Sustainability has taken the fashion world by storm and is the leading trend for the latest season. From waves of fabric to bold and eye-catching prints, sustainable fashion has grown in popularity across the world, making its way onto the North American runway. Now, fashionistas and eco-conscious shoppers alike can find sustainable style elements everywhere. Read on to find out more about sustainable fashion on the North American runway.
1. Reimagining North American Fashion with a Sustainable Twist
The fashion industry in North America often gets a bad rep for its unsustainable practices. But times are changing, and designers across North America are beginning to realize the importance of sustainable production in an effort to reduce the environmental footprint of fashion. From certified organic cotton mills to innovative textile technologies, eco-friendly fashion is becoming more affordable, accessible, and stylish in North America. Here’s how:
- Organic Cotton: Organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, creating a healthier textile for both consumers and the environment. Many North American fashion labels are now sourcing their fabrics from certified organic cotton farms located in the US, Canada, and Mexico. This conscious choice not only benefits the planet, but also ensures a healthy working and living environment for farmers who are growing the material.
- Recycled Textiles: Recycled fabrics are becoming increasingly popular in fashion production. Designers are using existing textiles to create new items, such as upcycled denim and vintage clothing. This helps close the loop on a textile, giving products another life. Recycling textiles reduces waste, which is especially important in North America, as this is one of the most wasteful areas in the world.
- Innovative Textiles: Synthetic textiles, such as spandex and polyester, are often seen as bad for the environment. But, they don’t have to be. Innovations in textile technologies make it possible to produce synthetic fabrics that are more sustainable than ever before. For example, recycled polyester is now widely used in fashion production. This new material allows designers to create fashionable pieces while also reducing water consumption and waste.
- Ethical Practices: Ethical practices are key to creating a sustainable fashion industry. An important part of this is ensuring safe and fair working conditions for garment workers. Many fashion brands have made commitments to abide by the Ethical Trade Initiative code of conduct, which sets standards and guidelines for the treatment of employees in the production of apparel. By doing so, they are helping ensure that workers are safe and treated fairly while producing high-quality garments.
North American fashion is taking steps in the right direction when it comes to sustainability. With innovations in material sourcing, textile technology, and ethical practices, designers and companies are creating an industry that is more conscious of its environmental impact. So, the next time you’re out shopping for clothes, keep an eye out for those sustainable fashion brands, and help combat the negative effects of fast fashion.
2. Achieving Sustainable Fashion on the North American Runway
With the world’s attention on sustainability, the fashion industry is determined to stay on trend. The North American runway is going the extra mile, going green and designing with eco-friendly materials. Here are just some of the initiatives being adopted by today’s fashion designers.
Designing with Organic and Recycled Materials:
Designing with organic and recycled materials is becoming increasingly popular. A current favorite is recycled polyester, derived from plastic bottles. Many brands are shifting away from traditional fabrics like polyester in favor of sustainable solutions. Cotton is a versatile natural fiber, but it is also highly water intensive to grow. Organic cotton, which uses fewer chemicals and better soil management, is becoming more widely used, especially in eco-friendly lines.
Sustainable Practices Behind the Scenes:
From material sourcing to retailing, sustainable practices are becoming an industry standard. Many labels now have their own sustainability standards, keeping factory emissions in check and ensuring that materials and production processes are in line with their eco-friendly goals. Brands are also reducing water consumption with dry-cleaning and other technologies.
More Mindful Consumption:
The commitment to sustainability has consumers changing their fashion habits. People are buying less, but buying better. The emphasis on quality is one of the clearest signs of the trend towards sustainability. Many North American fashion designers are developing lines that prioritize longevity. Consumers are also opting for natural fibers, sourcing from recycled materials, and shopping second-hand.
Promoting Environmental Responsibility:
Many North American fashion designers are bringing eco-friendly messages and initiatives to the forefront. For example, Ralph Lauren has a yearly commitment to support sustainability, with Earth Day acting as a reminder of its commitment. Likewise, Tommy Hilfiger has a sustainability program in place to reduce its energy and water use. These initiatives are aimed at educating those in the fashion industry about environmental responsibility.
By taking the initiative, North American fashion designers are helping to move the industry closer to more sustainable production methods. With eco-friendly materials, sustainable production processes, and an emphasis on quality, the runway is becoming greener every day.
3. Revolutionizing Clothing Production with Sustainable Designs
Advancements in sustainable designs have revolutionized the modern clothing industry, making it possible to put a fashionable twist on green manufacturing. Here’s how sustainable designs are uplifting the industry:
- Diminishing Waste – Sustainable designs focus on reducing waste in the apparel industry by using less energy, reducing water consumption, and cutting out unnecessary materials and packaging. This helps reduce the environmental impact of fashion, creating a more sustainable clothing line with minimal wastage.
- Synergy with Nature – Organic materials such as bamboo and hemp can be used to design fashionable clothing with a lower environmental footprint. Natural fibers also have anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties, making them ideal for creating sustainable apparel.
- More Affordable – Sustainable designs don’t just help the environment. It also helps cost-conscious customers. Consumers can now buy quality, stylish clothing made with sustainable designs at an affordable price.
Sustainable designs are a win-win for the industry and its customers. Through the use of organic, natural fibers, eco-friendly materials, and reduced waste and packaging, the clothing industry can become more sustainable while still creating fashionable, stylish pieces.
Not only is sustainable fashion aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also more cost-effective and does a lot less harm to the environment. By shifting towards sustainable designs, the fashion industry can also help contribute to a brighter and more prosperous future for everyone.
4. Elevating Eco-Consciousness on the Catwalk
For a long time, the fashion industry has been associated with increasing amounts of pollution, but the tides are now shifting. As environmental consciousness grows, the demand for sustainable solutions is becoming higher and higher. There are many ways that the fashion industry is taking steps to .
- At the beginning of 2020, the Amsterdam based fashion brand, Sosauc edits, debuted their first ever carbon-neutral runway show. Completely powered by solar energy, the brand demonstrated that fashion can be as much a part of a sustainable solution as it is a contributor to pollution.
- More and more catwalks are using recycled materials to create intriguing pieces and collections. At London Fashion Week in 2019, Canadian designer, Angela Cochrane’s collection showcased clothing made from recycled MDF, computer parts and circuit boards. In addition, a number of recycled Levi’s jeans were also repurposed to complement the catwalk.
- In a number of catwalking events, such as New York’s Show Me Your Mumu, natural fabrics such as hemp and organic cotton are more commonly being used, reducing the reliance on polyesters and other synthetics.
- The principles of slow fashion are an increasingly integral part of fashion on the catwalk. Slow fashion is all about creating styles with quality, longevity and sustainability in mind. Rather than focusing on churning out trends of the season, stylish looks are instead based upon timeless pieces that stand the test of time.
The fashion industry is no longer content on playing an accidentally negative role in the environment, and is instead leading the charge for eco-consciousness on the catwalk. The stages of catwalk events provide an ideal platform to showcase the positive steps being taken and are sure to continue to elevate consciousness for the better in the years to come.
Thanks for taking the time to explore sustainable fashion on the North American runway! Whether this is the beginning of an ethical fashion revolution or not remains to be seen. As the industry continues to grow and create sustainable alternatives, one thing is for sure – the future of fashion is looking brighter!
