Let me tell you about a recent shopping experience of mine. Last week I tried on a pair of jeans in my usual size and they were a tad too tight around the waist (after effects of Christmas!) No big deal. I try on the next size up and they are too loose around the thighs. And to top it all off the person in the dressing room next to me has tried on the same pair of jeans and it was as if these were made for this person!
So, aside from the fact that I walk out of the shop a little defeated, the point is that mass produced and one size fits all clothes may produce a lot of waste, not only in the production stages, but also from piles of unsold clothes left behind as they aren’t a perfect fit for most people (like me!)
On the other hand, many of us are tempted by cheap prices and we are buying a 1/3 more clothing than we did 10 years ago! With trends like harem pants and baggy styles with lots of bits of material hanging off, even more material is being destined for a slow death in landfill, not to mention the dyes seeping through and the toxins being released, all damaging the environment.
But there may be hope! Designers are looking at ways to use new technology to design out waste. What does this mean? Basically, designing clothes so less material is wasted and that means less going to landfill. You can explore these new technologies and methods, such as made to measure clothing and making fabrics that are environmentally friendly, and whether they can be used to create style without waste at the ‘Trash Fashion – Designing out Waste’ exhibition at the Science Museum in London.
For more info on other exciting events, internship opportunities and the latest on ethical fashion, visit the news and events section of the Fashioning an Ethical Industry (FEI) website.
No comments:
Post a Comment