Author: hrm305

Link to Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1iNvMvz7Ji-ptSl8qfeCjFiyNxah_8k8OSF8iZecHM0g/edit?usp=sharing

Reflection:

For our Topic Presentation, our group researched existing sustainable fashion practices. We started our research by doing a general google search on existing sustainable fashion practices. We read a number of articles and company websites/advertisements and eventually got an idea of the areas of sustainable fashion practices. We tried to ensure that we found examples of sustainable practices in all levels of the fashion cycle, from design and production, to advertising, consumer use, and disposal. After doing all of our research and taking notes on it together as a group, we created our presentation and each worked on refining a section of the presentation to present. 

Overall, I found our topic research quite interesting. While we have learned about a number of sustainable fashion practices through our readings and class discussions, we also found some other practices which seem to have an exciting future in sustainable fashion. For example, 3D printing is currently used not only to make fibers and raw materials, but is also being innovated to be used to make clothing directly by individuals.

One of the challenges I found while doing this research and presentation was attempting to narrow down our findings into a concise and limited list under defined sections. There are currently so many (hundreds, likely) of sustainable fashion practices, that it was somewhat difficult to sort what the most popular, most effective, and most relevant ones were. Although this was somewhat challenging from a presenter point of view, it is encouraging as a whole for the bright future of sustainable fashion practices.

While reading the process of EF’s steps toward sustainability, I was impressed by the company’s embracement of companies such as BlueSign Technologies and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certification. The BlueSign Technologies company “provides safe products, safely produced for the human and the environment,” while the Oeko-Tex certification ensures that the safety of clothes has been checked with testing to ensure safe pH levels. The fact that EF willingly sought these certifications shows that the company actually cares and transparency and sustainability in the production of their clothing. It seems that often in the current fashion industry, many companies claim to have a sustainability focus, however they rarely seek these sustainability certifications and partnerships, bringing up the question of their true commitment to true sustainability. 

The Green Eileen program by the EF company supported women and girls by donating the profits from recycling clothes to programs for these women. This policy, along with the company’s focus on environmental sustainability through saving of water, forest conservation, carbon offsetting, etc, shows that the company put sustainability and ethics above mere profit. These values are something I appreciate in a clothing company, and it seems to me that the EF business model can, and should, be a model for the future of sustainable fashion. 

In her text, Hethorn argues, “When aesthetic and functional concerns are fully addressed within the design process, the possibility for fashion  to sustain people comes into focus” (56). I appreciated Hethorn’s argument that sustainability should start with a focus on the individual in regards to the design process. She argues that when aesthetic and functional concerns are met for the individual, sustainability is an easy next step, as people are more likely to cherish and use these garments long-term. I have seen examples of this in my own wardrobe. I have a jacket and a number of shirts that I bought many years ago, but still use regularly today, as they are both functional and fashionable. 

In her section, “Looking Good: Expressing Visual Style,” Hethorn argues that, “for design to be relevant to the human condition, it has to have a value beyond its purchase price and style, a lasting value that relates to human existence; significant, timeless, affective, ethical, and sustainable, enhancing our lives and identities” (61). Here, the author argues that good design is more complicated than just a garment’s outward style. Instead, good design has a deeper meaning for the consumer, whether that be its timelessness, ethical-nature, sustainability, etc. I agree that these aspects should be the focus of design, however it seems that in today’s fast-fashion world, purchase price and style really are the priorities. Perhaps the way to remedy this is to design, as Hethorn suggests, on an individual level that gives more meaning and attachment to clothing. This might encourage consumers to put more thought into the sustainability of their clothing.