How can we make fashion sustainable?

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Verity explores the environmental impact of clothing, and discusses how Textiles students at WHS have been improving the sustainability of their garments 

The words nature, environment, and sustainability are becoming increasingly associated with the fashion industry, as we dress made from discarded denim fabric portraying sustainability become ever more aware of the impact our clothes have on the environment. The fashion industry is responsible for around four percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions – that’s more than France, Germany and the UK combined [1]. But what does sustainability mean? Sustainability in the fashion industry entails creating clothes that help protect the environment and the manufacturer. Cutting CO2 emissions, addressing overproduction, reducing pollution and waste, supporting biodiversity, and fair prices and care for garment workers are all crucial in improving sustainability and the environment.

Textiles students responding to environmental issues

In the Textiles room this year, students have been grappling with these issues. At the beginning of every project, we get to set a context. This year, Year 11s studied “Nature and the Environment” and Year 10s studied “Working Towards a Sustainable Future”. There was a plethora of routes you could go down, and this year we have seen girls raising awareness for oceanic pollution, biodiversity, and fast fashion.

Other years are encourage jeans made from discarded shopping bags portraying sustainability d to rethink their designs to be more sustainable. Many girls have been reusing scrap fabrics to make their designs, as well as giving more thought to what fabrics and components they are using. Here are a few of the wonderful designs the textiles students have made. If you want a proper look at the garments tune into the virtual fashion show on Tuesday 6 July.

[1] Vogue Business: Fashion and Carbon emissions: Crunch time.

 

 

Ms Toffoli’s tips:

For students who want to read more about sustainability in fashion, I can recommend two titles – both available from the senior library: