The fashion industry has seen an unprecedented boom in recent decades, and the fast fashion phenomenon has gained traction.
Fast fashion pertains to mass-produced clothing manufactured in a short period and are designed to be disposable. The industry is known for its low-cost, trendy clothing that are constructed at a high volume.
It likewise involves the use of synthetic, low-quality materials that are manufactured rapidly with little attention to sustainability. They use synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon because they are cheaper and have a longer lifespan than natural fibers. This results in environmental and social damage.
The artificial materials take hundreds of years to decompose and release microplastics into the ocean, thereby polluting the water and harming marine life. With clothes that are worn only a few times before being discarded, fast fashion produces a significant amount of waste.
The field is the second most polluting industry globally, with 10 percent of global carbon emissions. This consumption culture contributes to landfills and generates greenhouse gas emissions that affect the environment. It consumes more energy than the aviation and shipping combined.
This model of production exploits human labor, degrades local economies and pollutes the environment. In contrast, the traditional model involves clothing production from raw materials to finished products.
In conclusion, the fast fashion industry is damaging the environment at an unprecedented rate, and it’s crucial we start making sustainable fashion choices.
Sustainable fashion is a growing trend in today’s world, and it involves designing, producing and distributing clothing sustainably with the environment, society and business ethics in mind.
Adopting a sustainable approach to clothing production and consumption can assist to reduce our environmental footprint and lessen our impact on society. By shopping smarter, embracing minimalism, thrift shopping, renting clothes and caring for our clothing, we can create a more sustainable future for the fashion industry.
Roxoanne Bagano-Dizon is a fashion designer, entrepreneur and educator. She started Roxoanne Bagano Couture, a wedding atelier in 2011. She is a full-time faculty in the Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Environment and Design (SED). She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in International Business under Benilde School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT).