INVESTING IN SUSTAINABILITY

Article written by Maddie Oakley

Is your closest doing more harm than good?

 Fashion is an extravagant art form that constructs value and influence to unleash new ideas and extraordinary designs. Clothing can tell a story; it identifies the feelings we want to convey. A type of expression where composers of the art can exhibit creativity, freedom, and curiosity. Designers are creators enhancing their craft daily, leaving impressions on people to express themselves. Individuals worldwide look to celebrities to find inspiration and influence when it comes to style and substance, but have you ever thought about the consequences that fashion can have on the future of our environment? A quote from Emma Watson states, “As consumers, we have so much power to change the world by just being careful in what we buy.” Every time you purchase an article of clothing, you vote for the world you want to live in. As you read this article, consider your personal life and the differences you can make regarding the brands you support and the clothes you purchase.  

    Sustainable Fashion 

The term “Sustainable Fashion” and in general sustainability has been overused in recent years, but what does it mean? Sustainable Fashion refers to garments produced in a way that is mindful of environmental issues. Ethical brands not only promote sustainability but equality and society in everyday life. Fashion is about the clothes we select to represent ourselves, however, sustainable fashion is a more considerate approach to humanity and the environment, reducing the environmental footprint at the first opportunity. We at Femponiq create and manufacture our garments to be more conscious of environmental issues. As a small company within the fashion industry, we strive to develop garments from OEKO-Tex Certified Vegan Fabrics, dead-stock fabrics and with a goal of zero waste fabric consumption. Moreover, all collections are made in limited quantities in a way that improves the quality of life for everyone with fair wages.

                         The Effects of Fashion on Our Environment

The fashion industry is one of the most critical sectors of the economy, and after the pandemic, its contribution to the economy was tremendous. Over 75 million people are employed in some capacity within the fashion industry and this number continues to rise. Even though the fashion industry has significantly boosted the economy, the negative impacts outweigh the positives. There are a few adverse effects for which the fashion industry is accountable. Some significant negative impacts include carbon emissions, the depletion of water sources, and the pollution of rivers and streams. In addition, washing artificial clothing can lead to a considerable amount of microplastics seeping into the ocean, causing extreme harm to many ecosystems. 

Human rights and equality are essential for everyone. Shouldn't it be the same for the textile workers? The poor conditions in factories are not only causing safety issues for the laborers, but the chemicals in the clothes being produced are causing long lasting health issues. There are many ways to be fashionable and stay on trend without causing harm to workers and the environment. We all need to be cognizant of how we wash, wear, and dispose of our clothes. 

     Practices for Sustainable Fashion

Having a sustainable closet does not need to present a challenge if you use the following tips to help with the movement of practicing sustainable Fashion. Organizing your closet can be difficult based on the emotional attachment you have to specific pieces of clothing, but if you have not worn an article of clothing in months or years, it is time to disconnect. Decluttering your closet allows additional space for new high-quality timeless pieces. Incorporating versatile pieces into your wardrobe will allow for effortless styling for any occasion. When shopping for new clothes, think about longevity and less about trends. 

Fast Fashion is a significant cause of clothes being dumped into landfills due to how inexpensively they are produced. Shopping from sustainable and ethical fashion brands is not only becoming trendy but also a necessity to save the environment from the detrimental effects of fast fashion. At first glance, these brands appear to be less affordable; however, these clothes last much longer and have a positive effect on the environment. Once you have determined which clothes are being eliminated from your wardrobe, do not throw them in the bin! Clothes emit greenhouse gasses causing major global warming issues when dumped in landfills. Instead of discarding your clothes, contemplate donating or selling them. These options eliminate additional clothing getting discarded in the dump and creating greenhouse gasses. Being more conscious of our fashion choice can help the environment and make a lasting change for future generations. 

  Positive Outcomes

The fashion industry has taken significant strides to improve the betterment of society, but there is still much to be done. In addition to the positive impact on the environment and human rights, shopping sustainably can allow creators an outlet to express themselves in the form of fashion. Together we need to embrace and embody the topic of sustainability. We all have the tools and awareness to shop more sustainably. Let us start the conversation and keep it going, together we can be the change to make the change.