Most individuals on this planet have discovered that our very world is crumbling before our eyes. Most of the world today is divided into two notions: developed and developing countries. Unfortunately, due to lack of awareness throughout the past years, our world is suffering from global warming. There happens to be a lot of factors that tie into why our world is dying but this article is going to look at just one of the many issues’ society faces today.
For those of you who aren’t aware, in 2016, Ecowatch has reported that the apparel (clothing) industry is the world’s second largest polluting industry! I know what you’re thinking, how?! Most of society doesn’t realize just how polluting-air, water and land wise-the fashion industry truly is. This article goes deep into the actual issue with why the fashion industry is disruptive to our environment as well as who is working towards fixing the fast spiral of destruction.
The fashion industry wasn’t always so harmful to the environment. There was a time where clothing was made strictly out for the need for it as opposed to having multiple items ready at your disposal. According to a September 2017 editorial by author Namanpal Singh, the major change came about in the 1900s and occurred due to over 20 million sewing machines being produced from factories worldwide. Mary Boni of 3DInsiders has reported that due to a need for blue & grey military uniforms in mass numbers for WW2, this event initiated the Mass Production in the Apparel Industry. The September 2017 editorial author Namanpal Singh also went on stating that in the year of 1915, the world seen a major change as the fashion industry grew to becoming the third largest industry in America. Whereas in Canada, Mary Boni of 3DInsiders has reports that the apparel industry contributed 2.2% to the manufacturing gross domestic product. It wasn’t until the late 19th century where department stores introduced an idea that would allow consolidating large amount of mass-produced consumption to occur according to Namanpal Singh. Since then, mass production in the fashion industry has caused havoc to our world. Rotem Taitler, an author at 3D Insiders has researched and found that endless amounts of unused and unsold clothing clutter the environment as well as found that manufacturing companies dispose of their waste to prepare the garments in unethical ways. A research from this same author states that 84% of unwanted clothing end up in the garbage in the US alone! As years went by, society is finally starting to see just how detrimental the fashion industry is not only to the environment but the individuals that must work in this extremely fast pace environment. This is when the idea about Sustainable fashion came into play.
Sustainable fashion has been around a lot longer than most people think. Freelance Digital Marketer Solene Rauturier has reported that the whole concept started in the 1960s where the Hippie revolution took to the streets with rebellious movements by embracing natural fabrics and becoming the first anti fashion group. This movement was continued and evolved into the Punk and Gothic era where this group also rejected the traditions practiced in fashion. Instead, they created a niche for second-hand/vintage garments. In the 1980s is when the Anti-Fur Movement came into play. However, it wasn’t until the 2013 devastation that took place in India where the Rana Plaza collapsed is when the world realized just how terrible the apparel industry got. The world is still new to the concept of Sustainable Fashion but an individual by the name of Francesca Abony that resides in Toronto, Ontario is one of the many individuals taking live action to cause a disruption in the fast fashion industry.
It was a fine autumn Thursday afternoon when I got the chance to speak with the one and only Francesca Abony otherwise known as an upcoming Toronto fashion icon that has a strong passion for Sustainable Fashion. Since August 2014, Francesca has been disrupting the fast fashion industry by becoming the cofounder of one of the few rental dress companies in Toronto by the name of ‘I Love Goldie’. As Francesca was on her way home in Toronto’s lovely rush hour traffic, I had the opportunity to have a short but detailed phone interview. Once I got a hold of Francesca, I didn’t waste any time and got to questioning. I began with a question inquiring about observations on a noticeable disruption in the fast fashion department. This was a question that Francesca answered with passion and grace. “Oh 100%, I find the new students are very excited about the movement. I’ve also noticed that major competitive companies such as Zara and H&M are marketing poly sustainable/fake ads which is quite irritating” I continued the interview with asking how much (% wise) of society do you think would switch over or be more in favour of sustainable clothing. Francesca slightly laughed under her breath then stated, “Since I’ve started ‘I Love Goldie’, I would say 25%, it could be better” I go on to inquire about individuals that want to start their own Sustainable Fashion line and let’s just say, Francesca got very passionate with her answer. “I would ask exactly what the reason you’re starting it. The point of sustainable fashion is that we have too much fashion… too much shoes, too much clothes, too much of this shit! Sustainability is an easy concept, if you’re going to start a brand, it better be worth something because you’ll just add to the waste.” Ding ding ding, and there you have it! You heard it here first ladies and gentlemen. The Sustainable Fashion industry is a disruption because the mission statement alone is vastly different from the traditional reasons to starting a clothing brand. Lastly, I end the interview with asking where Francesca sees herself and I Love Goldie in the next 5-10 years. You could tell in Francesca’s tone that she had began to smile as she began to answer. “Operating out of a large warehouse(s) in either Los Angeles or New York as well as working in the film industry.” I don’t know about you but if, sorry-when Sustainable Fashion hits the film industries, I think that is when and only when we, as a society, have truly mastered a disruption in the fashion industry.
In conclusion, Sustainable Fashion has always been in the background scenes of fashion but as of recently, there has finally been a disruption that could forever change the fashion industry as we know it.
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