Times are changing! The need to change our shopping habits and think more ethically and sustainable is now more than ever at the forefront of consumers’ minds - Buying less and buying better is the mantra we should be living by. But it’s not just for consumers, the change has to come from higher up the chain.
With the fashion industry expelling more emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping combined, the need for a more sustainable manufacturing process is more important than ever.
Here we look at some of our fashion favs that have sustainability at the heart of their business:
Taking place in early July the Neonyt celebrated its 10th year of showcasing a more sustainable style of clothing at Berlins Fashion Week. All garments included in the show are looked at in terms of the ecological and the social conditions in their supply chain and also in the concept itself.
Designers must prove that their products are produced using sustainable materials and methods so from Nuuwaï handbags that replace 50% of the polyurethane plastic with apple peels to Trainers that are made from renewable materials such as hay, mushrooms, moss, coffee and even ox blood, the fashion week show was crammed with a vast array of eco-friendly fashion alternatives.
Top designers and RNN Comms fav - Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney recently highlighted the importance of sustainability in their ranges.
And, to bring it mainstream, fashion giant ASOS has now launched a new sustainability section to their website dedicated to ethical and fair-trade clothing, allowing customers to choose to browse clothes made from recycled or sustainable materials.
From swimsuits made from recycled plastic bottles to jeans that make a valuable contribution to sustainable cotton production in Africa, more responsible means of producing clothing is becoming higher on the agenda.
But whether this is a fashionable phase, or a maintainable movement is yet to be seen!