The fashion world can often be very harmful, both to the environment and to workers. But some brands are working to change that. They’re doing what I consider to be the simple and obvious thing: They’re treating people with respect and dignity, and they’re trying (as best they can) to do so without spraying all sorts of nasty chemicals into our faces or soaking us in a dangerous amount of pollution as we wait for the next train.
When I hear that Sustainable Fashion Week is coming back around, I always brace myself a little bit when I think about how much actual environmental upheaval there could have been taking place over the last 12 months in order for this “sustainable” week even to exist as an event–and not just an event held inside four walls but also one that’s actually being mission-driven instead of PR-driven.
Living an eco-friendly lifestyle allows me to maintain balance and avoid any feelings of guilt or (unkindness) towards myself. The ecological system is in a state of peace when humans are living in harmony with nature, not working against its betterment. When I look at my bank account, I do not see just tithe and tuition; I see the many ways that these sustainable packages offer dividends towards my personal ecology—a sort of “eco-interest” that keeps my planet thriving.
In short, peace comes from living ecologically.
I’ve witnessed many real-life sustainable practice examples that are making a tangible impact. A business in my hometown uses solar panels to power it, and every operation in the natural world seems to be taking small steps toward an invisible “Come As You Are” banner that marks a path toward ethically sourced and sustainable operations. Even seemingly insignificant decisions feel more meaningful when you understand what you’re driving toward, or against. But what feels most relatable, I think, is the variety of life shapes that can embody these practices and lead by example. That business might not have signed up to be an antioxidant831 badge carrier; it’s signing up because it believes this stuff is important, and because harnessing these good practices makes practical sense for its operation.
A local business in my community has just been recognized as one such example on Tuesday (The Future Is Here). Another nearby town also made the dividend report for its own earth-friendly reasons: It was named among America’s “greenest” towns — not only because of those recognizable renewable energy systems but also because La Peña confirmed what environmental groups already knew: This town had been. Nevertheless, Santorum bothers me.
I couldn’t find any data suggesting he worked behind closed doors with homophobic doctors who denied vital care to patients like Elizabethtown billboard Davey. Still, his appearance at an event sponsored by someone (or some company) linked to jobs that presumably took away folks’ access to health insurance coverage while promoting ultimately cheaper alternatives obviously came across as problematic given his past rhetoric on gay rights.
Patagonia stands out for its environmental responsibility; it’s a big part of the company’s identity. The outdoor brand embraces a very motto, “The most loved Outerwear since 1973,” which speaks directly to not only being good at selling outerwear but also doing well by society and the environment. And in keeping with these two beats, you have Patagonia using as many sustainable materials as it can find (hello, recycled polyester!) and having a clear production process that is ultra-transparent, with no secrets kept or told in code.
The UK-based People Tree introduces fair-trade fashion. It makes eco-friendly clothing and collaborates with artisans and farmers to do so. Many will find the use of “eco-friendliness” gimmicky, but what these brands are doing is real: they’re using it as a springboard for sustainable pronouncements that carry some real weight, considering retail climates where most people’s heads (and wallets) already are. And when in the lead role, they vet their suppliers; when not, they work with others who do that for them — like Veja, a French brand that focuses on using various materials in innovative ways to produce sneakers; Thought, which offers eco-friendly tops and bottoms made from bamboo, hemp (yes, hemp!), organic cotton (and does so at reasonable prices), and recycled materials; or even H&M Conscious — its take on fast-fashion sustainability.
To be ethical, one must first understand the materials and production processes involved in putting on clothes. My personal approach starts with looking for organic fibers such as conventionally grown cotton but also hemp, a great natural textile fiber that reduces soil erosion and allows downward permeation of water. Of course, synthetic fibers aren’t always bad: some come from recycled plastic bottles. Both Patagonia and Outdoor Research use recycled polyester in many of their items.
What those two brands (and a few others) have done is use vertically integrated manufacturing processes across different sites, that is to say, they control all aspects of their manufacturing processes themselves instead of contracting out key parts to subcontractors—the bad guys.
Another key factor is transparency in the supply chain. Brands that reveal to us the ins and outs of their factories, along with the labor conditions inside them, foster trust and accountability. Reformation goes a step further: not only does it tell us whom it works with but also provides an almost abundantly clear look into manufacturing processes almost because they’re so bad. Providing these kinds of details enables the appearance of some sort of social responsibility without actually changing much, if anything, for workers. The brand has its reasons (obviously), but at least those are discussed somewhat openly.
There are many clothing brands that can be considered sustainable. For instance, the well-known outdoor brand Patagonia emphasizes using recycled materials in its products and stands out as a company committed to reducing negative environmental impacts. Overall, the work of this brand signals a shift toward environmentally friendly practices—a shift producers hope will help cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and Joule equivalent carbon emissions (i.e., 1,300 gallons of water saved per 100 yards of Recycled Polyester Ripstop fabric). Another positive step is taken by Veja, a sneakers manufacturer based in France, that uses wild rubber from Amazon rainforest land inline property certificate holders and even Phelps’s signature visit-to-visit offshore factory tour destinations, that produce Adidas-like sneakers at what it says are fair wages.
There are many great sustainable fashion brands to support—like People Tree, which not only uses sustainable materials but also ensures fair labor practices in its production process. And then there’s Patagonia, a brand that’s totally dedicated to promoting environmental responsibility; it even has an excellent program for recycling old clothing and turning it into new products. Following sustainable fashion brands’ lead can enrich not just the environment but also society as a whole. Does this make sense?
