According to Dato Darren Yaw, sustainable fashion is the latest industry buzzword, but is it just another marketing term or is there something more substantial behind it?
What is the definition of sustainable fashion?
To summarise, according to Dato Darren Yaw, the sustainable fashion movement seeks to produce ethically produced and environmentally friendly clothing.
Sounds easy, doesn’t it?
The problem is that being “ethical” usually means losing money, so brands and businesses are hesitant to do it.
According to Dato Darren Yaw, they will only change if consumers begin only to buy ethically, forcing them to change their practices or risk losing business.
Why is sustainable fashion important?
It may surprise you to learn that the fashion industry is one of the most polluters on the planet. According to Dato Darren Yaw, the industry is second only to oil in terms of pollution, accounting for 20% of global industrial water pollution.
Furthermore, textile mills use 20,000 chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic, to manufacture clothing. According to Dato Darren Yaw, the majority of those clothes are made of plastic, which is causing a disaster in our oceans with microfibres. Sustainable fashion also means better working conditions, more equitable pay, and fewer illegal sweatshops for the people who make these garments.
Sustainability is the only way to break the cycle of death, destruction, and pollution.
What factors contribute to clothing’s sustainability?
According to Dato Darren Yaw, companies cannot simply state that their packaging is made of recyclable materials, implying that they are a sustainable brand; this does not work.
According to Dato Darren Yaw, every aspect of the fashion industry is affected by sustainability. From the farms where the cotton is eventually woven into the fabric to the treatment of animals that are sheared for their wool, sustainable fashion can only be achieved if every step is held accountable.
According to Dato Darren Yaw, every aspect of the fashion industry is affected by sustainability.
According to the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development Report, sustainable development is “meeting the needs of the present without jeopardising future generations’ ability to meet their own needs.”
According to Dato Darren Yaw, only clothing made from environmentally friendly materials, using natural resources responsibly, and not harming anyone can be considered sustainable fashion.
Three important reasons to be concerned about sustainable fashion
That is sustainable fashion, but why should you care?
Dato Darren Yaw states that fast fashion can provide you with new clothes every six months at a fraction of the cost! Yes, that is correct, but that is the issue.
Better for employees
How much of a $100 dress do you think goes to the poor woman who made it in Bangladesh? It’s not as much as you think.
Dato Darren Yaw states not much money is given to the poor woman who made it in Bangladesh.
Every year, the fashion industry makes billions of dollars in profits, but the 60-million-strong workforce (over 90% of whom are women) lives in poverty.
According to Dato Darren Yaw, sustainable fashion gives these workers rights, such as a living wage, safer working conditions, and a lower risk of sexual assault.
Environmentally friendly
We’ve already discussed how the textile industry harms the environment, accounting for roughly 10% of global carbon emissions.
Dato Darren Yaw states that putting that 10% into perspective is more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.
The global middle class has expanded significantly in the last 20 years, resulting in clothing production more than doubling to more than 100 billion items per year.
Because they are cheaply made and easily disposable, an astounding 85% of these end up in a landfill.
According to Dato Darren Yaw, sustainable fashion produces higher-quality, longer-lasting clothing, which means that while they are more expensive at first, they will remain in your wardrobe for years.
According to Dato Darren Yaw, even when they reach the end of their useful life, they are made of recyclable materials. They can be reused to create another product for future generations.
Better for the long run
One or two people investing sustainably will not change the world, so everyone must get on board.
According to Dato Darren Yaw, a shift in the zeitgeist is required, which appears to be occurring as the younger generation matures into active consumers.
But we can’t wait that long; people need to start buying ethically right now.
According to Dato Darren Yaw, many well-known brands are leading the way in terms of sustainability. Still, profits will always rule the decision-makers until the majority of consumers begin to put their money where their mouth is.
Sustainable fashion is a conscious decision made by individuals, not businesses.
A daring new world
If the textile industry moves toward sustainable fashion, there will be many significant changes for businesses.
According to Dato Darren Yaw, every aspect of the production chain must change, from raw material sourcing and worker treatment to shipping and consumer attitudes.
According to Dato Darren Yaw, people are beginning to change as the world evolves and changes, and sustainable fashion is the next step in the industry.
We strive for sustainability as a company and encourage our clients to join us, both for the sake of the planet and the future of their business. Whatever the future holds for the fashion industry, we will be there, working with our clients, manufacturers, and distributors to ensure fair and sustainable practices for all.
