Planet
The production, use and disposal of fashion clothing have wide-ranging impacts on the environment, economy and society, and there has been significant growth in mass-produced fashion as consumers purchase fashion goods without restraint(Gwilt, 2020). It is precisely because of concerns about the impact and destruction of large-scale production and preferential clothing prices on society that since the 1960s, people have gradually begun to pay attention to finding more environmentally friendly production and consumption methods, and began to propose “sustainable development” this new concept(Gwilt, 2020).
For the fashion industry, responsible consumption and production among the 17 2030 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations are closely related to it(United Nation, ed), because it just reflects the excessive consumption of fashion by consumers and excessive production by manufacturers in the current society. In order to gain more profits quickly, one party mass-produces some low-quality but cheap ready-made clothes, resulting in a short life cycle of the product. Sustainable development requires the industry to be responsible for the production of its own products. In response, Jean-Noel Kapferer, an authority on luxury goods management, pointed out that products in the luxury goods industry must ensure high-quality production, and strive to add brand value on this basis. Let consumers think carefully before making a decision when faced with high prices(Olga, 2023).
The other side is obsessed with buying cheap and throwing it away after a short period of time. While such wasteful manufacturing methods are a major contributor to the vast amounts of textile waste, premature disposal of fully functional garments and consumers’ lack of repair and alteration skills are also one of the factor(Gwilt, 2020). According to an analysis of a pair of hand-woven cotton work pants from the 18th century in the Costume Collection of the University of Rhode Island. Most people at that time only bought a small amount of clothing for themselves. According to the changing trends of fashion, women would self-modification of clothing and repeated repairs have achieved the purpose of extending the service life of clothing (Janet&Connie,2015).
At the same time, more and more designers are beginning to follow the concept of sustainable development from all aspects of fibers, fabrics and production methods to make more environmentally friendly and ethical improvements. In order to cooperate, Katharine Hamnett launched her own brand, committed to fulfilling the principles of “sustainable development”, complying with REACH dyeing and water treatment standards, and making more environmentally friendly clothing(Gwilt, 2020).