Harvesting and Stitching Together: An Overview
In the fast-paced world of fashion, there is a growing movement towards sustainability that goes beyond just eco-friendly textiles and recycled fabrics. This movement is rooted in social justice and economic opportunities for low-income communities, promoting a bottom-up approach to sustainable fashion.
In Bangladesh, the clothing industry causes deadly air and water pollution, degrading fisheries and agricultural land, and threatening lives. On the other side of the globe, in Indonesia, deforestation by the viscose rayon and palm oil industries are causing massive wildfires, displacing people and causing premature deaths due to air pollution. These stark realities highlight the urgent need for change.
Enter innovative models of sustainable fashion that prioritize social justice and economic opportunities. These models typically involve ethically rooted collaborations, circular business approaches, and empowerment initiatives directly engaging marginalized groups.
Designer-led social impact collaborations, like those spearheaded by Andi Sklar, link collections to specific social causes, such as supporting refugee women artisans or funding access to clean water. These collaborations emphasize ethical sourcing by working directly with artisans, ensuring fair wages, safe conditions, and cultural respect.
Circular and inclusive business models, such as take-back and resale programs, repair services, rental/subscription models, and upcycling initiatives, extend garment life and reduce waste. Local production, when feasible, supports local economies and reduces emissions.
Organizations like the Afro Fashion Association support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) designers through mentorship, community support, and capacity building, fostering sustainable fashion entrepreneurship rooted in cultural storytelling.
Community education and upcycling initiatives, like textile upcycling programs, create skill-building and entrepreneurial opportunities within low-income communities, promoting textile circularity, creativity, and economic self-sufficiency.
Grassroots awareness efforts, like Fashion Revolution’s "Who Made My Clothes?" campaign, empower consumers and communities to demand accountability from brands, contributing to dismantling exploitative systems.
In the United States, the situation is not much better. Economic development for the poor and working class stalled out decades ago, not coincidentally, when we outsourced the making of our stuff to more vulnerable populations. Mary Alice Duff, based in Philadelphia, creates a made-to-order, size-inclusive clothing line using sustainable materials and providing living-wage jobs.
Major brands, including UNIQLO, Zara, H&M, Gucci, and others, are making strides by getting rid of single-use plastics and using more recycled, non-toxic, and organic fabrics. However, the clothing industry is estimated to emit more CO2 every year than all international flights.
To address this, cities need to make bigger investments in ethical garment manufacturing, including skills training, dedicated manufacturing space, and consumer education about the importance of supporting local and ethical manufacturing. Ngozi Okaro, executive director of Custom Collaborative, believes that worker cooperatives can thrive with proper support and are "imminently scalable."
Sustainable fashion should be built with the purpose of maintaining creativity, beauty, and social mobility, and should prioritize the needs of the populations that need it the most. For many Americans, buying apparel falls somewhere between an afterthought and an addiction. True sustainability would feel less elusive.
In conclusion, the future of fashion lies in a bottom-up approach that prioritizes social justice, economic opportunities, and environmental sustainability. By supporting ethical fashion, consumers can contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world.
[1] Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferkho/2021/03/23/designers-are-using-their-platforms-to-raise-awareness-and-funds-for-social-issues-heres-how-to-support-them/?sh=7b1ce60975a4 [2] Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2021/mar/23/the-circular-fashion-system-is-the-key-to-a-sustainable-future [3] Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/23/fashion/black-designers-fashion-week.html [4] Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/23/fashion/upcycling-fashion.html [5] Source: https://www.fashionrevolution.org/campaigns/whomademyclothes/
- The frontline of sustainable fashion goes beyond eco-friendly textiles, venturing into social justice and economic opportunities for marginalized communities.
- Deadly pollution in the Bangladesh clothing industry threatens both the natural world and human lives, whereas Indonesian deforestation for viscose rayon and palm oil industries cause wildfires and premature deaths.
- Innovative models prioritize social justice, employing ethical sourcing, circular business approaches, and empowerment initiatives with artisans.
- Designer collaborations, like those spearheaded by Andi Sklar, connect collections to specific social causes, supporting refugee women artisans or funding clean water access.
- Circular and inclusive business models, such as resale programs, repair services, rental/subscription models, and upcycling initiatives, help extend garment life and reduce waste.
- Organizations like the Afro Fashion Association support BIPOC designers by providing mentorship, community support, and capacity building for sustainable fashion entrepreneurship.
- Community education and upcycling initiatives create skill-building and entrepreneurial opportunities within low-income communities, promoting textile circularity, creativity, and economic self-sufficiency.
- Grassroots campaigns, like Fashion Revolution’s "Who Made My Clothes?" empower consumers and communities to demand accountability from brands, working towards dismantling exploitative systems.
