WHEN DID SUSTAINABLE FASHION START?
Over recent years sustainable fashion has gained more popularity as consumers become more educated and aware of the effects the industry is having on the planet. However, this movement has been around for many years, with fashion brands starting to incorporate environmental practices in their business models since as early as the 1980’s.
However, there have been several catastrophic events in the last 20 years that have helped to perpetuate the rise of sustainable fashion. The first event that comes to mind is the Rana Plaza Collapse. On the 24th April 2013 the Rana Plaza building, located in Bangladesh, collapsed killing 1,134 people and injuring over 2,000 others. The 8-storey building housed 5 garment factories that manufactured clothes for popular global fast fashion brands. It is one of the worst industrial accidents to date. After this tragedy, the global demand for ethical and sustainable fashion grew and people started to question where their clothes came from.
THE HISTORY OF SUSTAINABLE FASHION
Prior to the 1800’s and the industrial revolution, the fashion industry was al lot more ethical and sustainable than the present-day fast fashion industry. Prior to the industrial revolution, most of our clothing was made from locally sourced materials and manufactured nearby. These garments were typically good quality as they were made to keep for many years.
In the 1800’s clothing became more accessible, along with large scale production, poor quality fabrics and modern slavery.
In the 1980’s fast fashion began to rise in popularity as consumers wanted access to clothing that fit seasonal trends and were affordable to purchase.
One of the very first ethical and sustainable fashion labels was Patagonia, founded in 1973 that produce clothing for outdoor activities and have been a leader in the sustainable fashion movement.
It wasn’t until 2007 that the term ‘sustainable fashion’ was created. The term slow fashion was first coined by Kate Fletcher, an eco-textile consultant and author who defined is as “about designing, producing, consuming and living better. Slow fashion is not time-based but quality-based (which has some time components). Slow is not the opposite of fast – there is no dualism – but a different approach in which designers, buyers, retailers and consumers are more aware of the impacts of products on workers, communities and ecosystems.”
SUSTAINABLE FASHION TODAY
Consumers are more aware than ever before of the impact their clothes are having on the planet. Many consider the supply chain that their clothes were made in and ensure to purchase from a label that aligns with their values. This is great progress to help with the growing need for an alternative to fast fashion and the damage that it is making.