FASHION SUSTAINABILITY

Fashion sustainability has been a hot topic as of late. Magazines such as Vogue and newspapers such as Evening Standard all have a dedicated section for the subject. The reason for this is because of the impact buying and throwing away clothes as well as the materials used is having on the environment. A recent documentary on BBC One showed 300,000 tonnes of garments being dumped in landfill each year and vast amounts of water disappearing due to the requirements of cotton:

A catwalk protest as part of Extinction Rebellion highlighted the impact of fast fashion on climate change and encouraged people to 'rip up their old ones and sew them together in a different way.'

Fashion Action: Circus of Excess by Yui Mok via AOL

A recent study revealed that more than 80 percent of shoppers are buying clothes they never wear and brands like Burberry refused to recycle due to the fear of ending up on the black market. Other customers are more aware of the environmental impact of consumer goods and brands such as Stella McCartney have led the way in fashion sustainability with collections consisting of re-engineered cashmere, recycled nylon and organic cotton:

Stella McCartney SS18 Campaign shot by Johnny Dufort

H&M are also champions of sustainablity with parts of their new Conscious Exclusive collection made from discarded pineapple and orange peel...

H&M Conscious Exclusive 2019 via London Evening Standard

John Lewis and Topshop have also jumped on the sustainable bandwagon with the former trailing a buy-back scheme and the latter setting up recycling points:

Topshop Oxford Circus' Love Not Landfill recycling point

This week's ES Magazine's Style Notes What We Love Now is dedicated to sustainable collections such as Alberta Ferretti's 'Love Me' range, sustainable sweetheart Stella McCartney's latest eyewear and Mother of Pearl's No Frills line. There is also a section on Fashion Revolution Week, seven days of talks and events to champion a more sustainable shopping experience. If fashion sustainability is not one of the biggest trends of 2019, then I do not know what is.

ES Magazine 18.04.19

The key lies in a more circular industry, 'an economic system aimed at minimising waste and making the most of resources - it challenges fashion's linear production line that ends with clothes being discarded in landfill'. A recent article in the London Evening Standard revealed a trend for past collections (read my post on Why I Love '90s Shoulder Bags) and that this form of circular shopping is far more appealing than a lot of the ethically focused brands. I have always been unconsciously sustainable. I only ever buy and wear pieces that I love. In a way this has created a distinctive style that my friends know me for.

If you are interested in becoming more sustainable, start by buying less, passing on pieces to family and friends, using recycling points and buy-back schemes or getting creative with your garments. Shop at vintage stores Beyond Retro and Rokit or resale sites eBay and Vestiare Collective. If you want to find out more about fashion sustainability, check out Fashion Revolution or upcoming events Fashion Question Time at the V&A and The Future Of Ethical Fashion.