Melissa Mitic

The pillar people has the focus of emphasising how the mindset of society has the main impact on the industry, and to prioritise implementation of key values from the Inner Development Goals (IDGs). Fisher (2021) stated that “10% of the profits is good for morale and for people feeling like they’re really part of this company” showing that companies strive during satisfaction and security of their employees. Moreover, companies look for personnel which have a broad range of skills to offer to the company as “90% of fashion executives have projected a skills shortage in their organisation” (BOF, 2023).

The Inner Development Goals (IDGs) highlight key people skills needed for a fashion brand to be successful. There are 23 skills categorised into 5 sections; being- relationship to self, thinking- cognitive skills, relating- caring for others and the world, collaborating- social skills, acting- driving change. Examples of the skills are inner compass, humility and critical thinking.

Gen Z (1995-2010) have an advantage towards technology as they have lived alongside and consumed the internet since the earliest ages, these advantages have created a demographic who understand how to collect information from a variety of sources and comfortably amalgamate virtual and offline affairs (Francis & Hoefel, 2018). Gen Z also show behaviours which can be categorised as “realistic” and “communaholic”, communicating specifically through technology and social media. As they are a growing market share brands have recognised this as well as their preferences, prioritising social responsibility and inclusivity. “Close to 40 percent of Gen-Z consumers prefer gender-neutral beauty products, compared to around 30 percent of older generations” (BOF, 2023), therefore brands are firm on creating products and marketing stands reflecting their values ranging from topics of mental health to sustainability. H&M have leant towards digital routes and are understanding the importance of e-commerce, aligning themselves with the values of the new generations. Since 92% of Gen Z & Millennials use mobile apps for shopping and result to digital means for sourcing fashion (Drapers, 2023).

 Ricee (2022) identified 4 different diversity types consisting of internal, external, organisational and world view. Internal diversity types are innate, unchangeable in most cases. Examples being sexual appearance and physical ability. External diversity types refer to factors which can be influenced but not born with the person), examples being interests, appearance etc.. Organisational diversity regards how it acts as a merit in the workplace, examples- job function, and union affiliation. Lastly, world views, this type of diversity are the components that influence us from around. Our political beliefs and agendas, due to how we travel and embrace our culture and the knowledge we withhold.

References:

R, Judith. 2022. Pillars of Sustainable Fashion. Available at:https://www.thesewingroomalameda.com/fashion-studies-blog/2022/7/15/pillars-of-sustainable-fashion?format=amp (Accessed: 14 October 2023).

S, Ricee. 2023. All Types of Diversity with Examples. Available at: https://diversity.social/workplace-diversity-types/(Accessed: 14 October 2023).

E, Fisher. (2020). Interview with Eileen Fisher. Interviewed by H Draznin for CNN Business, 6 January.

Inner Development Goals (2021). Available at: Inner Development Goals film_EngSubs (Downloaded: 13 October 2023).

Francis, T . (2018) ‘’True Gen’: Generation Z and its Implications for Companies’, McKinsey & Company (November 2018). Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/true-gen-generation-z-and-its-implications-for-companies (Accessed: 14 October 2021).

Howland, R. (2019) ‘H&M is Ready for Gen Z’, RetailDive (April 2019). Available at: https://www.retaildive.com/news/hm-is-ready-for-gen-z/552826/ (Accessed: 14 October 2023).

Moran, G. (2023) Drapers. ‘Gen Z and Millennials 2023 Report’. Available at: https://www.drapersonline.com/insight/drapers-bespoke/gen-z-and-millennials-2023-report ( Accessed: 13 October 2023).

BoF, McKinsey & Company. ‘How to Decode Gen-Zs Evolving Relationship With Beauty’. Available at:https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/beauty/the-state-of-fashion-beauty-report-gen-z-diversity-consumer-behaviour-trends/#:~:text=Even%20as%20they%20desire%20to,generations%2C%20the%20survey%20also%20found.(Accessed: 14 October 2023).

Image Illustration:

Inner Development Goals (IDG) Available at: https://mikehohnen.com/inner-development-goals/ (Accessed: 14 October 2023).

The pillar planet has the aim of reinforcing sustainability within the fashion industry for the protection of the environment. Sustainable practices are vital to minimise the destructive impacts the industry imposes on the planet which include the emission of greenhouse gasses, water pollution and deforestation. Processes including reuse of products and recycling and crucial to deter the direction of the climate crisis, as the fashion sector are responsible for 8-10% of humanity carbon emissions and are a major contributor to world pollution and climate change. Textile production alone produces 1.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum when 85% of textiles are sent to landfills. Meaning in order to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint fashion would need to cut down greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.

The circular economy is an economic system which is based on the regeneration and reuse of materials and products and continuing the production for the industry through sustainable means. The system uses the “reduce, reuse, recycle” approach has the aim to completely eliminate waste, favouring activities that promote preservation of energy, labour and materials. Meaning to design for durability, reuse and recycling to keep the products created and the materials used to circulate in the economy. Which is the ideal solution for the impacts of the fashion industry as new trends, especially popular with younger generations, and the media help support this system as there is a rise in purchasing preloved items and is easy to do so through mobile apps such as Depop and Vinted, as maintaining circular practices has a great reliance on the way society chooses to perform as well as changes in regulation.

Pushing forward the importance of The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and stating that how the fashion industry currently operates is not sustainable and requires significant change. An SDG that resonates with the pillar-Planet is SDG13 Climate Action, as it “emphasises that deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are essential in all sectors” and exclaims that urgent, transformative action is crucial, showing the trend of the increasing global sea level in millimetres and that the $100-billion-a-year climate finance goal by developed countries has yet to be met. Which the goals’ purpose is for the increasing mitigation actions in infrastructure and transportation reaching a total of $83.3 billion but still shy of the target (according to a recent UNFCCC analysis). Therefore, the DDG13 prevails the fashion industry and aligns its objectives the the pillar planet to reinforce sustainability.

References:

MacArthur, E., 2017. Circular Economy. Dostupno na: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation,org/circular-economy/what-is-the-circulareconomy. 2017.

United Nations. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The Sustainable Development Goals: Report 2023. UN;2023

Pereira L, Carvalho R, Dias Á, Costa R, António N. How does sustainablity affect consumer choices in the fashion industry”?. Resources. 2021 Apr 19;10(4):38