Planet
It can be stated that the fashion industry stands as a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 10% of them (Oxfam, 2019). However, the business cannot advance until changes are made to promote sustainability (Moran, G. 2022). In the realm of fashion, sustainability is taking ownership of the products that are put on the market and raising awareness of issues such as water waste, air pollution, textile waste, working conditions, and deforestation.
Numerous fashion businesses have adopted new techniques for producing garments that are based on the circular economy theory, and this has led to an increase in the popularity of sustainability. According to the theory, industry circles need to be reconstructed, starting with phasing out materials that have a significantly adverse influence of the environment. The second is to maximise clothing utilisation, buyers are required to use the items they already own rather than making new purchases. Instead of following micro trends, this might be achieved by spending money on slower fashion, higher-quality clothing that would last a longer time, as well as building a capsule collection out of basic pieces. The theory also stresses the need for recycling to be drastically improved, which might apply to both producers and consumers. Customers might learn to repair damaged clothing, change out of style clothing, or upcycle their old clothes (Castro, O.D.2021). Clothing manufacturers should start just producing new items from recycled clothing or adopt new production techniques that use less water and don’t use microfibres, which are extremely harmful to the planet.
The United Nations’ 17 universal goals known as the sustainable development goals (SDGs) were put together with the intention of ending poverty and protecting the environment by the year 2030 (United nations, 2023). Responsible production and consumption are one important objective that, in the opinion of many, is most importsnt to the fashion sector. The fashion business is one of the most wasteful in the world due to overproduction (McKinsey & Company, 2023). One company that excellently embodies the goal of ending overproduction is Patrick McDowell (McDowell, P. 2018). Customers who buy from the brand also gain access to an aftercare programme in addition to the merchandise. For illustration, if a celebrity purchased a dress for an event, afterwards they could then take it to be altered into a wearable everyday item. This ensures the garment is being utilised rather than only being worn once. It is crucial that brands begin to adopt similar approaches to reach the SDGs within the set time period.
References
Castro, O.D. (2021) Loved clothes last how the joy of rewearing and repairing your clothes can be a revolutionary act. UK: Penguin Life.
McDowell,P.(2018) https://patrickmcdowell.co.uk/pages/sustainability
Moran, G. (2022) Drapers, Collaborating for Change: Sustainability Report 2022
Oxfam: New shocking facts about the impact of fast fashion on our climate (2019) https://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam-in-action/oxfam-blog/new-shocking-facts-about-the-impact-of-fast-fashion-on-our-climate/
The A to Z on gen Z (2013) McKinsey & Company.
United Nations. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The Sustainable Development Goals: Report 2023. UN;2023