What is Sustainable Fashion? - Sustainable Fashion, also called eco-fashion and ethical fashion, involves the design and manufacturing of clothing, home furnishings and other textile products in a sustainable manner that takes into account any environmental and socio-economic impacts. The goal is a system that protects the environment, causing minimal to no harm, and promotes social responsibility and ethical treatment of workers.
Sustainable Fashion involves all stages of the product's life cycle from design; selection & production of raw materials; manufacturing;
dyeing/finishing; sewing/assembling; packaging/storing and transportation, and disposal. It may include the use of recycled materials and components; reuse of wastage; and, the careful use of natural resources, such as water, land, soil, plants and animals. From a socio-economic perspective, there is a responsibility to maintain ethical working conditions for workers in the field, the factory and the office, including complying with best practice methods and applicable codes of conduct.
The consumer also has responsibilities: to stay educated and maintain awareness of sustainability issues when making purchases; avoid short-term fads that drive fast fashion; properly caring for and repairing clothing to extend its life; and, recycling, repurposing and donating old garments. You can also let companies and manufacturers know that stainability is important to you, and join organizations that promote sustainability.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
ECO-GLOSSARY Learn terms such as carbon footprint, fast fashion, transparency, recycled & upcycling. Glossary Link
UNIVERSITY RESEARCH
Read below about university research programs involving advances in sustainability, cutting edge textile products & technologies.
Neolast™ - Celanese and UnderArmour announce the development of a more sustainable alternative to spandex/elastane stretch fabrics.
FABRICLINK NETWORK TOP 10 TEXTILE INNOVATION AWARDS - These awards recognize technical & sustainability advancements that advance performance or expand product applications. Review Award Winners Here
NEWS RELEASES - Read recent press releases on sustainable products & technologies, an learn what's new in apparel & textiles.Read the News
CERTIFICATIONS Learn about the various Eco-Certifications & Standards for textiles.
GET INSPIRED & WRITE YOUR OWN SUSTAINABILITY STORY!
Do your part: stay educated and be aware of sustainability issues when making purchases; avoid short-term fads that drive fast fashion; properly care for and repair clothing to extend its life; repurpose and donate old garments. You can also join organizations that promote sustainability & environmental protection.
Helpful Hints & Connections:
How to be a Smart Shopper - Be educated; read labels, know who's making your clothes & what they're made of; avoid buying clothes you may only wear a couple of times.
10 Tips to Make Your Clothes Last Longer - Learn: What to look for in well-made clothes; How to sort, wash & dry items, Remove stains; and, hang & store clothes.
25 Environmental Organizations & Agencies
Get involved and sign up with one of the active notable environmental organizations currently working for green causes, including wildlife preservation, land conservation and climate change prevention.
NEWS & VIEWS
3D printing method may make smart fabrics washable
Research from Washington State University has demonstrated a 3D ink-printing method for smart fabrics performs well after repeated washing and abrasion tests.
Read more…
Water-repellent textile finish research uses cottonseed oil
Much work in the textile industry is happening regarding removing PFAS and formaldehyde from finishes to create greener alternatives.
Read more…
Tensioned textile lamp could lead to smart fabrics in cars
The lamp features a stretchy tensioned textile that turns on the lamp when pressed and adjusts the intensity and light temperature based on the location & strength of a person’s touch.
Read more…
How demand for tailors is rising in the US
Demand for professional sewers, dressmakers and tailors is growing in the US. Problem is, many are retiring and there are few to replace them
Read more…
Cephalopods influence soft robot research
University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers are developing a material that could one day be used in sensors and soft robotics applications.
Read more…
Heated apparel for dogs and their owners
The Koldpwoof Heated Dog Vest features four heating zones that target the dog’s shoulders and back, with overheating protection.
Read more…
Telavalue finds textile waste is a billion-dollar business
It’s an opportunity for European countries to work together on establishing the continent’s recycling ecosystem.
Read more…
Man Gives Designer His Late Mother's Clothes. The End Result Leaves Internet in Tears
He realized there is a gap in the market, one that could be filled by reworking people's old clothes or fabrics into new designs.
Read more…
Not Wallpaper, Not Paint: The DIY Accent Wall Idea That's Much More Unique
A fabric-covered accent wall could be an ideal solution, a straightforward DIY project that will give you that unique look to really make the wall stand out.
Read more…
Researchers synthesize polyester from safer BPA alternative
A team of chemists, data scientists, toxicologists and material experts at KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University wanted to find safer alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA).
Read more…
