The Fashion Industry’s Battle Against Climate Change
Concerns about the textile industry being a big polluter have become a major part of climate change discussions. Fast fashion—clothes that are cheaply made and quickly go out of style—is often blamed for this problem. According to the UN Environment Program, the textile industry is responsible for about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 9% of microplastic pollution in oceans. To tackle this issue, many brands and events are focusing on sustainability.
In Dubai, the Arab Fashion Council is highlighting eco-friendly designers at Dubai Fashion Week. Some of these designers include:
- The Giving Movement (by Dominic Nowell-Barnes), which launched in Dubai in 2020. It uses recycled materials like plastic bottles, nylon, and bamboo. They donate $4 from each sale to child welfare and humanitarian aid, raising $7.8 million by June 2024.
- Emergency Room (by Eric Mathieu Ritter), started in Beirut in 2018, creates clothes from upcycled materials like old fabrics. In February 2024, they teamed up with smartphone brand Nothing for a sustainable collection at Dubai Fashion Week.
- PIPATCHARA, a Thai brand founded in 2018, makes 100% handmade accessories like bags using plant-based materials and recycled bottle caps.
In March 2024, Paris Fashion Week featured several designers focused on sustainable fashion. Stella McCartney, the daughter of Beatles legend Paul McCartney, showcased eco-friendly designs made with 90% sustainable materials, including vegan leather. Around the same time, Marine Serre displayed her upcycled clothing at Ground Control, a former postal sorting center turned food hall.
In June 2024, Berlin Fashion Week (BFW) partnered with Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) to introduce new sustainability standards for about 35 brands. These guidelines, developed by CPHFW, encourage brands to adopt eco-friendly practices. While CPHFW has been following these rules for three seasons, BFW will slowly introduce them, aiming for full implementation by February 2026.
In August 2024, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kuala Lumpur (MBFWKL) celebrated sustainable and innovative designs under the theme “Re
.” Designers included A-JANE’s Alice Chang, Ellie Lim of EL, Justin Yap, and Celest Thoi. Also that month, Amsterdam Fashion Week (AFW) teamed up with Hyundai Motor Europe. Hyundai is supporting MARTAN, a brand that turns waste from luxury hotels into new clothes. Hyundai will also create a collection using fabric from the seats of its latest EV model, made from recycled plastic bottles.
Published: 21st October 2024
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