Ecodesign
To create a sustainable garment we have to start from its design. Designs thought taking into account 3 keys:
- Zero Waste philosophy: design and composition of patterns to make the most of the fabric, avoiding waste. Or recovery of old garments that increase their value through upcycling.
- Cradle to Cradle philosophy: choice of fabrics thinking not only of reducing their negative impact, but also of providing a positive impact. Organic fabrics, compostable, reused or created from waste but always monomaterial to facilitate recycling. To date, there is no process that allows recycling mixed fibers such as cotton or polyester. Timeless and quality designs that stay away from passing trends and last much longer. Something that is not incompatible with innovation, creativity, personality and your own style. Indeed, sustainable fashion is at the forefront of innovation with the development of new fabrics.
- Manufacturing: that cotton hoodie we talked about started coming to life through a simple sprouted seed. Then it has come a long way to reach your hands.
Craftsmanship & Artisan Fashion
It is a concept that encompasses several themes, eco-friendly, ethical fashion, slow fashion, but it is not limited only to these terms, it is related to eco-friendly fashion, because when selecting materials you are aware that are friendly to the environment. It is related to slow fashion because it seeks a sustainable design and development that seeks in a responsible and committed way to minimize the impact of materials and how they are obtained. Organic and natural components and elements are used. It is planned in order to ration materials, for the production of textile fibers and all the environmental care. It is also closely related to ethical fashion, because it cares for the environment, people and economic conditions. But it goes further, its meaning is broader and deeper.
Artisan fashion expresses a living contact with the creative process, manual work and all the people who work in it. It is a subject that is far removed from fast fashion and is considered the mother of haute couture. It expresses a different way of making fashion, which translates into something specific, a legacy, tradition, culture, and above all, that each garment is made in a unique way. The artisanal is that where we can find art, it implies the desire of each artist or designer, that others can know, recognize and appreciate their art. Artisan fashion has had to evolve, in order to offer customers quality and creative products, to compete with industrial garments.
Will we save the planet with a sustainable and circular fashion system?
Without giving a first direct answer to this question, what we can confirm is that this new system of the textile and fashion industry is a new way, an authentic and direct formula to reconcile the passion for fashion with sustainability.
Until not long ago, sustainability was not relevant for consumers when making a purchase decision about a fashion item and therefore was not taken into consideration by the textile industry or brands. This situation has changed, with the evolution of new generations of conscious consumers, who focus on sustainable fashion and circular fashion . The new generations make purchasing decisions considering the environment and have internalized the need to care for and preserve the planet.
Sustainable fashion and circular fashion have spawned more ethical brands
The new shopping habits of conscious consumers and their focus on the circular economy have generated a new generation of sustainable , ethical or ecological clothing brands that are beginning to compete within the fashion market in a very powerful way, with the engine of new values and authenticity as a flag.
This is how a concept appears that until very recently was relatively unknown but now, especially this last year, is mentioned with increasing frequency in the industry, the sector appears to be the role model: the circular fashion.
As we defined in the previous article, a deeply rooted concept generated from the circular economy model. A design, production and recycling system devised to minimize waste and make the most of resources, which challenges the linear production line of fashion and which aims to banish the landfill or incinerator as the final destination of used clothing and footwear.
Circular fashion contains sustainable fashion
Sustainable fashion is circular fashion-gabrielfariasiribarren.com Going into the definitions and characteristics, circular fashion is a broader concept than sustainable fashion , since circular fashion combines the principles of sustainability and circularity. And its scope covers not only fashion itself - fashion style - but also sportswear and everyday wear.
Thus we come to the conclusion that we can define as circular fashion or circular product clothing, footwear and accessories designed, obtained, produced and provided with the intention of being used and distributed responsibly and effectively in society for the longest time. possible in its most valuable form and thereafter, when human use is no longer contemplated, at the end of its useful life, to return safely to the biosphere.
Circular fashion meets the concept of cyclicality
The circulating fashion show us that every part of the life of a garment is cyclic: designing the piece begins with the dual purpose of providing it with longevity and atemporalidad; then the proper selection of materials is continued, focusing on whether or not they are sustainable, before the article is manufactured. In addition, a fair and ethical production is sought, which respects the rights of workers.
Once the item has been worn and even damaged from use, it must be repaired or redesigned. And finally, instead of being stored and forgotten in a drawer, the possibility of exchanging it, selling it as second-hand, renting it, donating it or, ultimately, delivering it for recycling is contemplated.
Textile industry, sustainable fashion and circular fashion
The fashion industry is forced to come up with new ways of doing business. You cannot pretend to be competitive and win in the future with a model from the past. The future we envision for fashion is circular. It cannot be otherwise and success will not be achieved by any other way.
Right now, brands in general and sustainable fashion brands are working on new strategies and disruptive models to be more circular as a company. This generates a lot of enthusiasm in the sector and provides the opportunity to be much more creative. Currently, the fashion system is linear, so it needs a radical transformation: we must work together, as an industry with high levels of commitment and innovation, and challenge the status quo.
We need to evolve not only to reduce the impact of fashion on the environment but to go further and generate a positive impact. That goal is only possible if we work together. It is a rigorous reinvention of the typical production process into a virtuous cycle. It is not only about using sustainable materials to create sustainable clothing collections, but also working with different specialized organizations, with specific objectives and that play an active role. It is a new and different way of operating and processing. The goal is to achieve a production cycle instead of a production line.