How can you improve your knowledge of sustainable fashion?

This is all good, but please keep in mind that there is no such thing as TRULY sustainable fashion. This is because the world has enough clothing and companies overproduce so much that there is excess. This means even the most sustainable clothing contributes to that excess. The best thing we can do is to buy far fewer new clothing items. Consider other areas of fulfillment and look at product choices more holistically rather than through the eyes of a single product or a single brand. Think people and planet and ask a lot of tough questions.

Start analyzing what you are wearing, what are your choices and criteria when buying and designing/producing, when are you CHOOSING critically? when do you thing longterm? do you ask yourself where things come from? whjat and who is involved?

Our knowledge of sustainable fashion can be improved by connecting with and joining groups and organizations that are actively investigating the issue worldwide and sharing what they are finding. Sustainable fashion is oftentimes used in a very broad term and could actually mean a lot and is integrity based but it can also mean absolutely nothing of substance. The concept of sustainable fashion has to be more than just a play on words, consumers must have an understanding of the concept that goes beyond just consumerism.

Sustainable development of circular economy is an inevitable. To treasure resources, ensure that resources to be recycled and reused.

I would like to add another point to this as even the most sustainable and etchinally manufactured garment is wasted if it has no purpose. We should change how we buy our clothes and invest in a fewer more long lasting pieces rather than many that has a shorter life span. Be sure what we would like, what colour suits us, what size we are actually wearing. Do we need another pair of jeans? In Hungary, we have specific english second hand fashion stores, garments that were purchased once but donated in the UK and sold again in Hungary often still with the label attached - brand new clothing purchased by someone originally just because the price were so low.

It is a constant research to find the best solutions available on fabric and other rough material market, also we do research to develop the best practices possible.

Yes this is all important but don’t forget to add in the waste factor. Ask where will this product go once it’s lifespan is over? Design for circularity. Certifications are something but they’re also imperfect. Do your own due diligence wherever you can and ask the hard questions to discover the truth about a brand and or the products they’re making. Design is a beautiful thing. Isn’t it high time we design a new approach that’s not reliant upon exploitation and overproduction?

What is very difficult to wrap one's head around is the idea of recycled fibers. It's great that we are using ocean plastic (or diverted ocean plastic) to create fibers. However, those types of fibers can shed plastic back into our waterways and contribute to the microplastic problem. To look at this from even another angle we must also consider what happens when we run out of the waste product we are using to create fibers? It's a pipe dream at this point, but what about when we have depleted fossil fuels or run out of ocean plastic to recycle. When the waste stream shuts down, then what?

The best sustainable practices in fashion encompass a multifaceted approach aimed at reducing the industry's environmental and social impact. This involves using eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and recycled fabrics, ensuring fair labor practices, adopting zero or low-waste production methods, and reducing chemical usage in manufacturing. Embracing a circular fashion economy through initiatives promoting garment longevity and recycling, alongside transparent supply chains, sustainable packaging, and a commitment to renewable energy sources, all contribute to creating a more responsible and environmentally conscious fashion industry.

Produzir roupas mais sustentáveis envolve adotar práticas éticas, utilizar materiais eco-friendly, promover a reciclagem, garantir condições de trabalho justas ao longo da cadeia de produção e muito mais. Mas ainda estamos em aprendizado e buscando colocar muita coisa na prática.

Absolutely yes. I’m an MS student of Sustainability and Social Impact but I gain a tremendous amount of information simply by listening and reading what the experienced experts have to say. Also remember to diversify your sources for balance. Most of the best information doesn’t come from the popular influencers. It comes from the industry pros.

My exploration of sustainable fashion goes beyond information gathering; it's a personal commitment. Extensive reading and engagement with blogs have deepened my understanding, while workshops and webinars have turned knowledge into action. Connecting with professionals and online communities has broadened my perspective. Local events have shown me the tangible impact of sustainable practices. It's not just about staying informed; it's a journey to align my choices with values that contribute to a more conscious and ethical fashion industry.

It's better to say not following innovators is just simply a bad idea! We live in an era that everything is moving in a fast pace, and we must follow many people and sources to keep up!

Acredito sim que adotando essas estratégias estaremos mais bem preparados para absorver as melhores práticas e lições dos inovadores que estão liderando o caminho na moda sustentável. Estar aberto a ajustar as práticas à medida que novas informações e tecnologias sustentáveis surgem, faz a moda sustentável ser um campo dinâmico e a aprendizagem contínua é sempre essencial.

It is very easy to feel like you as an individual are not doing enough to solve the sustainability problem in fashion. I always recommend reminding yourself of what you already do that helps the situation. Do you use reusable shopping bags? Have you used them for years? Don't forget that you have saved hundreds if not thousands, of plastic bags from being used. Give yourself credit for the work you have already done. it is easy for us to forget something we are used to doing because it is part of our routine. Recognize the progress and take things one step at a time. Modifying your daily habits takes time.

