PTo embrace change you need to be prepared. The big fashion revolution of our time will, without a doubt, be theenvironmental commitment. A new way of understanding and producing garments that does not damage the environment and workers in the sector. The deep meaning from the sustainable fashionhowever, goes beyond simple declarations of intent and the abuse of the adjective green. There are definitions and processing techniques you need to know in order to make truly sustainable shopping.
Natural fibres, greenwashing, slow fashion: the meaning of sustainable fashion through the terms that define it. In this short dictionary.
Sustainable fashion meaning: eco-friendly or greenwashing?
There are many companies that define themselves eco-friendlyliterally friendly towards the environment. A label that should indicate a certain respect for nature, expressed through the use of recycled or regenerated fabrics, limiting waste. However, being a highly coveted and appreciated title these days, it is easy for many brands to be guilty of it greenwashing. That is, they make false, unclear or misleading statements about their actual environmental commitment. Brands that perhaps only use a very low percentage of recycled materials are defined as sustainable: you need to be careful and read the composition labels of the garments carefully.
Pay attention to the fabrics
It is the fabrics and materials used in production that make the difference for sustainable fashion. We must first draw a difference between fabrics recycled And regenerated. The former come from the destruction of other products and substances, transformed to become new materials and objects, similar to the original ones. In the second case, however, waste and scraps (as well as items from old collections) are used to create new products. In this sense, regeneration is a more valuable and less harmful process for the environment. It often happens that we see this practice described in English, through words recycling And upcyclingwhich correspond precisely to the translations of recycled and regenerated.
The costumes of the independent brand Forest Party they are made with ECONYL® yarn, a 100% regenerated nylon fiber made from nylon waste
Very often regeneration has to do with tissues deadstock. These are unsold stocks or leftover materials from previous productions, within textile factories and clothing brands. Rather than going to waste or being incinerated, these fabrics, which can include cotton or polyester, are recovered by other companies who use them for their own collections. To be truly sustainable, however, it would be better to choose only natural fibres. Cotton, linen And wool they are textures of vegetal or animal origin, already more sustainable than synthetic ones. If these materials are also organic This means they have not been treated with chemical additives or pesticides.
Garbage Core is a Milanese brand that starts from recycled fabrics, second-hand clothes and deadstock materials for its production, with particular attention to natural fibers
Circularity and traceability
The ultimate goal of the commitment green it is to radically change the way we see and experience fashion. What we must aspire to is thecircular economy. Which in practice means reducing waste, therefore pollution; extend the life of products and regenerate natural systems. A garment, which must be of high quality and respectful of the environment, will thus have a much longer life, reducing unnecessary purchases and continuous waste. The circular economy therefore goes hand in hand with the slow fashionin stark contrast to fast fashion to which we are accustomed, which produces at a frenetic and unsustainable pace, causing irreversible damage.
To avoid falling into the trap of greenwashinga fundamental element of green shopping is transparencytherefore the traceability. From the sourcing of raw materials to processing, up to distribution and sale: every step in the life of a garment must be able to be traced, forwards or backwards. Only in this way can you be sure of a brand’s sustainable practices. The technological tool of blockchain and the certificationsalthough very numerous and expensive for brands, are increasingly important allies in transparency.
SO-THE STUDY uses leather and brass production waste to create jewels that look like sculptures
Sustainability or ethics
The same adjective sustainable has different meanings. Often when a brand defines itself as such it does not just mean attention to the environment, but places emphasis on one ethical production. It therefore refers to a safe workplace, with fair compensation for its employees, thanks to a collaboration with local artisans, focused on trade fair trade, fair and supportive.
The universe of sustainable fashion is very rich in words and facets, to be appreciated and known over time to continue living the passion for fashion without damaging the environment.
Starting with more conscious shopping.
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