Eco Fashion -- Designing an Environmentally Friendly Future
If you're interested in fashion design and the environment, you may
consider combining those interests into a career in eco fashion.
These days, being green has never looked so good. Eco fashion -- also known
as green or sustainable fashion -- is a movement toward more environmentally
friendly fashion alternatives. That includes clothing made from recycled materials
or from renewable, organic materials like organic cotton, organic wool, bamboo
and hemp.
Eco fashion offers a new interpretation of fashion, says Susan Taber Avila.
She's an associate professor in the design program at the University of California
in Davis, California. Besides using environmentally friendly products, eco
fashion creates less waste during the manufacturing process and discourages
excessive consumerism.
It's intended to communicate the "statement" that the wearer is committed
to preserving the environment, says Fred Ledley. He's a professor and chair
of the department of natural and applied sciences at Bentley College in Waltham,
Massachusetts.
"Today, it is a statement that the wearer is concerned about issues of
global warming and sustainability, is environmentally conscious and committed
to responding in an affirmative manner," he says. "Students today understand
how much their future depends on society responding to environmental threats."
Students who have taken sustainability courses rethink the design process,
says Avila. "Fashion designers can choose materials that are better for the
environment and also make a conscious effort to waste less during their design
process," she says.
"They also can think about better designs that have longevity built into
them -- for example -- clothes that won't go out of style or that have a transformative
ability to change when the wearer wants something different."
Working in eco fashion also means designing beautiful garments that a majority
of people want to wear, says Tina Hofer. She's managing director of Lela Designs,
a company that creates, manufactures and sells eco-friendly clothing.
"The more people that love our clothing, the smaller the environmental
footprint will be," she says. "This type of fashion is becoming more popular
because people are starting to notice that our bad habits are affecting the
environment. Anyone with a conscience will want to change that."
Is Eco Fashion Just a Trend?
Fashion experts say eco fashion is here to stay, but without the hype that
currently surrounds it. They also agree that it's part of a bigger, long-term
trend.
"While the specific look and feel of the fashion may change, it is part
of a much larger movement toward environmental consciousness in everything
we do," Ledley says.
Within the current retail trend for "green" products, people are talking
about "green fatigue," says Lynda Grose. She's a designer and assistant professor
at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco. "Customers are tired
of green claims and green marketing," she says.
"Long-term trends and cultural shifts demand completely new approaches
to product design, including fashion," Grose says.
"It's clear that we are in an ecological crisis. With this increased awareness
comes a need for all of us -- the public, industry, designers and consumers
-- to participate and engage in real solutions," she says.
"This long-term trend favors ecologically and socially advanced processes,
products and systems. It is here to stay, and it will transform society."
Jenny Hwa is the founder of loyale Clothing in New York City. During the
past few years, she has witnessed first-hand the shift toward green fashion.
"The shift to sustainability is something all businesses will eventually
need to make to preserve resources and their profit margins," Hwa says.
"With what people all over the world are witnessing with weather and fuel
prices, in addition to movies such as An Inconvenient Truth, people's awareness
and concerns for the future are vastly more prominent than in the past.
"People want to make a positive difference in any way they can. Eco fashion
is an easy step towards a lighter footprint on the planet."
Parents Go Green Too
Another part of this trend is the popularity of eco fashion for children.
Parents want the best for their families, and they can provide some of that
by purchasing eco-friendly garments, says Jennifer Murphy. She's the president
and founder of Chapter One Organics Inc. in Chicago, Illinois. Her company
produces eco-friendly clothing for babies and toddlers.
"[Parents] want them to look extra cute and to put something safe to their
skin that hasn't harmed the earth," she says. "I love working with babies
and toddlers. They are fun and free-spirited. Designing for them is a lot
of fun, and we are making a difference."
Social responsibility is a large part of eco fashion as well. At Chapter
One Organics, Murphy's manufacturer hires underprivileged women and uses sustainable
materials.
Working in Green Fashion
To work successfully in green fashion, Murphy says you need to consider
the three P's -- people, planet and profit. Look at the fashion that already
exists and make it better, she suggests. Real eco-friendly companies are looking
for young people with passion. And they want designers who are creative and
passionate, she says.
"A potential fashion designer could take advantage of this movement by
using fabrics that are eco-friendly or certified organic," Hofer says. "The
blend of the fabric does not have to be 100 percent eco-friendly if the designer
cannot afford it, but even using a percentage of it will help."
The concept of eco-friendly products is still relatively new to the world.
"By getting involved at this stage and researching your options, you will
still be ahead of the game," she says.
To get started in this field, you can choose to work with environmentally
friendly fabrics and create clothing that everyone likes to wear, Hofer says.
And be honest about the materials you're using, she advises.
"Do your research by looking at what other eco-friendly companies are doing
and model yourselves after them," she says. "Apply for a position at one of
these companies to learn the ins and outs."
An internship at an eco company, whether in fashion or not, is the best
way to get a foot in the door, Hwa says. "Eco fashion companies aren't always
based where you live or go to school, so think outside the box," she says.
"Even if you're sincerely interested in working solely for a sustainable
clothing line, working within other eco categories will greatly add to your
experience and resume."
Other options include working at a recycling center, an organic soap company
or an organic food business, Hwa says. "All of these jobs show your commitment
to the environment and give you necessary skills for the future."
"At school, students should first seek out fashion courses and classes
which integrate sustainability," says Grose.
"Since this is a new field for fashion, whilst colleges are transitioning,
seek out courses on ecological impacts, sustainable design and environmental
science to supplement regular fashion design classes."
Students can also attend conferences on sustainable development and design.
Links
Ecotextile News
Find news on sustainable textiles and clothing
Green America
Read news and features about green living environmentally and
socially
University of California Davis Design Museum
View designers and companies creating sustainable fashion
Lela Designs
Learn more about this eco-fashion company
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