Hello, Darlings!
Welcome back, and welcome to another blog from the Future of Fashion, a place where we can magically impact the future of fashion, beauty and creativity for all living creatures.
In recent years, the fashion industry has undergone a significant transformation with more consumers becoming conscious of the impact their choices have on life on this planet and the planet itself. Therefore, the terms “Ethical Fashion” and “Sustainable Fashion” have become widely used buzzwords. Whilst they are often used interchangeably, they represent very different aspects of socially responsible fashion. In this blog, we will explore the differences between “Ethical” and “Sustainable” fashion and why distinguishing them is important for informed consumer choices.
Defining Ethical Fashion
Ethical fashion primarily focuses on the human aspect of the fashion industry. It is concerned with the fair treatment of the people involved in making the garments, from those involved in creating fabrics, dyeing, and making garments, to those people finishing and packing garments.
Some of the key principles are:
Fair Wages And Working Conditions: Ethical fashion brands ensure that their workers receive fair payment and work in safe, humane conditions.
Community Impact: Brands and businesses who distinguish themselves as ethical will support local communities by preserving local traditional craftsmanship offering employment opportunities and empowering communities. A great example is my favourite, STELAR, which works with Balinese communities to weave beautiful bags and accessories, thus empowering the communities, and providing employment while preserving a valuable craft and tradition.
Transparency: Ethical brands strive for transparency in their supply chains, allowing consumers to know how and where their clothes are made.
There have been several human rights violations, which have been a huge cause for concern, especially the Rana Plaza incident in Dhaka in 2013. Where an eight-storey building collapsed, due to structural failure, killing 1134 people and seriously injuring many more. This is considered the most deadly industrial accident in the history of Bangladesh. Amnesty International called this “The most shocking recent example of business-related human rights abuse”. The collapse of Rana Plaza caused a major shift in the Bangladesh garment industry. There were many protests and global outrage that lives could be wasted so carelessly. Safety measures were immediately implemented to inspect buildings and ensure the safety of the workers employed there. This case highlights the critical importance of ethical practices in the fashion industry. Sadly, cases of human rights violations can be hidden from the consumers’ view. It is easy to not be aware of ethical considerations when buying not only cheap fashion, but also luxury (consider the Dior sweatshop scandal). Remember, if something is very cheap, it is likely that someone else is paying.
Defining Sustainable Fashion
Sustainable fashion focuses on the environmental impact and seeks to minimise the ecological footprint of clothing production.
Key principles include:
Eco-Friendly Materials: Sustainable brands and businesses prioritise the use of organic, recycled or regenerative materials. Those that have a lower environmental impact.
Resource Efficiency: The implementation of practices to reduce energy and water consumption, minimise waste, use safe chemicals and decrease carbon emissions.
Circular Economy: Sustainable fashion encourages recycling, upcycling and designing for longevity to reduce the need for new resources.
Sustainable fashion has increased in both awareness and presence in the industry. We are very used to organic cotton and recycled polyester in our clothing. These steps forward are very positive, yet sustainable materials are often considered expensive and unnecessary. The lack of restrictions towards oil-based materials leaves the planet with huge waste issues, massively impacting oceans, land environments and living creatures. Future legislation will limit the use of polluting materials further. As consumers, we need to consider the impact of the fashion we buy and wear to ensure they are not just thrown away and continue to impact the planet and its precious creatures.
While both ethical and sustainable fashion align with creating the future of fashion as a powerful force for good in the world and for responsible consumption, they both tackle this from differing concerns. Ethical fashion places human life at the forefront, while sustainable fashion focuses on environmental stewardship and reducing ecological harm. Ultimately, both concerns really matter for the future of the industry and driving its integrity and impact on the planet’s future, as well as the quality of life within. As consumers and fashion professionals, we have a responsibility to what we are involved in producing and consuming. In summary, everything we do has an impact on the future of life on this planet.
As always, have fun, love life, and enjoy fashion.
Kate xx