It dawned on me last week at Cobbs Creek when our leader was trying to incorporate our majors that I have never blogged about sustainable fashion. I don't have any upcoming Philly happenings to add into this, but here is an example of a great past event we had here: http://www.greenfestphilly.org/. If you are still confused on what sustainable or 'green' fashion is, a quick google search brings up a bunch of definitions to help introduce you.
The idea really is a bit hypocritical-- to deem one of the quickest changing things in the world as sustainable. However, the fashion world has been exploring ways to join the green movement. They have attempted to make garments from found materials, (that is, materials that are typically not used to make clothes like newspaper and plastic) are exploring materials such as hemp and bamboo, reusing old garments, and using organic textiles.
I think the ultimate way for fashion to become 'green' is for people stop buying so many new items and starting shopping at thrift stores. Certainly, this approach is overly ambitious and would take away lots of future jobs I would like to have. I also find the push for organic textiles to be unnecessary. An attainable push would be towards wearing natural fibers over synthetic. (A lot of your clothing is synthetic!) This could greatly help to manage our footprint. I do also support new natural textiles such as bamboo. However, I can't imagine all new garments being chopped up and rebuilt from old ones. I'll resist the urge to tangentially discuss the need to preserve historic costume and therefore, not reuse lots of great old clothing.
What do you think? Does 'green' or sustainable fashion play a role in your life? Do you think this is a lasting approach or just merely a trend?
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I don't really think using different fabrics makes fashion sustainble. Surely it helps make less of an impact, and it is a step, but it is only less wasteful and not in any sense sustainable.
ReplyDeleteWhat does bamboo fabric feel like?
I like to think about this from a broader perspective. Does the fashion industry, by the nature of regular changes in fashion, promote excessive consumption? If the fashionable consumer feels that he/she needs to constantly purchase new shoes, clothes, accessories to keep up with fashion, is there any way that "sustainable fashion" could negate the effects of the pressures to consume? (You can tell I'm not a fashionista)
ReplyDeleteFashion is consumption. The only way to keep up with the times is to consume. The only way to learn to design is to create. For me, learning helps me to explore deep into fasion and therefore desire less 'stuff,' but for many, learning makes them want to have more. The fashion world would never sabotage themselves for the environment to the point of extinction, nor would people support it. Sadly, we all feel better when we get new things. These 'new things' are clothes for many people. Sustainable fashion in the sense of negating the pressure to cosume wouldn't be fashion, it would be the death of fashion.
ReplyDeleteAnd also, bamboo feels awesome. It's real breathable and pulls sweat away from the body. It's soft and makes for great activewear. However, the chemicals used to convert the bamboo into a textile are not healthy or 'sustainable.'