From Inception to Evolution: The Sustainable Fashion Journey

How sustainable fashion has charted a new course for the industry, promoting transparency, equity, and responsible resource usage.

Are you interested in sustainable fashion and want to discover how it originated and evolved over time? In this article, we will take you on a journey through the past, present, and future of this movement that is attracting more and more people. We will explore the environmental movement and the profound impact works like Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" have had on it. We will uncover how concepts like sustainable development and philosophical influences have shaped the approach to sustainable fashion. Additionally, we will delve into the role of pioneering companies and research agendas in promoting more responsible fashion. This article invites you to reflect on the style choices you can make to contribute to a more sustainable future. If you're ready to explore the history and challenges of sustainable fashion, keep reading!

1. The Origins of the Sustainable Fashion Movement and the Book "Silent Spring"

Sustainable fashion has deep roots that intertwine with the modern environmental movement, and a fundamental starting point to understand its evolution is the book "Silent Spring," written in 1963 by American biologist Rachel Carson. This work, considered visionary for its time, clearly revealed the severe pollution associated with the use of agrochemicals in agriculture, highlighting the harmful consequences for the environment and human health. Carson's message raised awareness of the importance of preserving nature, fueling an ecological awareness movement that also reached the fashion industry. To this day, the book remains a fundamental reference point in the debate on the environmental and social impact of fashion, prompting critical reflection on the industry's production and consumption practices.

2. The Impact of Human Actions on the Environment and Sustainable Development

In the years following the publication of "Silent Spring," there was an increasingly in-depth investigation into the impact of human actions on the environment, with a specific focus on the effects of industrial activity. It is in this context that the concept of sustainable development emerged, coined in 1987 in the Brundtland Report, which played a crucial role in the sustainable fashion debate and its impact.

The concept of sustainability, however, turns out to be much older: in all oral cultures preceding European colonization, from Australia to Africa to South America, there was the idea that humans were guests of Nature with the task of taking care of it and delivering it to future generations in a state equal to or better than that inherited or entrusted by the ancestors. In many of these cultures, nature, its resources, and animals are "subjects" and not objects of appropriation and exploitation, as unfortunately Judeo-Christian culture, then fatally supported by subsequent scientific discoveries, imposed on all humanity.

Through the concept of sustainable development, the importance of meeting present needs without jeopardizing the resources and opportunities of future generations was emphasized.

In the context of fashion, this meant a profound reflection on the entire life cycle of products, from their design to production, distribution, use, and disposal. The goal was to find consumption and production models that minimized negative impacts on the environment and society, favoring resource conservation and regeneration, pollution reduction, and respect for human rights.

The concept of sustainable development laid the foundation for action in the fashion sector, pushing for the adoption of more responsible and sustainable practices. The fashion industry became aware of its environmental and social impacts, initiating the search for innovative solutions and collaborations among brands, producers, consumers, and non-governmental organizations.

Subsequently, the emergence of the concept of sustainable development paved the way for the creation of standards and certifications, such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for organic textiles, allowing consumers to identify products made in a more sustainable manner. Furthermore, it stimulated research and innovation in the field of materials and technologies, promoting the adoption of more eco-friendly alternatives and reducing the use of non-renewable resources.

3. "Green" or "Eco" Themes in Fashion and Textiles

What Are "Green" Themes in Sustainable Fashion?

"Green" themes refer to concepts, ideas, and concerns related to the environment and sustainability. In the field of fashion and textiles, "green" themes include a focus on responsible resource use, reducing the environmental impact of production processes, adopting eco-friendly materials, recycling and waste reduction, as well as promoting fair working conditions throughout the production chain. In essence, "green" themes represent a commitment to more sustainable fashion, taking into account the social and environmental implications of the entire life cycle of products.

