How to define sustainable fashion and is it possible for an industry standard?

Hey all,

I hope to get some great feedback and opinions from you all here.

I am asking this because of the use of the word within a fashion context (obviously). I have seen many brands claiming sustainability but not actually show it - one in particular is a brand that plants 2 trees for every pair of (leather) shoes purchased and claiming they are the "Most sustainable sneakers" in the world. A lot of people fall for the GREENWASH employed by brands to market themselves as sustainable.

Unfortunately those who want to make appropriate fashion choices were duped into this as well as many other brands and their products are defunct in a matter of months - not very sustainable if you ask me.

But if you look at the definition of sustainability, it is defined as "the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level" or "avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance".

However, looking deeper into what sustainability is, is actually a pillar of 3 equally balanced factors - Social, Environmental and Economic (AKA People, Planet, Profit). All must be in balance for a system to be "sustainable".

Unfortunately, as you all know, the fashion industry is artificially lowered in order for everyday consumer to afford clothing etc. This usually comes at the expense of cheap labor or environmental destruction in order to ensure a brands (economic) sustainability.

Coming back to the point I raised. How do we define sustainability within the fashion industry?

Should a company be ethical (in material selection and labor employed) source materials that have minimal impact on the planet (or reuse the large amounts of waste we currently have) and charge a fair price to the consumer.

But is it really possible?

Is it enough to plant 2 trees and say you are sustainable? Is it enough to be ethically produced but shipped from countries 1,000s of miles away (dont forget the CO2 footprint) and claim to be sustainable. Is it enough to be produced in your home country and charge the ACTUAL costs to produce the garment (with everyone along the supply chain paid accordingly).

Although there are many certificates and organisations that can help you become more sustainable and certify your business activities, should these be purchased and third parties make the sustainable claim for you, or is it just a marketing exercise when one makes a baseless claim?

I am not criticising those who are actually making a difference and contributing towards a healer industry, but there really needs to be a check list/point system in order to base your claims of sustainability.

Submitted May 23, 2019 at 05:38AM by ScatLabs http://bit.ly/2VYgq1K