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“Last Look” (George in the City) Fashionably Sustainable: Bradley Livingston
As fashion undergoes a transformative shift, we uncover the hidden stories of craftsmanship,
ethics, and sustainability driving change.
Fashion is evolving, and today’s trends go beyond fabric, colour, or cut. As consumers become
more conscious of the industry’s environmental and social impacts, many are looking for
something deeper than what lies between the stitches. This shift goes beyond aesthetics,
encouraging brands to rethink how clothing is made, who makes it, and at what cost to the
planet. From the revival of traditional techniques to cutting-edge innovations in sustainable
materials, the fashion industry is beginning to unveil the hidden stories behind our clothes. But
can these changes make a lasting difference in a field built on fast trends and quick
consumption?
Redefining Fashion From Fast to Fair
For decades, "fast fashion" has been dominated by rapid design cycles, affordable prices, and
seasonal trends. However, beneath the allure of affordability lies a darker reality: environmental
degradation, mountains of textile waste, and unethical labour practices. A new movement
toward ethical fashion is growing, challenging these harmful practices and advocating for a
more sustainable, fair approach.
Today’s consumers, especially younger ones, are increasingly mindful of what happens
between the stitches. They want transparency from the brand's insights into where fabrics are
sourced, how workers are treated, and the long-term impact of their purchases. According to
Stephanie Phair, Chief Strategy Officer of Farfetch, "Social media has enabled a certain
transparency. You can no longer control your luxury messaging within borders.” This new
landscape has led to a shift where brands focus on style and consider their impact on the world.
However, moving away from fast fashion’s exploitative model is challenging. Sustainable
materials, ethical labour, and transparent supply chains often come with higher costs that
brands may hesitate to take on. Despite these challenges, ethical fashion has become a guiding
principle for a growing number of companies and consumers alike.
The Craftsmen Behind the Clothes
At the heart of this sustainable shift is a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship. Artisans
worldwide are returning to traditional techniques of hand-weaving, natural dyeing, and intricate
embroidery that not only create stunning, unique pieces but also help preserve cultural heritage
and artisanal skills.
Consider the work of India’s Anavila Misra, a designer renowned for her handwoven sarees.
Anavila works with rural artisans in India, reviving traditional weaving techniques while ensuring
fair wages and safe working conditions.
This dedication to craftsmanship offers a counterpoint to fast fashion's mass production model,
allowing consumers to connect with the creators behind their clothing. Supporting artisans and
ethical brands means supporting fair wages, sustaining communities, and preserving skills that
might otherwise be lost in a rush toward low-cost production.
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Sarah Hood
Beyond supporting individuals, this movement provides a way for entire communities to thrive.
Brands like Maiyet and ABLE partner with artisans to ensure fair wages and promote a sense of
dignity and pride in their work. By choosing ethical fashion, consumers are helping to protect
that way of life, one stitch at a time.
Innovations in Sustainable Materials
Sustainable fashion is also being shaped by remarkable advances in materials. Textile
scientists and designers are reinventing the materials we wear, replacing traditional fibres with
eco-friendly alternatives that reduce environmental harm.
New textiles like Tencel, a fibre made from sustainably sourced wood pulp offer a lower-impact
alternative to cotton. Piñatex, a leather alternative derived from pineapple leaves, has become a
popular vegan option for accessories and shoes. Companies like Patagonia and Stella
McCartney are experimenting with recycled plastics and lab-grown leather to reduce reliance on
animal products and virgin resources.
However, while these materials offer significant benefits, they come with limitations. Sustainable
fabrics often cost more, making them harder for smaller brands to adopt and for some
consumers to afford. Additionally, the sustainable material supply chain is still developing,
meaning that access and availability can be inconsistent.
Despite these challenges, these innovative materials are helping redefine what’s possible in
fashion. As more brands adopt them, the hope is that costs will decrease, making sustainable
choices more accessible to everyone.
Confronting Greenwashing: Separating Fact from Fiction
Not all “sustainable” fashion is as it seems. As eco-consciousness grows, some brands are
more focused on marketing the appearance of sustainability than making actual changes a
practice known as greenwashing. By using terms like “eco” and “conscious” without real
transparency, they create a facade of environmental responsibility that can mislead well-
meaning consumers.
So how can you tell the difference? Start by looking for specifics. Brands genuinely committed
to sustainability are transparent about their sourcing, labour practices, and environmental
impacts. Labels like “100% organic cotton” or certifications like “B Corp certified” add credibility.
In contrast, vague buzzwords without clear explanations or certifications can be a red flag.
According to an August 2021 report by the Changing Markets Foundation, 60% of sustainability
claims by leading brands were found to be misleading or exaggerated (Eco-Business, August 2,
2021). Educating themselves on how to spot greenwashing can help consumers make informed
choices, supporting brands that are committed to making a real difference. By researching
before purchasing or supporting smaller, transparent brands, consumers can encourage more
brands to adopt meaningful sustainable practices rather than just putting on an eco-friendly
front.
Fashion’s Future: A More Ethical Industry?
While the fashion industry is far from perfect, the push for sustainable practices has opened
doors to significant change. Industry leaders believe that the next decade will be transformative,
with more brands adopting sustainable practices as consumer expectations and regulatory
pressures increase.
