economic growth. For example, Eileen Fisher, a sustainable fashion brand, produces timeless and high-quality clothing. Their clothing is designed to last a long time, reducing the need for frequent purchases.
4. Health Benefits
Sustainable fashion also has health benefits. Sustainable fashion brands use eco-friendly materials free from harmful chemicals and toxins. This reduces the risk of health problems such as skin irritation, allergies, and respiratory problems. For example, Pact, a sustainable fashion brand, uses organic cotton to produce its clothes. This reduces the risk of skin irritation and allergies caused by chemical residues in the clothes.
5. Ethical Benefits
Sustainable fashion also has ethical benefits. Sustainable fashion brands prioritize animal welfare and do not use animal products in their clothing. This promotes ethical fashion practices and reduces the use of animal products in the fashion industry. For example, Stella McCartney, a sustainable fashion brand, produces clothing free from animal products. The brand uses innovative materials such as vegan leather to produce its clothing.
Sustainable fashion has numerous benefits that go beyond preserving the environment. It promotes fair labor practices, creates jobs, saves consumers money, promotes health, and encourages ethical fashion practices. We can contribute to a greener and more sustainable fashion industry by supporting sustainable fashion brands.
1. Environmental Benefits
Sustainable fashion is eco-friendly and seeks to reduce the fashion industry's negative environmental impact. Sustainable fashion uses eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled materials. This reduces the amount of waste in landfills and contributes to pollution. Sustainable fashion also reduces the use of water and energy in production, reducing the fashion industry's carbon footprint. For example, Patagonia, a sustainable fashion brand, uses recycled polyester to produce clothing. This reduces the amount of plastic waste in the ocean and landfills.
2. Social Benefits
Sustainable fashion also has social benefits. It promotes fair labor practices and ensures that workers in the fashion industry are paid fairly. Sustainable fashion brands also prioritize the well-being of their workers by providing safe working conditions and access to healthcare. For example, Everlane, a sustainable fashion brand, discloses the cost of production of each item it sells to ensure that workers are paid fairly. The brand also inspects the factories where their clothes are made to ensure that workers are treated well.
3. Economic Benefits
Sustainable fashion has economic benefits for both consumers and producers. Sustainable fashion brands produce high-quality clothing that lasts longer, reducing the need for frequent purchases. This saves consumers money in the long run. Sustainable fashion also creates jobs in the fashion industry, contributing to economic growth. For example, Eileen Fisher, a sustainable fashion brand, produces timeless and high-quality clothing. Their clothing is designed to last a long time, reducing the need for frequent purchases.
4. Health Benefits
Sustainable fashion also has health benefits. Sustainable fashion brands use eco-friendly materials free from harmful chemicals and toxins. This reduces the risk of health problems such as skin irritation, allergies, and respiratory problems. For example, Pact, a sustainable fashion brand, uses organic cotton to produce its clothes. This reduces the risk of skin irritation and allergies caused by chemical residues in the clothes.
5. Ethical Benefits
Sustainable fashion also has ethical benefits. Sustainable fashion brands prioritize animal welfare and do not use animal products in their clothing. This promotes ethical fashion practices and reduces the use of animal products in the fashion industry. For example, Stella McCartney, a sustainable fashion brand, produces clothing free from animal products. The brand uses innovative materials such as vegan leather to produce its clothing.
Sustainable fashion has numerous benefits that go beyond preserving the environment. It promotes fair labor practices, creates jobs, saves consumers money, promotes health, and encourages ethical fashion practices. We can contribute to a greener and more sustainable fashion industry by supporting sustainable fashion brands.
How You Can Support Sustainable Fashion?
- Do away with the monthly closet update. Let it include a few high-quality and favorite things.
- Take care of your clothes, keep them clean and in good condition so you don't have to buy new ones.
- Adherence to the concept of sustainable fashion. Do not throw away clothes if they are not the right size or simply bored. Even in our age of abundance, unfortunately, millions of people need something so boring to your eye. Take things to city flea markets (they give them away to those in need or sell them for pennies). In Moscow, for example, you can take them to this one.
- Support manufacturers whose approach to production is environmentally friendly; for example, they use recycled materials, control air emissions, and water consumption, use recycled materials, and accept things for recycling.
- Don't buy fur coats and things with real fur; help reduce the demand for these products. Real fur looks beautiful only on animals.
- Take care of your clothes, keep them clean and in good condition so you don't have to buy new ones.
- Adherence to the concept of sustainable fashion. Do not throw away clothes if they are not the right size or simply bored. Even in our age of abundance, unfortunately, millions of people need something so boring to your eye. Take things to city flea markets (they give them away to those in need or sell them for pennies). In Moscow, for example, you can take them to this one.
- Support manufacturers whose approach to production is environmentally friendly; for example, they use recycled materials, control air emissions, and water consumption, use recycled materials, and accept things for recycling.
- Don't buy fur coats and things with real fur; help reduce the demand for these products. Real fur looks beautiful only on animals.
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