Slowing down fashion- a more positive outlook

We seem to hear a lot about the totally shocking affects that the industry has on the environment. Education around this topic is absolutely necessary, and I have myself still got so much to learn about the affects. Keeping the importance of us understanding the issue, to help us see how the industry is totally taking advantage of our ignorance on the subject, It was really refreshing to see a documentary that honestly gave me hope for the future of fashion and the planet.

Most people are thankfully becoming aware to some degree about the issue of fast fashion, resulting in 50% of it ending up in landfill, and nearly all of it consisting of non-biodegradable synthetic fibres. New York sells more clothes per head than anywhere else in the world, but just 2% of new Yorks fashion still being made in the country. A big part of the problem that the documentary highlights is the disconnection that people have to how and where their clothes are made, which results in a less conscious thought when buying synthetic based clothes. If we where educated more on how the clothes are made, what they are made from, and who they are made by, rather than it being ‘swept under the rug’ I believe that the rate of fast fashion would considerably slow down.

As well as looking at solutions such as bringing consumer and the making of the products closer, the main, most exciting and positive solution that the documentary showed me was wool. I always knew the general rule that natural fibres are better than synthetic because they biodegrade, however I was also aware and conflicted by the fact that some natural fibres such as cotton, causes a large amount, if not the same amount of damage to the environment, due to the water required, and pesticides involved in growing it. Realising that even natural fibres have become highly damaging to the planet is a depressing outlook, and leaves us feeling kind of helpless. However the documentary for once educated me on a real and potentially very effective solution the the issue, which is the natural fibre of wool.

  

Wool is one of the earths oldest fibres used for clothing, it not only biodegrades but also breaths and regulates heat naturally, holds its shape over time, doesn’t stretch easily and much more. Wool was abandoned by fashion in favour for cheaper synthetic fabrics, however with the state of the planet it seems this is no longer an option.

We are searching for technology from our cheap disposable fashion that natural fibres such as wool already contain. We can easily gain all the positives that we look for when buying six cheap jumpers for the price of one wool jumper that will last years longer.

We can no longer afford to be frivolous with fashion, but with fibres like wool we don’t have to give up on fashion completely, in fact it offers more than just a happy compromise with all its many practical and stylish benefits.

  

Wool is making a comeback on runways already, and big designers such as Vivianne Westwood are backing the wool revival.

“you will always look posh in wool”

We are seeing investment fashion come back into style. Investing in durable and long lasting, environmentally friendly fashion was described by vouge as giving you a distinctive style and look which is sophisticated. Investment fashion stands out from the cheap fast fashion trends, which is as a result becoming more desirable for fashionistas and influencers.