Fashion Speaks In Sustainable Terms
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
Now that the changing landscape of our environment has finally taken on a new yet bittersweet reality, many consumers are opting for a more sustainable future. One industry discovering all kinds of creative ways to go sustainable these days is the fashion industry.
Designers and Fashion Houses alike are taking on leading roles in driving towards eco-friendly fashion. In 2018, Ethical Consumer found that 34% of the age group of 18-24 year olds and 29% of the age group of 25-34 year olds were less likely to buy goods that had a negative effect on the environment. Consumers purchasing ethical clothing increased in 2018 by 19.9%. London Fashion Week dropped a bombshell in September of 2018 when they announced that their fashion week would be fur-free. That announcement set the wheels in motion and while many renowned designers have moved in this environment-friendly direction of design for some time now, others needed that small push to head in the right direction.
Stella McCartney has successfully been in the business since the 1990’s and she has been passionate about saving the environment and adhering to a policy of cruelty-free – no fur, no leather, opting for reengineered cashmere and ethically-sourced wool, organic cotton and recycled textiles. McCartney is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative and the founder of Clevercare, helping consumers care for their clothing through mindful garment care.
Rag & Bone has redefined the true meaning of style. The best words to describe the brand are sustainable luxury meets All-American. Although the brand is best known for its denim collections, it has branched out into casual-wear. A few years back, Rag & Bone introduced its shoppers to a denim recycling program which has revolutionized the way we view denim. The brand partners with ‘Cotton Incorporated Blue Jeans Go Green’, a program encouraging customers to bring their old jeans to stores for recycling. The jeans are then transformed into insulation for homes.
A designer who has always had a deep and abiding respect for the environment is Mara Hoffman. Mara is eco-conscious in every aspect of her daily life. Her brand uses sustainable means for shipping, packaging and branding. Responsible production and human rights standards are of the utmost importance to Mara as a designer and role model for the industry. From her swimwear line to her ready-to-wear collections, Mara uses regenerated nylon fiber made from waste, polyester fiber from recycled plastic, hemp, organic cotton, linen, ethical alpaca wool and fibrous plant-based materials.
Eileen Fisher brings clothing to life, using neutrals to tell a story. She created her own signature fabric of Silk Georgette Crepe. A refined and relaxed textile, it is dyed without hazardous chemicals in the world’s only dye house to produce bluesign® certified silks. Eileen takes it one step further. She has supported and partnered with environmental conservation initiatives, supports artisans and believes in empowering women via the Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Even the everyday brands seen in malls or brick-and-mortar standalone buildings or shopped online are deciding that the fate of theenvironment is in our hands. We must make a change before it is too late. Everlane, known for women’s and men’s apparel, accessories and shoes, builds strong relationships with factory owners to maintain ethical production practices. Another clothing brand favorite is ABLE. This retailer believes in creating economic opportunities for all, especially women. Their clothing is in high demand, made all over the world by women that have overcome the odds, experiencing tough circumstances to get where they are today, but, finally getting paid well for their hard work. One of the top retailers in the fashion business today is H&M. With so many looks to choose from at such reasonable prices, all generations enjoy shopping at H&M. There is mass appeal for their Conscious Collection which boasts soft knits, gorgeous v-neck tunics and jeans. All pieces are organic and sustainable.
With so many ways to shop these days, one of the best ways to make sure you purchase sustainable, ethical and environmentally friendly is to download the app ‘Good on You’. All you need is a mobile device to become informed on making smart fashion choices. The app connects concerned shoppers with the brands doing the most to be ethical, sustainable and implement fair practices from start to finish. The goal is to educate and make sure that shoppers have a positive impact by reducing waste and pollution, while empowering garment workers and protecting animals. ‘Good on You’ is proud to partner with over 70 ethical and sustainable brands to help you discover the best clothing labels to buy worldwide.
As you may have surmised by now, the push is on to achieve a more sustainable future, with so many in the fashion industry leading the way. More and more designers and popular retailers jump on the bandwagon each year, pointing us in a better direction to save the planet and isn’t that what it is all about?
Photo Credits: Good On You, Go Green and TrustedClothes.com.
