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How Fashion Weeks Are Prioritizing The Need Of Sustainable Fashion

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In his 14 years long career, Robby has worked with Mahindra Satyam and iGenius Global Services, prior to joining FIO in 2019.

The trend of fashion week started with the concept of bringing together like-minded people under one roof to celebrate the art and pour in business from within the boundary and across. If we look at the Annual Report of 2019, fashion is one of the largest revenue generating industries yet the most polluting as well. While the second half is equally disturbing, the first part of the fact surely surprises us all.

According to fashion critics and experts, in the last decade, the veterans as well as the young designers have made efforts in reducing pollution by promoting ‘Sustainable Fashion’. If we talk about the concept, Sustainable Fashion is about meeting today’s needs while ensuring that the way we go about meeting those needs meet future needs as well. It is also about providing benefits to the people involved in the fashion world, without harming the environment.

From promoting the concept of ‘Zero Waste Fashion’ to ‘Recycling Fashion’, the authorities have come a long way in promoting sustainable fashion, which aims at securing future generations. According to environmentalists, it is a fight against the system of production, procurement and environmental issues as well. The initiative of sustainable fashion is duly promoted by the Ministry of Textile, the independent NGOs and designers that work with the artisans and are in favour of protecting the mother earth from all sorts of ill-issues.

While authenticity and comfort stand top in the chart of the fashion world, it is important to understand that the shift to its alternative is necessary for a better future


Interestingly, the high-street brands and retail brands have joined the initiative, keeping the seriousness of issue in mind and have recently declared that they are aiming to become 100 per cent zero-waste emitting fashion brands by 2030. According to a recent study, this step has shown a huge impact on the communities around the globe.

When we talk about the change, it has started at the root level and the same can be observed at the top level. A recent instance that drew media attention was when the London Fashion Week prohibited designers who use animal fur. Not only this, the change also saw leading brands like Burberry, Gucci and Versace taking pledge to turn fur-free.

While the media has played a key role in highlighting the issue, it is believed that the younger generation, that is well-versed with the situation has also worked as a catalyst by saying yes to ‘Sensible Fashion’ that doesn’t promote any sort of cruelty against nature and otherwise. Also, the concept of ‘Zero Watse Fashion’ has helped in generating employment opportunities at grass root level. According to a recent report, today’s consumers are way more sensible and they take a closer look at the clothes they wear just like they are now conscious about the food they put into their bodies. There is a shift in their purchasing decisions to create a cleaner environment.

From the global industry perspective, the fashion industry is going through a major change, which calls for a bigger space for sustainable fashion practices. Fashion scholars and critics believe that this can happen if the following sustainability practices are diligently followed by the industry professionals.

Supply chain traceability and transparency
It is important to keep a check on what is being made, where it is being made and how raw materials are being sourced. A clear transparency in functioning will help understand the need for practice of sustainability.

Combating climate change
The industry needs to understand that the change in climate is a result of being harsh with it and it will change on a positive side, when we as humans will stop being rude to it. From cutting the trees to polluting the land and water bodies, all this needs to handle smartly for a better tomorrow.

Sustainable material mix
While authenticity and comfort stands top in the chart of the fashion world, it is important to understand that the shift to its alternative is necessary for a better future. Experts believe that it can never happen overnight, but it is not impossible. The change can begin by slowly creating a shift and then merging it with best alternatives.

Efficient use of resources
From water, energy to chemicals, each element plays its role in the fashion world. It is important for the players to play with each element with efficiency, so that there is zero waste. Unnecessary use of water, energy and chemicals should be avoided.

Respectful work environment
All the changes can happen only with mutual understanding and cooperation. To make it happen, it is important that designers and brands create a respectful work environment, where people and nature both are respected equally.

Quality over quantity
The era of fast fashion has influenced people on a big scale, but today's generation that hovers on the idea of 'more the better' must ponder their thoughts on 'good quality' clothes over hoarding stacks of 'poor quality' clothes. Rather than buying poor quality clothes in order to have more variety, it's better to work on a sustainable model by having a pair that they would use for long.