Sustainability in Fashion: A Look at How Things Are Changing

With everything going on in the world today, it has become increasingly important to consumers that the brands they deal with make an effor...

With everything going on in the world today, it has become increasingly important to consumers that the brands they deal with make an effort toward ethical practices and sustainability. But what exactly does this mean? Does it mean that they want products made from recycled and recyclable materials or does it mean that they want sustainable manufacturing processes?

Do consumers want to know that they are dealing with brands that have a strong sense of integrity when it comes to human rights and with all that implies? It probably means all of the above and so much more. When it comes to the fashion industry, how are things changing? That’s something we should probably explore.

Sustainability: A Look at One Brand

For the sake of example, let’s look for a moment at the Heist lace bralette. While it is super soft and designed to fit and mould the breasts, it is also one crafted from recycled and recyclable fabrics. In terms of the eco-conscious consumer, this is one product they would consider buying for that fact alone. Bear in mind that the bra has already utilised recycled material when manufacturing it and the fabric can be recycled again. This is a definite plus on a number of levels.

Sustainability, Ethics and Cost

Then there is this whole area of concern when companies outsource work to developing nations that don’t have the same sense of world and business ethics. Many have workers who labour more than 10 hours a day, seven days a week and for literal pennies. They are not paid a fair wage and they work in factories we would call sweatshops here in the West. The premise on the part of corporations is that this enables them to keep the end-cost to consumers low. But does it really? At what cost to the environment and the human condition are these business practices?

No Longer a Dilemma for Many

Although there are consumers here at home living below a pre-defined poverty level, most have empathy for the conditions under which many countries expect of their workforce. As a people, we are conscious of the fact that many of those very same nations have little intention of reducing their carbon footprint at any time in the near future and the human rights violations keep stacking up. Due to these issues, most consumers in the West are willing to pay a higher price for products they know to be manufactured with sustainability in mind and within the parameters of ethical business practices.

Russia is waging war against Ukraine and the West has very real worries about being pulled into what amounts to a major attack on the human rights of an entire nation. Consumers at home are becoming hyperaware of issues involving sustainability if Europe loses nuclear power plants now being threatened. As for the fashion industry, brands that have a social conscience will do well with the mindset of today’s consumer. That is how the fashion industry is changing and all for the good.