see you there, --alok

Is Sustainable Fashion an Oxymoron?

I know that I act hypocritically. I claim to support sustainable fashion, while the sheer number of clothing items I own is unsustainable and I admittedly participate in a culture of mass consumption. In this first blog post of mine, I would like to address the question on everybody’s mind: if you care so much about the environment, why are you holding a fashion show, when fashion so fundamentally contradicts environmental consciousness? We are holding this fashion show because fashion can be sustainable, and the industry’s high level of environmental impact and unsustainable nature makes change in this industry all the more important.

Much of the world’s fashion tastes require continuous, conspicuous consumption and waste production as old fashions make ways for new ideas. Dwight E. Robinson has described how the creation and projection of trends, from an economics point of view, stems from the desire to demonstrate control over limited resources of production (e.g. raw materials, labor, capital), and the fashionable continually must change their wardrobe to demonstrate their affluence. From the most idealistic American (individualistic, egalitarian) perspective, fashion represents variety, exploration of beauty, and constant movement. The current understanding of fashion is defined by unsustainable abundance.

It is fashion’s fundamentally unsustainable nature that makes its conversion to sustainability so important. English designer Katherine Hamnet recently claimed that the effect of change in the clothing industry would have more impact on climate change “than if the entire world signed the Kyoto agreement.” While politicians play hard-to-get on climate initiatives, consumers can begin to have an impact. A truly sustainable fashion model would require three fundamental changes:

1. When buying new clothes, chose durable items made in a more sustainable manner
2. Buy fewer new items. Instead, purchase used and remade clothes, rent seldom-worn clothes, or remake old clothes
3. Consume less

The first and second changes are the focus of the show. We will show you how easy and fun shopping sustainably and making your own clothes are, and present some great designs. These two changes alone can go a long way towards reducing the pollution of the fashion industry, and even if the third requirement is impossible, there is no reason not to go ahead with the first two. These changes do not require the redefinition of fashion.

However, in order for fashion to be truly sustainable, the average consumer must own fewer items of clothing and cycle through them more slowly. Textiles can only be remade and recycled so many times before fibers simply disintegrate. Producing enough clothes for the next generation of fashion consumers, considering population growth and increased standards of living in much of the world, will be environmentally irresponsible if the current level of consumption in developed countries pervades. As my own closet testifies, this change will not come easy and I do not pretend to know where to begin. It is so much easier to tell you what you can buy instead of what you can refrain from buying. I will not pretend to have a professional opinion, but I can speak from experience as a former consumption addict. First I refrained from shopping alone, only entering a store as a social activity with a group of girlfriends. Soon I found that other social activities were more fun anyways, and now I usually head to the beach rather than the mall. I also have stopped buying anything, no matter how cheap it is, unless my heart longs for it and I cannot help but wear it out of the store. With these changes, my rate of apparel consumption dropped dramatically.

We are full of suggestions about simple actions anyone can take towards promoting fashion sustainability. Usually, they address the way we acquire, maintain, and dispose of clothes. However, in this blog post I suggest taking action with regards to your relationship with your clothes. The beginning of this process is an appreciation for that which we already own. So go into your closet, any put together a killer outfit. Perhaps make use of something you haven’t worn in a while, or wear a familiar item of clothing in a new way. Put it on, feel proud, and be grateful that it’s yours.

Sources:

Claudio, Liz. "Waste Couture: Environmental Impact of the Clothing Industry." Environmental Health Perspectives 115 (2007): A449-454. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 1 Sept. 2007. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. .

Epiro, Stephanie. "Woman on a Mission." Daily News Record. BNET, Aug. 2005. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. .

Robinson, Dwight E. "The Economics of Fashion Demand." The Quarterly Journal of Economics 75.3 (1961): 376-98. JStor. Web. 24 Nov. 2009.

reinventing the "dress" shirt

Here is a new concept for fashion conscious men -- the dress shirt. Sustainable. Edgy. Fierce?

I'm feeling kind of tired of traditional dress shirts for men (long sleeve, button down). Yes, they can be sustainable (there are hordes of them at thrift stores like this...)

but there's something unsatisfying about them. So, during Spring Break I ventured to the local Goodwill in my small town in Texas. I found an absolutely horrid 80s school dress -- black & white, ugly floral details, wrap around belt, and huge shoulder pads. I purchased this dress ($13) and cut it in half. I ripped off the floral detailing and made it a shirt.

What do you think? Could this be the new gender-bending direction of men's "dress" shirts?

-Alok

Seen at Stanford: Bianca Dang

Bianca Dang, Class of 2013

Bianca's look is completely sustainable. She takes a huge XL Men's shirt (obtained from a second-hand store) and makes it a dress with a belt recycled from an old dress.

Seen at Stanford: Spoken Word Collective

Spoken Word Collective,

well versed in sustainable fashion.

Yaa Gyasi, Class of 2011

Yaa's look is chic, simple, and sustainable.

She pairs a gray thrift-store cardigan and a low white v-neck with dark wash skinny jeans.

Sam Pressman, Class of 2011

Sam got his jacket in a thrift store in New York.

Sam's look pays homage to an old-school vintage pattern and color palette. It is warm yet a bit funky when paired with his hair. His jacket makes his outfit seem positively rebellious.

This is sustainable stylin' in action.

Lyla Johnston and A-lan Holt, Class of 2011

Lyla purchased all of her outfit second-hand. All I can say is, mugger chic. This is how you show attitude at Stanford.

A-lan purchased her green blazer at a thrift store in Europe. She pairs it with a colorful v-neck and ties it all together with a black belt & leggings. She exudes sustainable style & confidence.

Raina Sun, Class of 2013

Raina the bottom part of a dress and affixed it to a black t-shirt to make her outfit. She pairs the green, geometric pattern with the demure black top successfully. Her look is creative, unique, and quite hipster.

Oh, hipster. [my favorite]

Stay tuned for more sustainable fashion around campus! -Alok

Welcome!

Welcome to the Sustainable Fashion Show Blog!

My name is Alok and I will be posting blogs related to the intersection of fashion & sustainability to get you excited about the upcoming show. There is no other active fashion blog like this at Stanford. I hope to search around campus and find looks worn by Stanford students to feature on this blog.

What is Sustainable Fashion?

Sustainable fashion, also known as eco fashion, is part of the growing design trend of sustainability whose goal is to create a system which can be supported indefinitely in terms of environmentalism and social responsibility. Sustainable fashion is part of the larger trend of sustainable design, where a product is created and produced with consideration to the environmental and social impact it may have throughout its total life space. Fashion designers are now re-introducing eco-conscious methods at the source through the use of environmentally friendly materials and socially responsible methods of production.

How is fashion hurting the environment?

According to Earth Pledge, a non-profit committed to promoting and supporting sustainable development, "At least 8,000 chemicals are used to turn raw materials into textiles and 25% of the world's pesticides are used to grow non-organic cotton. This causes irreversible damage to people and the environment and still two thirds of a garment's carbon footprint will occur after it is purchased"

How can you be more sustainable with your fashion?

Purchase eco friendly clothing, make new clothing from old clothing, and purchase clothing from vintage and thrift stores. To find out more about sustainable designers and trends visit: http://www.ecofashionworld.com/