Ever changing trends, the continuous creation of new must-haves, constant pressures on reducing labor costs. The fashion industry does not generally serve as a model for sustainability. So do we need to develop an alternative fashion system? Some experts are convinced we do – and very soon too.
According to cradle to cradle philosophy, a closed loop system will be infinitely more sustainable than the current linear process. In the fashion industry, this would mean that clothing would be recycled into new products without creating any garbage. That’s not an easy feat, even for vintage loving designers. In fact, for an eco-efficient, cradle to cradle proof fashion system to become a reality, designers would need to take into account the future recycling options (‘designing for recycling’). An example is making garments made of one type of fabric – and using recyclable elements such as zippers and labels – so that they can be re-used in their entirety.
As cradle to cradle is considered to be a rather complicated business model, sustainable fashion pioneers have also suggested other alternatives to the contemporary fashion system. Slow fashion is probably the most popular one. Fast fashion is often associated with trend driven, low quality, cheap items that contribute to labor exploitation in production countries and to throwawayism among Western consumers. In response, slow fashion has produced timeless, high quality collections that are meant to be worn for a long time.
Needless to say, slow fashion cannot compete with fast fashion when it comes to price. What’s more, given the current pace of fashion trends, slow fashion designers have difficulties to increase their market share. In a sense, slow fashion suffers the same fate as cradle to cradle design: if the mainstream fashion system does not change at its root, these alternatives have little hope of keeping up.
Does all this sound abstract to you? Being aware of what you buy can be a first step towards an alternative (in the sense of: more sustainable) fashion style. Items with a price tag that is too good to be true are just that. Someone else – put bluntly: most likely some overworked, underfed employee in a low wage country – will pay the costs. Environmentally friendly fabrics may not sound too sexy, but there are ever more attractive options available, ranging from lyocell to eco linen. And let’s not forget the increasingly trendy swapping parties, vintage stores and upcycling collections.
Adopting a slow fashion attitude will also require cherishing the items in your wardrobe, creating your own style regardless of seasonal trends. Another must-do: hiring or lending special items you’re not likely to wear often, such as wedding party outfits.
In the end , it all comes down to that good old cliché: buy less, choose well. Now that does not sound too complicated, does it?
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