New York Fashion Week brings together the world’s fashion elite for a few days of exciting attraction. Behind this perfection and world of beauty still remains the harsh reality of the fashion manufacturing industry. Low wage, Child labor, environmental degradation, and safety risks. These are some of the main concern of ethical issues that still affecting this sector.
There is no doubt the way we produce and consume fashion has dramatically. We are finally witnessing signs of consumer interest in sustainable fashion.
From Emma Watson, who post her eco-friendly looks, to Reformation, the fashion startup that offers sustainably manufactured trendy clothes supported by celebrities such as Alexa Chung and Taylor Swift.
The luxury brands also making good signs. Kering, for example, announced this year the next phase of its sustainability strategy across its 16 luxury brands. The group has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent in transportation, distribution and energy-related emissions by 2025.
Finally, a high street brand like H&M, which has a strong history of sustainability, is taking its sustainability ambition to another level. The company uses its size and scale to lead the change towards circular and renewable fashion while being a fair and equal company.
H&M has three big aspirational goals: 100% Fair and Equal, 100% Leading the Change and 100% Circular and Renewable.
How did we get here?
The fashion industry is setting out its transformational vision, one brand at a time. The status quo is definitely changing. Influencers and celebrities such as Emma Watson and Leonardo are influencing the social and environmental agenda.
Given the big role they play in that industry, of course, consumer demand is only one factor, alongside others such as increasing investor pressure, as well as managing business risks associated with sourcing raw materials. But the most pressure is from the customer; therefore, eco-consciousness should be also needed from the customer itself.
