On average, an American throws away 102 lbs of clothing and textiles every year.³ At this rate, America alone is projected to throw away over 33 billion pounds of clothing and textiles over the course of this year alone. That means designs are drawn up, produced, and shipped out weekly. Fast fashion providers have split what was a two season per year market (Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer) into 52 micro seasons. The apparel industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions¹.Ĭurrently, the apparel industry is a $3 trillion global industry.² The United States’s share of the market accounts for almost a full third of the global total. Natural fibers simplify sustainable design and they simplify sustainable habits. Clothing made with natural fibers have a longer product lifespan, are easier to care for and clean, and are biodegradable. Natural clothing will facilitate the shift to sustainable fashion. The alternative is natural fiber fabrics. They have better alternatives to these plastic fabrics. High end labels line their jackets with nylon and sell polyester dresses at luxury prices. Brands at all price points use synthetics such as polyester, polyamide, nylon, and acrylic. What’s more, is that it isn’t just fast fashion relying on synthetic textiles. Trend setting media encourages buyers to pick up a new outfit just for one event, and at such low prices, the habit is enticing. The fabrics and construction used to make these pieces are not made to last, nor are they intended to.

Retailers spit out 52 fashion seasons a year – a significant increase from the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter cycle.

Unfortunately, the trend right now is buying more product and more often. Fossil fuels are used to create synthetic textiles as well as for fuel in manufacturing and chemicals used in processing and finishing treatments. In order to keep up this pace, the apparel industry has turned to the oil industry. With the rise of fast fashion, the clothing industry is churning out clothing and accessories at a haphazard rate. The clothing industry now outpaces itself. Thus, sustainable fashion must be approached through both design and habits. From consumers we need to see consumption slowed, clothing cared for, and higher standards demanded. From designers and producers we need to see sustainable materials used and sustainable methods employed. But in order to catalyze and sustain the shift, we need to approach the fashion industry from both sides: the creators and the consumers. Sustainable fashion isn’t a trend, it’s a shift in the way we design and consume.

Natural Fashion by Hans W. Silvester