Planet
When people think of the fashion industry, many times the extravagant and beautiful clothes immediately come to mind, but the content behind these phenomena is also worth paying attention to. One of the important considerations is sustainability in fashion industry. To obtain a sustainable fashion ecosystem, “4 Pillars” has been introduced. There are 4 aspects to analyze whether a company or brand is sustainable—- Planet, People, Profit, and Purpose. Fashion has a shockingly negative impact on the environment and society. With a global value of more than 2.5 trillion USD and over 75 million employees, the fashion sector is an essential aspect of our economies. Clothing output more than quadrupled between 2000 and 2014, demonstrating the sector’s extraordinary rise over the last few decades. People bought 60% more clothing in 2014 than in 2000, yet they only wore them for half as long (McKinsey & Company, 2016).
The proposal of circular economy has become a driving force to solve some problems in the fashion industry. Circularity is often described as a system where all materials are infinitely recyclable or biodegradable (Gwilt, 2014). International collaboration is essential to encourage sustainable fashion since fashion value chains are worldwide and the industry has a substantial influence on the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal 12 of UN Sustainable Development, responsible consumption and production, is close attached to the fashion industry. The fashion industry is concerned with the use of natural resources, chemical waste, fossil fuels, and the integration of sustainable practices into the production cycles. SDG 12 in particular pledges to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. It is divided into eight targets. As a progressive luxury brand, Stella McCartney is a example that always looked to the future. “It’s a Start” is rated for the planet by Stella McCartney. Using environmentally friendly products like recycled polyester, organic cotton, and regenerated cashmere, the firm has established some good environmental standards. Additionally, it has a policy to stop deforestation across the supply chain.
Reference List:
Remy, Nathalie, et al. “Style That’s Sustainable: A New Fast-Fashion Formula.” McKinsey & Company, McKinsey & Company, 20 Oct. 2016, www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/our-insights/style-thats-sustainable-a-new-fast-fashion-formula.
Gwilt, A. (2014) A practical guide to sustainable fashion. London: Bloomsbury