PLANET
Fashion Industry has been influenced directly to the environments all the time and is one of the big industries that was not eco-friendly. Nowadays most of the fashion brands are aware of this problem and tries to change their brand moto to be a sustainable. But what exactly is Sustainable fashion and how is it effects to this planet? The definition of sustainability is the ability to maintained at a certain rate or level. And Sustainable fashion can be described by prevent abusing environment and inappropriate human resources while producing fashion goods. it can be also explained by ‘circular economy’.
Circular economy is basically a system that tries to recycle materials while producing new products and try not to waste or harm environment. Fashion Industry started to adopt this system for their new vision. The circularity in fashion can be explained by following steps. First, phase out substances of concern on microfibre release. Second, increase clothing utilization. Third, radically improve recycling. Fourth, make effective use of resources and move to renewable inputs. After these four steps, it will go back to the first step, and as it circles, fashion industry can solve the task of recycling and discarding of clothes.
UN has suggested 17 ‘sustainable development goals.’ Together with those goals, they strongly insist that Industries should more focus on sustainability and make their long-term goal as becoming an eco-friendly company which contribute positive effects on environment. It is true that indeed, every single factor matters to fashion industry. However, the main factors that I want to focus among all is, ‘No Poverty’ and ‘Gender equality’. I insist these are the key words that play an important role on this industry.
‘Rana Plaza’ can be a good example. On 24 April 2013, Rana plaza in Bangladesh collapsed. This plaza was a big garment factory and as it collapsed, almost 1,132 people died and 2,500 people were injured. Workers there who were mostly women and girls knew that the building was not substantial even before this disaster, but they didn’t had chance to make their voices. This tragedy showed the world the seriousness problem of poor labour conditions faced by female workers.
Through this case people who works in fashion industry should be more aware about the situation that we encountered, and try to set a long-term goal to be a sustainable and fair-trading company. It starts by Individual change their point of view. As a part of the society, understanding and making effort to reach this goal can make this planet more healthy and beautiful.
Citation
International labour organization (2022), The Rana Plaza Accident and its aftermath. Available at: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/geip/WCMS_614394/lang–en/index.htm
RIMARCIKOVA, Katerina (2022) ‘Intro to- Online Lecture’ [Recorded Lecture]. FT Yr 1, London College of Fashion. 3 October. Available at : https://ual.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=43000142-2334-45b9-8764-af23009fc0a0