The Key Role of "Green" Themes in the Development of Sustainable Fashion

In the 1990s, "green" themes began to gain ground in the fashion and textiles sector, bringing about significant transformation. During the 1992 Earth Summit, known as the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, sustainability concepts were introduced into the fashion field. This event marked a crucial turning point, as it generated greater environmental awareness in the industry and laid a solid foundation for future sustainable initiatives. During this conference, issues such as the environmental impact of the fashion industry and possible solutions to mitigate negative effects were widely discussed and explored.

Attention to sustainability gradually gained momentum, prompting companies and industry professionals to reflect on their practices and consider new, more responsible production and consumption models. This moment of awareness marked a significant turning point in the history of sustainable fashion, paving the way for further progress and changes in the industry.

4. Principles of "Green" or "Eco" Fashion

The principles underlying "green" or "eco" fashion are based on various philosophies and theories that have had a significant impact on the approach to sustainable fashion. Arne Næss's Deep Ecology, with its emphasis on the deep connection between humans and nature, has influenced the conception of fashion as an integral part of the global ecosystem.

Fritjof Capra introduced the concept of a holistic view, highlighting the importance of considering the interdependence of systems in the process of clothing production and consumption. Ernest Callenbach, through his book "Ecotopia," provided insights into more sustainable and nature-harmonious fashion. Design theorist Victor Papanek emphasized the importance of responsible design, taking into account social, environmental, and ethical impacts.

Additionally, the feminist movement supported the interconnectedness of humans and nature and promoted the ethics of care as a central element in sustainable fashion. Theorists Carolyn Merchant, Suzi Gablik, Vandana Shiva, and Carol Gilligan contributed to a feminist understanding of human-nature relationships in the context of fashion, highlighting the need for an ethical perspective that includes respect for nature, social justice, and responsibility to future generations. These philosophical and theoretical influences have shaped the approach to sustainable fashion, promoting values of environmental awareness, equity, and social responsibility.

5. The Spread of the Sustainable Fashion Movement

In the 1990s and early 2000s, the sustainable fashion movement involved many brands, with a particular focus on the impact of fibers, textiles, and the origin of materials used. Concurrently, other companies began adopting a sustainable approach, contributing to the widespread diffusion of sustainable fashion in the industry and paving the way for a broader transformation towards sustainability. This trend pushed the entire industry to take more seriously the need to adopt responsible and eco-friendly practices, creating a significant shift in the fashion landscape.

6. Focus on Responsible Consumption and Research on Sustainable Fashion

Alongside the evolution of the movement, a specific research agenda on sustainable fashion developed. This agenda focused on topics such as resource efficiency, brand and designer practices, and the radical redesign of the fashion system, including the challenge of overconsumption. Subsequently, in 2019, the founding of the Union of Concerned Researchers in Fashion supported the advancement of radical and coordinated research to address the challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.

Conclusion: Illuminating the Path to an Eco-Conscious Future

The history of sustainable fashion represents a journey of awareness and change, from its roots in environmentalism to the research agenda and emphasis on responsible consumption. This movement has had a significant impact on the fashion industry, paving the way for transformation towards sustainability and laying a solid foundation for a more eco-conscious future.

From its early mentions in Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" to today, sustainable fashion has evolved thanks to the efforts of brands and designers who have emphasized environmental impact and material selection. The principles of "green" fashion are based on philosophies like Deep Ecology and a feminist understanding of human-nature relationships.

Today, sustainable fashion continues to grow, bringing inspiration and the spread of projects and initiatives aimed at resource efficiency and the redesign of the fashion system. This journey has led to a new awareness in the industry, with fashion committing to preserving the environment, promoting social equity, and responsibly addressing global challenges.

Sustainable fashion is an invitation to more conscious consumption, where quality, ethics, and durability become fundamental pillars of style choices for our wardrobes. Looking to the future, we can expect increasing awareness of the importance of an industry that harmonizes with the environment and society. Sustainable fashion still has much to tell and offers a vision of a future where fashion becomes not only a means of personal expression but also a tool for respecting ourselves and our planet.