Some experts predict that sustainable fashion will become the norm rather than the exception.
Initiatives like circular fashion, where garments are designed to be recycled or reused instead of
discarded, are expected to become increasingly mainstream. “As an industry, we have to
measure our environmental footprint, and at Stella, our goal is to reduce that footprint, not to
replace it," says Stella McCartney, a pioneer in sustainable luxury fashion. "In order to be truly
sustainable in any business, your model has to have self-imposed limitations. We aren’t perfect
by any means, but we are always looking to improve" (Vogue, September 2020)
A New Era in Fashion: Moving Towards Sustainability
Sustainable fashion isn’t just a trend—it’s a new way of thinking about style, ethics, and
responsibility. As we peer between the stitches, we see more than just fabric and thread. We
see artisans, scientists, activists, and informed consumers, all contributing to a new era of
fashion that values the planet and people as much as it values design.
Fashion has always been about change, and this shift toward sustainability may be one of its
most profound transformations yet. With each garment that tells a story of ethical production
and thoughtful design, we’re reminded that what lies between the stitches matters. Sustainable
fashion may still be in its early days, but its impact is already unfolding—one stitch, one choice,
one conscious decision at a time.
“When it comes to fashion, sometimes you don’t
need to talk at all,” says Bradley Livingston, a second-year
fashion student at George Brown College. In the past
decade, topics of fashion and self-expression have become
controversial, as they usually spark an opportunity for
debate over the industry’s contribution to unattainable
beauty standards and unsustainable practices. At 19,
Bradley has created a way to be his ‘unapologetic self’
while still being mindful of his consumption and the
support of reputable brands. In economically stressful times where fast fashion is complicated to not
participate in due to its low prices, it’s still possible to progress through a new era of sustainable,
inclusive fashion.
Growing up in the fashion capital of Toronto, Bradley had an interesting self-journey with
fashion, crediting his primary influence as television and what he was surrounded by in his childhood;
“I give credit to the people around me. Everyone has been quite notably fashionable, especially my
mom - always dressing up with [her] for church every Sunday.” Bradley states that it is crucial to
always remember those who inspired you. By connecting with your interests, you can find your
authentic self-expression through those: “Looking at old family photos… reuniting with your inner
child. That’s what inspires me.” With pop culture at the tip of our fingers, it has become easier to look
for inspiration and delve into fashion. However, that also leaves space for falling into beauty standards
and harmful trends. I asked Bradley how fashion has impacted his self-esteem over the years. He
smiled and said, “This is most definitely my favourite question,” still smiling, he continued, “I’m
going to try my best to answer this question for you to understand correctly: Fashion has contributed a
great deal in filling in the gaps. [Even though] I was never all content with myself, I was still happy
with the fact that I’m not shy with how I dress.” Clothing can be a first step in finding yourself, as it
can be experimented with daily; it can be simple and still say enough about who you are.
With fast fashion being the main topic of the current fashion world, the global climate is not
the only thing that impacts fashion. With the rise of AI, it has become easier for fast-fashion brands to
scan designs by independent designers and sell the
same product for less. I asked Bradley how he feels
about fast fashion and its controversies, to which he
responded, “It does offer accessibility to those who are
less privileged and cannot afford high fashions,” which
is why it is such a complex subject. It’s much easier
said than done to just stop buying fast fashion, as one
may not be aware of the difference, especially with the
normalization of high prices on low-quality items. With
Bradley’s ever-evolving style, you would assume that
keeping up with current trends would mean over-consumption. Still, Bradley has created a routine to
make sure he is careful with his fashion choices. I asked, “What actions are you taking to promote
sustainability and inclusivity within your fashion journey?” he responded, “As much as I love
shopping, I just… don’t. I shop every 4-6 months, which I think gives
me enough time to reflect on the exact things I want, and think about
things that are more important than others in my wish list.” By
ensuring that you are not participating in the quick come-and-go
trends fast fashion has created, there need to be specific goals created
within your own fashion. By learning how to shop, you can ensure an
eco-friendly, fulfilling capsule wardrobe by making a wishlist,
avoiding the temptation to over-buy, and researching the brands you
buy from.
I asked Bradley what he envisioned as our next step in fashion. He thinks it is still possible
for the industry to improve: he responded to this question immediately by saying, “Some men actually
do want to wear heels!” Fashion inclusivity does not just include plus-sizes but also genderless
clothing and what is called the ‘pink tax.’ Already, in times of economic stress, women are more
likely to suffer at the hands of unfair pricing; the ‘pink tax’ refers to the phenomenon where items that
are catered toward women are more expensive compared to male products. Normalizing inclusivity
and genderless clothing can create a path toward equal pricing, which can further benefit the high
prices in fashion we see today.
“What advice would you give someone looking to cultivate their unique style?” I asked as
my final question, to which I got my favourite answer: “Live, dress, do something. Express yourself
today in a way you tomorrow can be proud of.” Throughout this interview, Bradley kept reiterating
how important it is to reconnect with yourself and constantly learn from others. Fashion is never a
consistent path that can always be predicted, and there is also no correct answer to how to participate;
“It takes time, but you can truly get to a state of mind where you can be so unapologetically you
where it repels what is not meant for you.”
