Ever thought how your fashion choices can make a difference to the environment?

Let’s not ignore the fact that one of the major sources of pollution is the fashion and textile industry. Millions of ‘fast’ fashion garments that was worn an average of just six times are being land filled every day. More and more diseases are being attributed to our constant exposure to petrochemical –based products like plastic and polyester. The use of cotton pesticides is huge and water consumption even more so. Few, if any understand the fact that chemicals, extractions and processes like dyeing and printing are harmful  for our skin and our environment.

“Bad for the customer, bad for the worker, bad for society and bad for the environment, fashion today is one of the industrial age’s biggest human failures”  — Sass Brown

Very few brands have been observed in Pakistan that are investing in making the fashion and textile industry more environmentally and socially responsible. Others are just growing their businesses and making money out of their ‘fast fashion’ assembly lines.

However, the concept of  ‘sustainable textiles and fashion’ is emerging all over the world and  fortunately people are increasingly more conscious of what they are wearing and what is it actually made of. They treat it differently, wash it differently and feel great about themselves too. Here, in our society people need to understand the term ‘sustainable design’ and what it  actually means.

Sustainable designs are designs that can be absorbed, recycled or reused and dont pollute at the time of production nor when they reach the end of their life. Almost 100% of our textiles can be repaired, reconstruct and restyled i creative and cost saving ways. It’s not only the job of fashion industries to take care of sustainable production, it’s the responsibility of each and every single individual who is buying the clothes he/she wears. Everyone should try to contribute on their level from manufacturing of garments till their eventual disposal. It’s not really possible that all textile materials are 100% sustainable but it is possible to at least make an effort on how to consume and take care of them while they stay in your wardrobe and when you plan to throw them away.

Practically, it’s not easy for a costumer to look at the bigger picture all of a sudden but we all have to start somewhere. Institutes should support creative designers (emerging and established ones) to think about the concept of sustainable designs and how one can contribute for the betterment of our society in one way or the other. Because they are the ones who have the key to bring environmentally friendly fashion to the the next level. Industries must maintain their standard by producing “eco-friendly” fashion garments which are less harmful to the consumers in the long run.

 Consumers should be aware of how to consume, use, care and dispose of their clothing.  They must be informed of the positive impact on their clothing choices, care and management of their wardrobes so as to bring them one step closer to the global movement for ecology-in-design.

Yes, your clothes have an afterlife and you should take pride in what you are wearing.