Sustainability

What actually is sustainable fashion and why is so important?

Sustainable fashion has been a popular and progressive topic in the world over the past years – at the same time, it’s a confusing topic that can be hard to navigate, both as a consumer and a brand.

Some sustainable actions or changes are easy to adopt such as cutting out single-use plastics or commuting to work with a bike instead of a car – but when we look at the landscape of fashion, things can get a bit hazy.

What actually is sustainable fashion?

An all-inclusive term describing products, processes, activities, and actors (policymakers, brands, consumers) aiming to achieve a carbon-neutral fashion industry, built on equality, social justice, animal welfare, and ecological integrity.

A bit of a mouthful? Yep, you’re not alone. Consumers are becoming more mindful of their decisions when it comes to buying behaviour in the fashion landscape and with this comes a desire to be fed the correct information so they can make the decisions they want to and feel good about it. They have their bullsh*t goggles on, let’s say – and we’re here for it.

How this translates is different for every company implementing individual sustainable measures, but the end goal is the same – positive action and conscious decision making to better the planet and the people in it. So, let’s get into it.

What effects has the fashion landscape had on the planet?

We all know the fashion industry wreaks havoc on the environment. But how bad is it exactly?

The fashion industry produces 10% of all carbon emissions, is the second-largest consumer of the world’s water supply, and pollutes the oceans with microplastics.

It’s ‘complicated’ hardly begins to describe the relationship between mother nature and the fashion industry – but together, we can be game-changers and opt for opportunities that lead to long-term transformation, and there are many.


So, why is sustainable fashion important?

Here are our top 5 reasons:

1. Sustainable fashion creates less global waste (currently, one garbage truck of textile waste is dumped at a landfill or burnt every second)

2. It promotes fair wages and working conditions (fast fashion is a catalyst for harsh working conditions for garment workers)

3. It reduces CO2 & other greenhouse gasses emissions (translation: improved carbon footprint)

4. It saves water – and we mean A LOT of water(it takes 7,000 litres to make just 1 pair of jeans)

5. It saves animals' lives and thus, the survival of humanity on this planet.

With small steps, alongside a growing community of conscious consumers and brands, we can pave the way for a more sustainable fashion economy.Words by Helen Edgar.

Words by Helen Edgar.