Ethical Fashion - How Sustainability is Changing the Game
Can fashion and ethics really go together? Sounds like an improbable combination doesn't it? Fashion and luxury have always been synonymous with each other for the longest time. Being fashionable always meant being excessive, grand, and glamorous.
But ethical fashion is a buzzword that is a more recent addition to the fashion vocabulary and is fast gaining traction. It is, however, a complicated concept that needs some unravelling.
So what is ethical fashion? What kind of ‘ethics’ does it entail? And isn't ethics a relative term that could mean different things to different individuals? Can sustainability play a role in making fashion more ethical? Can it help solve the fast fashion ethical issues faced by businesses and consumers alike?
Let's find out the answers to these queries and more!…
What is Ethical Fashion?
Ethical fashion is centred on ensuring responsibility in the design, production, and distribution processes of clothing so that there is no harm to either humans or the planet. It involves fair trade practices right from farming techniques through production methods and distribution cycles. It entails a strong sense of environmental and social responsibility behind the entire process.
If a brand claims to be ethical, it will make sure that the people involved in the manufacturing of its products are treated fairly, their work environments are safe, and their wages are fair.
Basic Principles of Ethical Fashion Practices
Ethical fashion practices make sure that the negative impact the fashion industry is having on humans, animals, and the environment, can be reduced.
The Labour involved in the supply chain is safeguarded.
- They should be given fair wages.
- Working conditions must be safe and hygienic.
- The rights of the workers should be protected, and they should be saved from exploitation.
- They must have access to healthcare and education.
Environmental sustainability is maintained.
- Natural resources have to be conserved.
- Carbon emissions should be reduced to a minimum.
- Reduced amounts of water and energy should be consumed.
- Waste and pollution must be brought to a minimum.
- Materials should be recycled.
Animal welfare is taken care of.
- The welfare of animals must be taken care of.
- Materials should be sourced from cruelty-free suppliers.
- Alternate to animal-derived materials must be used.
Sustainable material is used.
- Eco-friendly materials that help minimise harm to the planet should be used. These include organic cotton, bamboo, and biodegradable fabrics.
Problem with Fast Fashion
The fast fashion industry is an attractive market. With its lure of the latest trends available at extremely low prices, this industry has garnered a tremendous customer base. The global market value of fast fashion is expected to rise to 185 billion dollars by 2027.
The ease of access has brought fast fashion within easy reach of customers far and wide. Therefore, it becomes easy to forget the cost at which these clothes are produced. The limited resources of the planet and the over-worked people employed in this industry are not given much attention.
Fast fashion has become synonymous with the exploitation of resources and manpower. Companies outsource production to countries where labour is cheap and laws are lax. Simultaneously, unprecedented amounts of raw materials are fed into the industry, producing massive amounts of waste that pollute the land and marine ecosystems. Natural habitats are harmed, and chemicals and microplastics enter the water bodies.
It is this entire vicious cycle that ethical fashion companies are attempting to address.
Sustainability in Fashion
Companies have started rising to the challenges posed by the fast fashion industry. Taking up sustainable practices is one sure way to combat the negative impacts produced by the rapid production of garments.
Sustainability in fashion entails a sense of responsibility towards the environment and the people it employs. It is when the emphasis is on the well-being of everything and everyone involved in the entire supply chain. The animals used for raw materials are safeguarded the people employed are taken care of, and the environment is protected. It means that all stages of production are worked upon to ensure that the negative impacts are countered.
How Sustainability is Changing the Game.
Sustainability is revolutionising the fashion industry. It offers a powerful antidote to the negative effects of fast fashion.
Here is how it is helping bring about a positive change;
It lays Emphasis on Quality Over Quantity:
Sustainable fashion encourages consumers to opt for high-quality garments instead of the commonly available mass-produced, disposable clothing. By investing in timeless pieces that are made to last, customers can reduce their overall buying. They can help minimise the environmental impact that is a by-product of fast fashion and its relentless cycle of production and disposal.
The Supply Chains are Ethical and Transparent:
Unlike the obscure supply chains of fast fashion, sustainable brands give emphasis to transparency and ethical practices. They often source materials responsibly and ensure fair wages and safe working conditions for workers throughout the supply chain. They minimise their carbon footprint by opting for local production whenever possible.
Innovative Materials and Technologies are Used:
Companies endorsing sustainable fashion are constantly exploring innovative materials and technologies. This helps them create eco-friendly alternatives to traditional fabrics and production methods. From organic cotton and recycled polyester to innovative bio-based textiles, these materials offer greener options. And to top it all, there is no compromise on style or performance.
One such example is CELYSTM, a fully compostable polyester fibre that is not only biodegradable but also ideal for use in almost any textile application.
They Help Create Consumer Awareness and Education:
Perhaps the most significant shift brought about by sustainability is the increasing awareness and education among consumers. As people become more informed about the environmental and social impacts of their fashion choices, they actively seek out sustainable alternatives and hold brands accountable for their practices.
Sustainability in fashion is challenging the status quo of fast fashion. It is leading the charge by offering a more ethical, transparent, and environmentally conscious approach to clothing production and consumption. It is bringing the focus on quality, ethical practices, innovation, and consumer education. In short, it is helping the industry reimagine the future.
Conclusion
We must realise that now is the time to be more critical of our choices. While the idea of sustainability is still catching on with consumers and businesses alike, a sense of responsibility towards the planet and future generations needs to be built upon.
So the next time you go shopping, and walk along the aisles, sifting through the clothes, ask yourself the question, where did these garments come from? How were they created? What kind of an impact did they have on our environment?
The answers you give yourself will guide you towards the ethical fashion choices you must make for yourself.