Yah I love this approach and was just asking my husband the other day - “so how do we KNOW we’ve reduced our carbon footprint when we aren’t tracking it”. We’re using e-bikes, we’re sharing one car, we’ve reduced our commute, we’re vegetarian, we’re doing lots of things - but just as with a business - you can’t improve what you can’t track. Since the 1990’s, our states waste increases an average of 3% annually. So, I’m creating a spreadsheet to start our journey on this.

I like this approach. And I am challenging myself by adopting the zero-waste pattern cutting method in my practice as a fashion designer. I have first hand experience on the amount of waste produced during garment manufacture especially in line with my design concept. I have found that this method can be challenging if you want to maintain the key aesthetics of your design but it is a worthy process and journey. I am staying the course of responsible design and pattern cutting.

Este compromisso com conhecimentos e práticas de moda sustentável é o aprendizado contínuo e também uma implementação de ações concretas. Compromisso de empresas e individual também. Desafiar a mudança de hábitos é algo que demora no ser humano.

We’re all in this together so leave the egos at the door. We’re ALL learning and the information is always changing so instead of accusations be a part of the solution and help one another understand better and be open to learning yourself. I see so much ego even in the world of sustainability now that there’s influencer competition. It’s silly. What have we got to lose? Oh yah, the human existence.

Inspiring others to join the sustainable fashion journey involves sharing knowledge and passion through social media, educational content, and collaborations. Transparency in business practices, participation in events and exhibitions, and engagement with local communities help showcase the positive impact of sustainable choices. Actively participating in networks, offering mentorship, and advocating for circular fashion principles further amplify the message, fostering a broader movement toward sustainable and ethical practices in the fashion industry.

One must always be generous about the knowledge they have, towards others! Leading other people in this way and helping them find their own place in this path, is a win-win situation!

I've enjoyed sharing content this December showcasing thrift shop purchases, charity shop finds highlighting a more individual look, great finds. For now the focus is to work with what you have not make anyone feel bad for purchasing a fast fashion item, just encourage to keep it, resell upcycle it etc. Then look at second hand clothes in a different way.

Encouraging widespread adoption of sustainable practices in the fashion industry involves education, advocacy, and leading by example. Utilizing engaging platforms and storytelling to highlight the environmental impact of fashion raises awareness. Promoting collaboration among influencers, brands, and consumers amplifies the message of sustainability. Demonstrating the positive effects of eco-friendly choices inspires others to embrace mindful consumption, fostering a collective commitment to a greener fashion future.

All of the above steps are only talking about the front end wastage produced by the industry. From design inspiration to final sample construction there are various steps in which a lot of waste get genrate. Industrialists need to start investing and experimenting with the advanced technology which help in the reduction of over production within the process.

Never forget that education never ends! We must always keep up with the new changes, updates and try to learn new things to help us in our path!

To improve your knowledge of sustainable fashion we can follow below mentioned:- Read Books and Articles: Explore literature on sustainable fashion to understand its principles and practices. Follow Sustainable Brands: Stay updated on sustainable fashion by following eco-conscious brands and designers. Watch Documentaries: Documentaries like "The True Cost" provide insights into the fashion industry's environmental impact. Join Online Communities: Engage in forums and online communities where discussions about sustainable fashion take place. Stay Informed About Materials: Learn about eco-friendly fabrics and materials commonly used in sustainable fashion. Practice Sustainable.

As a sustainable fashion brand one must focus on increasing product life span and use raw materials which are biodegradable or recyclable.

Embarking on a sustainable journey in fashion design is rooted in curiosity and questioning. By critically examining every design process and production step, and actively seeking knowledge and dialogue, we open ourselves to innovative, sustainable practices. This shift in mindset is key; it naturally steers our creative choices towards a more ethical and environmentally conscious approach, shaping a responsible future for fashion.

Lo más sostenible es utilizar lo que ya existe. En @okollective proponemos a las marcas programas de reparación post consumo para alargar la vida de sus prendas. También rediseñamos sus stocks para crear nuevos productos y reintroducirlos al canal de venta en otra forma. Así se evita generar residuos y se generan nuevos productos con la menor huella ambiental. Siempre proponemos trabajar con talleres de inserción, para que también tenga un impacto positivo en la sociedad. Si te interesa ponte en contacto en info@okollective.es

Your point about the inherent challenge of achieving "TRULY sustainable fashion" due to existing excess in the industry is crucial. It prompts us to reevaluate our approach, emphasizing the need to prioritize conscious consumption and minimize the demand for new clothing items.

Indeed, sustainable development in the fashion industry involves not only opting for recycled and sustainable materials but also necessitates a concerted effort to minimize unnecessary waste. Overproduction stands out as a significant contributor to waste generation. To achieve a more sustainable fashion landscape, the industry must take measures to streamline the supply chain, reduce excessive production, and encourage consumers to adopt more mindful shopping behaviors. By promoting a circular economy and minimizing resource waste, the fashion industry can better balance the supply-demand dynamics, thereby advancing more comprehensively towards sustainability.