1. Abstract


What is Sustainable Fashion?

Are YOU well dressed?

Who is the "Green Consumer"?

What is the "Green Consumer" buying or likely to buy?

Where does the "Green Consumer" live?

And what does all this mean to the Textile Processing andGarment Confection Industries?


This article seeks to explore these questions.


2. Full Article


2.1 What is Sustainable Fashion?


Lets take our lead from the researchers at Cambridge University (England).


The Sustainable Manufacturing Group is part of the Institutefor Manufacturing at Cambridge University.


Its Goal is to:


"Develop technologies to transform materials withoutemission of greenhouse gases, the use of non-renewable materials or generationof waste".


2.2. Are YOU Well Dressed?


A report from Cambridge University outlines the options foran environmentally sustainable fashion industry.



This new study sets out a vision of asustainable clothes industry.


It asks the basic questions:


  • How can consumers satisfy their needs for textiles and clothing with significantly reduced environmental impact, and at the same time offer new opportunities to Manufacturers and Retailers?
  • What could be done differently to make the industry more sustainable?


The recommendations include:


  • The use of more Organic Cotton


  • Washing clothes at lower temperatures.


Dr. Julian Allwood from the Institute formanufacturing has said:


  • The aim is to help answer the question of what should be done to create significant changes.


  • What might happen if we could make major structural changes to the way our clothes are made and used?

 


  • What would happen, for example, if :


    • we used different fibres


    • different farming practices


    • we washed our clothes differently?


2.3. The Well Dressed Consumer: Who is He / She?


The model for the ideal consumer is one who would have an environment conscience and would drive environmentally beneficial changes in the textile and clothing industry.


The Green Consumer will:


  • Buy fewer , more durable, garments and textiles
  • Choose new purchases from those made with the least energy and with the least toxic emissions.
  • Choose new purchases from those made by workers paid a credible living wage with reasonable employment rights and conditions, and in countries without "Human Rights" skeletons in their cupboards.
  • Wash clothes at lower temperatures using ecodetergents, hang dry them and avoid ironing wherever possible.
  • Dispose of used, out of fashion, textiles and clothing through recycling businesses.


2.4. Where do Green Consumers Live?


All available research says "far more likely to live in Europe than in USA".


India Exporters please note.


2.5. What does this mean to Textile Businesses?


Businesses and the Industry, as a whole, have to remain economically viable. Otherwise, "Change" will have no benefit, and simply "will not happen".


The Key must be for Governments, Industries and Consumers to work together to achieve a more sustainable clothing Industry.


Governments and Businesses are being encouraged to promote better practices whilst remaining profitable


These include:


  • More fact based information for consumers.
  • "eco-tagging" of clothes so that the consumer can see where and how they were made.
  • New business models for clothes retailers, re introducing once common practices such as clothes repair and maintenance; which might help retailers into new revenue streams.
  • Changes to government policies through an "eco tax" on product purchase.
  • New government negotiated international agreements on trade to promote environmental and social responsibilities in supplier countries.


2.6. What about the Retailers?


What are they saying / doing?

What is in it for them?


Well they do have responsibilities.

The "Green-Lobby" is not going to "go away".


And - prices for Green Textiles ad Clothes will raise.

The Consumer will pay.

 

"Even Wal-Mart, the Sultan of PR hype and hyperbole, has undertaken a major campaign to introduce organic foods and organic clothing along with sustainable business practices" says one informed source in the USA.


The issue of sustainability recently took centre stage at the ASBCI's Annual Industry Conference and Dinner, which explored the impact, costs and alternatives to clothing miles and fast 'throwaway' fashion. The event took place in the UK, and speakers discussed the sustainability of footfall in the high street against the finger-fall of internet shopping, the greenest way to care for clothes and the ethical use of animal products.


Speakers from leading retailers present were drawn from their membership.


Members include:

  • Next
  • Marks & Spencer
  • George Clothing
  • Littlewoods Stores
  • Wool mark.


2.7. Epilogue


  • Do you want to know more about the Environmental Impact of Textiles?


  • Do you want to know more about Global Textiles and Clothing?



These questions will be answered in the next part of this article.


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