Sustainability falls under several fundamental categories when considering material, form and function. The manner in which a fashion house chooses to minimize waste, maximize ecological awareness and maintain efficiency speaks volumes about company standards.
While the practice of sustainability seems to be a hot topic throughout media outlets, it’s an application which must be upheld for the sake of our ailing ecosystem. Designers who chose to ignore the weight of industry-driven pollution are doing themselves a disservice given recent environmental discoveries that are stirring panic around the world.
One Danish design house chose to cut through the fluff and take action. Stine Goya produced a collection dedicated to resourcing recycled materials in the form of dresses, pantsuits and pompadour court shoes. Inspired by Truman Capote’s Black and White Masquerade Ball, Stine’s collection was a hit worldwide.
On a larger scale, H&M released their ‘Concious” collection on April 18, in anticipation of World Recycle Week. Its ambitious intention was to collect 1,000 tons of used clothes which will be restored into new garments for future use.
JLo turned heads at Versace’s fashion show in Milan where she was draped in a revamped version of the early 2000’s “Jungle Dress.” Versace has been a sustainable Fashion House, raising the bar for other designer brands in their league. Many believe that JLo’s “Jungle Dress” is not only sustainable in textile, but illustrates a powerful message behind the burning of the Amazon.
According to Ganni’s annual sustainability report, the Scandinavian brand has been working tirelessly, achieving lower CO2 emissions produced from fabric, transportation import and packaging. Their efforts culminated into PARADIS, Ganni’s SS19 show, an immense success amongst influencers, Vogue and worldwide press covering Copenhagen Fashion Week. It’s important to acknowledge that Ganni, amongst additional brands excelling in their field, are setting the sustainability standard incredibly high.
In the world of accessories, wearable sustainability extends beyond fabricated garments. Nisolo, Namu and Soko are jewelry companies who dedicate their practices to transforming biodegraded metal from deadstock piles. Kenya-based jewelry brand Made, uses reclaimed brass in many of their pieces sourced from small, family-owned companies within the region of their headquarters. The alliance between sustainable materials and expert craftsmanship had grown so prosperous that Louis Vuitton, Topshop and Club Monaco have reached out for collaborations.
Designers were considerably more aware of runway themes and locations in this summer’s New York Fashion Week. Many shows took place outdoors in tribute to an innovative theme: the farmers market. Kate Spade, Mansur Gavriel and Collina Strada based their collections around colorful fruits, veggies and market vendors while models carried totes with vibrant produce in their sustainable garments.
When you think of pollution, power plants and rumbling car factories come to mind. So, why is sustainability such a vital practice in the design industry above all others? According to Edge Fashion Intelligence, oil and clothing companies are the largest polluters in the world. With some of the most recognized names in fashion advocating emphasis on a more sustainable practice, more fast-fashion brands and boutiques begin to follow in their footsteps.
Designers and CEOs are on a promising track, but one that is not always comfortable or easy to maintain. With constant development of materials, techniques and methods of waste reduction, the stride towards a more tenable future is possible. Sustainability must not be an ephemeral trend, but a vital practice to be carried forward until the end of time.
Pictured Chloe for Collina Strada, Courtesy of the New York Post