KEY WORDS: fate of design ,innovation, fast fashion, zero waste
INTRODUCTION
Renaissance ushered in the rationalist human who was filled with logic, wisdom, acquired knowledge through observation understanding and constantly endeavored to make his life better, human race has never looked back since then. Keen observation and understanding reflects in fashion and aesthetics presentation. But as we say everything comes at a price this phenomenal rise has its serious pitfall. It has resulted in irreparable loss to the environment. The obsession of the world in making themselves appear brighter, lovelier with glitz and glamour’s cannot be a contentious issue but its ramifications definitely in fashions is the second most wasteful industry and that is definitely a cause of great concern.
The different dimensions of fashion clothing, footwear, accessories etc. has generated sufficient chemical waste. The mass production consumptions is threatening the environment. So, we can say that fashion industry too is no different when it comes to creating degradation of the environment, the most important feature – clothing is the biggest culprit in this. A single garment generates a huge carbon foot print. A garment manufacturing entails several sections ranging from from fibre production, weaving, dying, stitching production involves use of pesticides in cotton, jute later toxic dyes further aggravates the problem. The manufacturing units also add up to the pollution landfills of wastes of discarded clothes destroy the beauty of landscape apart from pollution threat.
The increasing demand leading to vast production at times over production which is a result of new demands of styles by trendy, fashionable people results in serious problems. The increased chemical waste during production, waste from worn discarded or donated clothes cannot be ignored. Clothing is only a part; rest too has to be considered. One such probable solution is clothing, recycling. But clothing recycling efforts endeavors cannot keep up with garments production. So, the recycling process should be doubled up.
Another likely step could be use of biodegradable materials for clothing. Even then considering the mass level of production the cost of recycling such a large volume could out weight its benefits. Use of biodegradable material is keyfittingsolution to synthetic fibres. Moreover, in the face of “FAST FASHION “this could also hold an important key to environmental upgradation. So, we have to upgrade the technology involved in recycling the biodegrable material and make it more cost effective, fast, quick more efficient.
The other likely and interesting step towards sustainable fashion is to dissolve old clothes to make new fibres. This could be an option to water intensive cotton production, saving our fragile water reserves. Thus, could alley our fears of deteriorating declining underground water reserves.
Technology is always on the move, changing faster than we can also hold a key to sustainable fashion.
They are clothes imbibed with technological element that interact with the wearer. The shirts infused with technology allow deaf wearers to experience music. This will provide more satisfaction to the consumer. Other technological devices fitted in shirts can cut down production of these things. There are instances where technological devices like chargers in shirts have been used to recharge cellphones.
All the major economies of the world are trying their best to user in an era of sustainable fashion. There have been collaborations between design schools and large companies to think of ways and means which could lead to advances in design, improve aesthetics and most importantly upgrade , develop technology for environmental benefits.
The fashion industry should adopt a proactive measure to highlight upon issues of waste management – specifically in their own arena. This fast-growing industry- be it apparel, textile accessories should focus on technologies to reduce waste. Notwithstanding mass production, mass disposal too should be highlighted upon. The fashion aggravated pollution has led to increase in greenhouse gases which has threatened our survival.
So, technology should be used to repurpose, respecify and reduce fashion waste. Our collective survival on this planet depends on sustainable fashion. Another way is online shopping. This has dramatically led to lower carbon footprint. Clothing rental services is yet another method to avoid wasteful buying or keeping our wardrobes stacked. Cutting down or reduce washing can also reduce the carbon footprint. This would save both water and lessen the number of microbes washed out in washing machines.
Therefore, it becomes imperative to utilize technology to design products with purpose which are good for environment, they should also be aesthetically pleasing and affordable. It is good to be trendy, stylish, affable but it is more important to be an environmentalist, a person who carries the concerns of environment with elan. Its only sustainable fashion that holds the key to our further grooming.
SOURCES: www.businessoffashion.com
fashionunited.in/fashion
www.nytimes.com/section/fashion
