Lecture 6: Sustainable Fashion

fast vs slow fashion: definition

express that designs move from catwalk quickly to capture current fashion trends and based on the most recent fashion trends Handmade, fair trade, luxury, secondhand, sustainable, quality. "Slow" refers to the lifecycle of the garment as well as the consumer's lifestyle choices.

what is the life cycle of clothing

extraction production distribution consumption disposal

explain how waste has resulted in hazardous environmental impact from the fashion industry

pre- and post-consumption

what is the definition of sustainability, wrt to fashion

refers to "the ability to maintain economic growth without depletion of resources or damage to the environment." UN: Ð "Sustainable development that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development

explain how transportation and manufacturing have resulted in hazardous environmental impacts from the fashion industry

resources extracted and consumed

fast vs slow fashion: product life cycle

short-product life cycle longer-product life cycle

explain how labor has resulted in hazardous environmental impact from the fashion industry

unethical conditions and cheap labor

fast vs slow fashion: knowledge of sustainability

unsustainable and unaware of impact sustainable and connected w impacts

what are examples of efforts to "save the earth"

-Greener buildings and houses -Pan-national efforts to reduce the emission of CO2 -Increasing the use of advanced and more environmental-friendly bio-fuels and hybrid automobiles that use electricity -Reduction of waste and of consumption of natural resources

what are the 4 obstacles in the development of sustainable fashion

1. Raison d'etre of fashion: insatiable desire for new items, reformulation of identities 2. fashion paradox of transience and sustainability 3. relatively high price of sustainable fashion -- consumer defy market logic 4. lack of access to info about sustainble fashion

name at least 5 sustainable strategies to enhance the reduction of the environmental impact

1. Re-thinking design for the entire fashion life cycle 2. Reclaim and Re-use waste materials 3. Recycle (Upcycle) reprocessed or waste materials to make a product of equal or higher quality 4. Repair and Remodel 5. Recreate 6. Reduce to minimize the use of energy and resources and waste materials Zero waste 7. Use and increase the use of sustainable materials (organically and ethically produced fabrics) to minimize impact 8. Apply new technology to reduce the use of energy and resources or to develop more efficient process 9. Longer lasting fashion with high quality and aesthetic durability 10. Multifunctional clothes

what are 4 ways the fashion industry has resulted in hazardous environmental impacts

1. factories 2. transportation and manufacturing-related pollution 3. waste 4. labor

name at least 5 of the fair trade principles as prescribed by the World Fair Trade Organization

1.Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers 2.Transparency and Accountability 3.Fair Trading Practices 4.Payment of a Fair Price 5.Ensuring no Child Labor and Forced Labor 6.Commitment to Non-Discrimination, Gender Equity and Freedom of Association 7.Ensuring Good Working Conditions 8.Providing Capacity Building 9.Promoting Fair Trade 10.Respect for the Environment

compare fast vs slow fashion on how many and which parameters (just list)

8: - definition - knowledge of sustainability - product life cycle - production type - branding - goal - pricing - scale

important stat on resource consumption by fashion industry

Textile and clothing life cycles consume more energy and water than do the product life cycles of any other industry (except construction and agriculture)

explain how factories have resulted in hazardous environmental impact from the fashion industry

air and water pollution from textile manufacturing (ie pesticides for growing natural fibers; CO2 emissions)

fast vs slow fashion: pricing

cost based on labor and materials true price incorporates ecological, social costs

what are synonyms for sustainability

eco-friendly; ethical; going green

fast vs slow fashion: goal

image sense of self

fast vs slow fashion: scale

large scale (HM, Zara) small-med scale (muku, Margaret Howell)

clothing also follows at what cycle

life cycle: cradle --> grave

fast vs slow fashion: production type

mass production and globalization diversity and global-local

fast vs slow fashion: branding

new making and maintaining