Everyday the fashion industry is changing the ways it becomes more sustainable and eco-friendly. However, a lot of designers are not following this trend. There is a group of designers that support the use of leather and fur, which is very controversial. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) consists of several internationally famous designers such as Giorgio Armani, Stella McCartney, Donna Karan, and Calvin Klein. These designers are not alone in their decision to refuse to include fur in their collections. In the report Fashion Sustainability it discusses different several issues in the fashion industry. What I found most interesting about this report was that it states the problems while at the same time offering several solutions.
Many issues included in this report discussed the pesticide use in the cotton farming industry, water use and working conditions for workers. One fact included in the article that was of particular interest to me was that it takes over 10 tonnes of water to grow enough cotton in order to produce one pair of jeans. Therefore, with the climate change continuing in its current state, the water stress will increase. The article also discussed how workers in poor conditions were exposed to toxic chemicals that cause bladder and breast cancer. Due to the high stress farmers were committing suicide. Isn't there a way to prevent this?
Other issues discussed were animal welfare and human rights that are jeopardized everyday. When you go to a store and purchase a fur vest do you really think about all the work that went into it? Not to mention, the animal and how it was treated?
In the article Pricing Environmental Impacts, there was a study done to compare two farming techniques; conventional and organic. They studied the life cycle of a t-shirt and discussed how manufacturing an organic piece is less expensive and better for the environment and not as much water or pesticides are used.
The article talks about pesticides, water consumption and soil erosion. Water consumption is something that people need to start becoming more aware of and limiting. In the article it states how many times a person washes one t-shirt and how much water that uses. That particular study and evidence really stuck out to me. I was excited to hear that Patagonia is now finding ways to change their techniques and use alternative production methods. I think that identifying the environmental costs leads to more informed decisions for companies and consumers.
The article talks about pesticides, water consumption and soil erosion. Water consumption is something that people need to start becoming more aware of and limiting. In the article it states how many times a person washes one t-shirt and how much water that uses. That particular study and evidence really stuck out to me. I was excited to hear that Patagonia is now finding ways to change their techniques and use alternative production methods. I think that identifying the environmental costs leads to more informed decisions for companies and consumers.
I think that with these suggested issues people have the opportunity come together and actually make a difference. In ESMA, they had even more descriptive and researched solutions that were recommended. I believe that it starts with the designer and then follows with the consumer. Ultimately, everyone needs to make a decision whether or not they want to make a change in the fashion industry. Do you?
The information that you specifically refer to is very interesting. I too believe that it starts with the designers and the trend forecasters setting the ideas of what is cool and trendy in place and then trickles down to the consumer. Your references to the ethical treatment of the animals and workers was interesting as well because I don’t think that we as consumers truly realize the impact of what they go through on making the garment and working at the manufacturer’s plants. Do you think there is anything else that we can do as consumers to be more informed and to help make a difference in the industry? Great post!
ReplyDeleteI really loved your first paragraph. I wish you would have just talked about organizations like PETA and designers involved strictly because I find it so fascinating. I agree with both you and Kelli that it starts with designers and the forecasters since fashion is all about being trendy and fitting in, but the consumers still have to buy into the trends. I know I didn't realize how to deep some of the issues run--like farmers overworking themselves into suicide. It's so important to educate consumers. To piggy-back off of Kelli's question, is there anything more designers/marketers can do to inform consumers about their products and why they are so beneficial? You made great points in your argument!
ReplyDeleteGreat questions! Kelli to answer your question I think that we as consumers should be more aware of all the advertising that is around us to be more organic and green and so on. I feel like a lot of us see it so much that we tend to just ignore it, but we are the ones that have to make the change. I think that hearing certain issues like animal cruelty and poor working conditions coming from certain designers would truly open my eyes rather than just an advertisement. Hopefully that answers both of your questions! Those are just some ideas that I had on the top of my head.
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