the planet blog
According to the author of “Psychology of Fashion” the global value of the fashion industry is about 3 trillion dollars and it employs 57.8 million people overall, meaning it’s a huge, global business. The UN report from 2015 showed that the fashion industry produces emissions on a bigger scale than the transport industry altogether, creating around 10% of all global emissions.
It is a crucial issue to consider in terms of sustainability and its effects on the planet because of its universal nature. Fashion is connected to any other business area and consumer in the world. Still, it uses a now outdated so-called linear business model that targets constant, exponential growth resulting in a massive overproduction. Alternatively using a circular model defined by The Ellen McArthur Foundation as follows: “clothes, fabric, and fibres re-enter the economy after use and never end up as waste”.
All of this information supports the idea that the overproduction of clothing is a real, environmental issue on a global scale. However, sustainability in terms of fashion can be approached from multiple levels beyond the environment.
According to a model proposed by the United Nations that helps to look at complex environmental issues from a more holistic perspective one of the areas we should focus on is “Responsible Consumption and Production”, however, the model goes beyond the aspect of physical waste and touches on issues such as “Reduced Inequalities”.
An example of a brand that succeeds at such an approach is Patrick McDowell, who focuses on repurposing deadeadstock materials from brands like Burberry, Swarovski, and other known ones but also on supporting the queer community, upholding a connection with the clients in order to keep a circular business model, which means enabling repairs and remakes of their pieces in the future and also spreads messages meaningful for the creator. The integrity of this brand’s philosophy is greatly admirable.
Another example is a Swedish women-founded and managed brand DJERF Avenue. It markets itself as a “non-seasonal” brand and produces ethically and from very eco-conscious materials but also promotes equality by representing a variety of minorities, starting from women of color through older women up to women with disabilities e.g. models on wheelchairs.
Both of these examples show the environmental consciousness that in the upcoming years should become the fashion industry standard if we are looking for ways to implement positive change.
Bibliography
Djerf Avenue. (n.d.). About us | Djerf Avenue. https://djerfavenue.com/en-gb/about-us/
Dpicampaigns. (2023, May 31). Take action for the sustainable development goals – United Nations Sustainable Development. United Nations Sustainable Development. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, A new textiles economy: Redesigning fashion’s future (2017).
patrickmcdowell. (n.d.). ABOUT. Patrickmcdowell. https://patrickmcdowell.co.uk/pages/about
Mair, C. (2018). The psychology of fashion. Routledge.
United Nations Climate Change. (2018, September 6). https://unfccc.int/news/un-helps-fashion-industry-shift-to-low-carbon. unfccc.int. Retrieved October 4, 2023, from https://unfccc.int/news/un-helps-fashion-industry-shift-to-low-carbon
image resources:
Tearall, R. (2023, September 19). Patrick. Pinterest. https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/342344009191294705/
OKEV GROUP. (2023, September 23). NEWEST FIND: Djerf Avenue Edition⭐️. Pinterest. https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/986077280895187474/
Ayala, A. (2023, August 28). Trendy Outfits. Pinterest. https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/11259067811319815/
Masnicová, M. (2023, February 18). What is Circular Economy & How Does It Work? : Complete Guide – RTS. Pinterest. https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/525232375305604415/