PLANET
It is impossible to speak critically about the current fashion industry model without discussing environmentalist concerns. In the 1960s, the worldwide impact of production and consumption was brought to the attention of the general public thus starting a ‘responsible design movement’ (Gwilt, 2020). Gwilt argues that in order to successfully partake in the production of sustainable clothing, designers need to be indubitably aware of a garment’s life cycle; a lecture delivered by Katarina Rimarcikova stated that 85% of textiles are sent to landfill. This shows that it is not merely an issue of carefully considering the materials that a garment is made of, but also the intentions of consumers when purchasing clothing. Is it possible to meet the needs of the present without compromising those of the future (United Nations, 2023)? When the planet is in a “climate crisis ‘unequivocally’ caused by human activities”, and there is merely 12 years to limit catastrophe (UN IPCC Report, 2021), fast action is necessary.
The United Nations has outlined 17 Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 that aim to bring attention to the major issues causing climate crisis. In terms of fashion sustainability, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production is the most relevant. The relationship between garment producer and garment consumer is vital, as worldwide change can’t be achieved without ‘small yet impactful adjustments’ from all participants (Moran, 2022). As technology gets more advanced, so can the methods of production used to create clothing. Harnessing new and innovative processes can be the kick-starter to tackling waste, for example upcycling or using less chemically heavy and energy intensive materials. The present is becoming an epoch of change, and in a world where one wash load of polyester clothing can release 700,000 microplastic fibres into the environment (Katarina Rimarcikova, 2023), it is imperative that less is consumed.
The goal of a circular economy is to have materials never become waste as they are always recycled and regenerated, with some examples being second-hand clothing businesses thredUP and Vinted. These platforms aim to guide consumers into buying responsibly – this means buying less and considering purchases much more meticulously. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation describes CE as “a systemic shift that builds long-term resilience… and provides environmental and societal benefits” (Gwilt, 2020). Currently 95% of discarded clothing can be recycled, but only 1% is (Katarina Rimarcikova, 2023); a circular economy is the way to ensure that this percentage significantly increases thus decreasing the number of textiles, chemicals and plastics that end up as waste.