BLOG: 2 Themes
Through reflecting upon the lectures I was able to gain a better understanding into the importance of the three main themes of this unit, sustainability, diversity, and social responsibility. I was also able to analyse the importance of these issues within modern society and how these points specifically relate to the fashion industry. Considering all practices in regard to the garment process, from initial ideas to the hand of the consumer : design, construction, production, distribution and marketing are all areas in which these themes can be considered and implemented. I found it important viewing how others are considering these themes in their work and businesses, and reviewing how I will be able to approach more ethical ways of working in the future.
All three themes are vital in securing a more sustainable, ethical and diverse future within the fashion industry. However it would appear that many of the world’s leading fashion houses and largest highstreet brands, are making very little effort to change their often harmful ways. In 2020 these three concepts are talked about a lot within mass media, with groups such as H&M producing transparency reports and sustainability pledges, we do see some companies making positive changes. However we have to look at societal structure and the industry as a whole to determine what can be done and who has to change their ways to make a true difference.
Through researching the themes of social responsibility and sustainability I was interested to learn that the fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water worldwide (UNECE), and the textile dyeing industry being the second-largest polluter of water, second to the oil industry. (UNEP). Aftering the concerning connotations of these statistics we are led to question who is behind the problem of these issues. While often many companies take the blame for unethical garment manufacturing, and in many cases rightly so, we have to consider the bigger picture – who is buying these clothes? And are they aware of the consequences?
As an ever growing industry, we see people buying more and more – specifically buying 60% more garments in 2014 than in 2000, just to keep them only half as long. (McKinsey & Company) With trends suggesting this increase will not stop anytime soon we see a greater need to lessen the 85% of textiles going into landfills each year. (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), World Resources Institute (WRI)).
This chicken and egg situation of consumer demand to produce higher volumes of lower cost garments, pushes brands to supply for this demand. However without demand there will be no supply, the phrase “supply and demand” remains true. This is where we need to see a shift in consumer attitudes towards making more mindful and ethical consumption of fashion, buying from brands whose core values are focused around socially responsible ethics and sustainable processes.
In fairness we all need to do our part, no total blame can be placed on one party. For my personal journey towards a more sustainable and socially responsible future I want to reeducate myself, focusing more on what me and the people around me can do to make a positive change. Moreover, I hope to implement these changes within my everyday life, work and mindset, being more conscious of purchasing decisions and choosing more environmentally-friendly, sustainable materials to work with when making and designing my own clothes. The change of the future industry begins with everyone changing their mind-set and taking their consumer power to demand this positive change.