Fashion Sustainability
Before I dive into the logistics of Fashion Sustainability, it is incredibly important to define what fashion is and how it used in society. This definition has to consider dimensions for both production and consumption.
Fashion is a production of symbol and material in order to create self-expression. Over the years, fashion has become a huge signal for our culture and gender identity with an increase on material culture. The sudden materialistic culture has been influenced by the overwhelming material consumption of the fashion industry which is having a huge impact on global sustainability
As a multi-trillion dollar global industry which has been proven as a pathway for economic development, as a fundamental part of global history. Unfortunately this is often at the expense of workers' health and safety.
But... Mackenzie, what does this have to do with your own design field? Well that is an excellent question. First of all, fashion is ultimately a tool for self-expression, something that architecture has the potential to do. And while fashion is such a large industry the truth is so is architectural design. These two industries are our history and our future so understanding fashion design and how to improve its sustainability, I truly believe is a key component to understanding and developing significant change into the architecture industry.
Fibre and textile production Labour Issues
80-1509 billion garments manufactured globally/annum
60 million garment workers globally
Codes of conduct ethical clothing with Oxfam
80% clothing sold in Australia made offshore
Ultimately, the aim was to ensure a greater amount of brand and consumer scrutiny into the fashion industry. Successful according to a 2013 survey in which 12,500 consumers across 16 countries participated, in which it was discovered that 73% of consumers were willing to pay more for ethically produced clothing.
ROLE OF THE DESIGNER
Redesigning existing systems with low impact materials
Designing new products and services in place of the old
Designing new production to consumption systems
Creating new scenarios for sustainable life
DESIGN INTERVENTION
Within the fashion industry there are so many design interventions to minimise unsustainable practices. These include the mushrooming of hundreds of certifications and organisations that aim to reduce malpractice in the industry, of which 50 global retailers are connected to 590 sustainability initiatives and non-governmental organisations.
In fashion design specifically the strategies to intervening on design practices are as follows
Design to minimise waste
design for recycling
Designing to reducing chemical impacts
Designing to reduce energy and water use
Design that explores clean/better technologies
RELATION TO ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
Both are based on structure, shape and prettying basic necessities - clothing and shelter, and while design is a part of everyones daily life, fashion and architecture have, what I consider that most equal impact.
Homes and buildings are selected after considering many, many options whether that be an apartment, single family or mansion, we can spend months selecting one that reflects our personal needs and wants. Fashion, is the same. We would spend the same amount of time selecting our fashion style.
Of course, that is a very external view of design from the consumers perspective. From an intrinsic design aspect, the two are interconnected through a vary of different topics. Process of design, Materials and Quality of Construction are described in detail below, however the connection also includes proportion, accessories, environment and context, style, and timeliness.
