The Rise of Sustainable Designers in Fashion
Sustainability is not a new concept in the world of fashion, however, with the current environmental climate as well as newer, more conscious audiences, its impact has only grown. First, it’s necessary to talk about why sustainable fashion is important. To put it simply, there are endless social and environmental issues that may be improved by partaking in sustainability.
Many of these harmful effects can be credited to fast fashion companies that rely on fossil fuels and non-reliable resources to make their profits. With how much cheap product they are overproducing, it is only natural for a wide array to end up in landfills or incinerated, causing more and more damage to the earth daily. On a lighter note, however, the newer generations are beginning to realize these dangers, causing many to enact or want to enact change. One characteristic that I feel does a great job encapsulating both Gen Z and Gen Alpha is their longing for strong ethics, and many brands are realizing this. Keeping in mind the power that these consumers have over fashion trends, brands are now attempting to make their products more natural and sustainable.
THE BRANDS
There are numerous sustainable fashion brands that we should bring awareness to rather than shopping at harmful fast fashion retailers. One great sustainable and eco-friendly brand is Everlane. They pride themselves on offering a variety of chic and vintage-inspired clothing, most of which are made with recycled materials or natural fibers. They also offer a product page, in which they disclose information about how each piece is made, such as the cost and location, making it very easy for customers to feel good about what they are buying. Girlfriend Collective is another great brand for those interested in more comfortable activewear and loungewear. They happily advertise that each and every one of their products is derived from recycled materials such as fishing nets, cotton waste, plastic bottles, and more. Similar to Everlane, they describe the making of their products on their About Us page.
Some other great sustainable brands that deserve to be advertised include Reformation, Stella McCartney, Eileen Fisher, Loti, and thousands more. Though it may seem scary when delving into the many downfalls of fast fashion, there is hope for the future. Even luxury designers are pushing forth change by bringing recycled and eco-friendly materials onto the runway, Stella McCartney being a frontrunner in this. But how can we, as consumers support sustainable fashion? As stated earlier, shopping from sustainable brands is just one amazing alternative. However, these brands can be pricey. In that case, shopping second-hand through thrift stores or online markets is an option. Next, look out for transparency. If you have your concerns, research how the brand makes its products as well as how its workers are treated; often fast fashion brands will be less inclined to disclose this information. Most of all, one of the most important factors in making this difference is backing yourself. You and every one of us has the power to enact change, and that power is not something that should be wasted.
Written by: Alyssa Pankiewitz, Junior at Marist college
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