Sustainable fashion is something that is widely discussed in the industry nowadays. It’s a way of production that brands have transformed into a business model in hopes of reaching an audience focused on the future of fashion. It has become popularized that fashion is the world’s second largest polluter, although that statement cannot be prove according to The New York Times. What are we doing to stop it from being the first? Here’s a little of our insight from two of our editors during their time spent in Asia.
On September 6, we attended Hong Kong’s second annual Fashion Summit, themed “Closing the Loop.” It is the largest event of sustainable fashion and related issues in Asia. Speakers ranged from the CEO of H&M to the Sustainability Editor at Vogue Australia. Discussions during the event focused on how to reach a circular economy in an age of fast fashion and environmental danger. Hong Kong’s known advocacy for sustainability made it the perfect setting for the summit.
A circular economy is not an easy task, but representatives at the summit proposed many possibilities for brands, designers and customers to adapt. For example, Dr. Amanda Parkes of Future Tech Lab educated the audience on new technologies in the production of clothing, such as using fabric made from shrimp shells that dissolve in salt water after disposal. Aamir Sakhia from Lane Crawford discussed what can be done in the fashion industry from a department store viewpoint. While each speaker proposed different perspectives, they all focused on the idea of reducing waste and promoting mindful consumption in the fashion industry.
There is not one answer to creating a more ethical fashion industry; every brand offers a different approach. As the Manor spends more time in Hong Kong, the efforts of creating a circular economy become more obvious. There is a focus on producing less waste and reducing consumption.
Hong Kong-based fashion company Grana is another brand trying to change the ethical issues in fashion by adjusting their business model. They are essentially cutting out the middleman, so they can reduce the markup on their sustainably made garments. This creates a more attainable price point for a capsule wardrobe in hopes that almost anyone can afford their items, thus leading to less consumption and over-production.
But will it take more than just transparency for this trend to resonate with American brands? And is this just a trend, or is this something that can disrupt the industry and adjust our buying habits forever? We’d love to know your thoughts on the topic. Join the conversation with us on social media now and make sure to tag us!
Editor’s Note, 1/24/2019: The original article claimed that fashion is the world’s second largest polluter. We have updated the statement with a link to an article, written by Vanessa Friedman of The New York Times, that counters the claim.
Written by Olivia Ewing and Lian Najarian
Graphic by Michelle Parry