Sustainability comes in many forms, and in the case of fashion this is applicable at all stages of the product lifestyle. From the initial design, right through to the afterlife of a product, we as consumers hold significant power when it comes to decision making and the ethical considerations of where we source our clothing.
The Ethical Fashion Forum shared 10 criteria for what delineates “ethical fashion”, and for me these were imperative when considering the long-term future of the fashion industry. They included:
Barbara I Gongini sum this up beautifully, stating that “sustainable fashion means to create clothes, shoes, accessories and other textiles without damaging the environment with all its components or affecting people’s lives” (2017). Fair trade is one area that is of particular importance when considering sustainability, and from the point of view of a consumer, is sometimes overlooked. When was the last time you considered the working conditions or wages of the person who made t-shirt you bought? I know in my case this is something I am guilty of too, and, admittedly, more often than not give little to no consideration to the matter. Perhaps it is easier to make consumer choices about the fabric quality and brand reputation as this is something more tangible that we as shoppers can grapple with. Or, perhaps there’s just so little awareness about where our clothing comes from that this very important consideration is unheeded. As Dissanayake, Perera & Wanniarachchi (2017) explain, “globally, the green movement and fair labour movement are steadily getting momentum. Consumers are increasingly demanding products that are ethically made and environmentally safe”. Not only this, but fair trade represents so much more than environmental sustainability. “Community improvement, women empowerment and mitigation of environmental impact of the production process are some of the key aspects of fair trade” as well as supporting “farmers and craftsmen who are socially and economically marginalized” (Dissanayake, Perera & Wanniarachchi, 2017). Often, shopping with fair trade brands involves a slightly more expensive initial outlay of money. But at the price of a little extra now, you can be guaranteed a product that will not only last years, but has been manufactured ethically, and has helped “create sustainable livelihoods, safer working conditions, and desperately-needed transparency in the fashion industry” Check out brands that and retailers that offer fair trade certified products here. It’s a worthwhile investment.
1 Comment
1/2/2023 10:18:12 pm
Thanks for sharing your ideas and thoughts! Our delivery initiatives focus on reducing our impacts through using recycled and recyclable materials in our packaging and we are proud of our easy to access recycling collection policy for our customers in Kuwait.
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AuthorFourth year Communications and Media student with a passion for sustainability and an addiction to op-shopping. ArchivesCategories |