In an age where fashion and sustainability are constantly pitted against each other, the emergence of fashion influencers is helping to bridge the divide. Recently, influencers have been taking a stance in promoting sustainable and ethical fashion choices amongst their communities. In this article, we explore the impact of fashion influencers in the journey towards more sustainable fashion.
1. Why Ethical Fashion is on the Rise
With the fashion industry forever in flux, the idea of ethical fashion has gained traction over the years – and for good reason. In order for us to reduce our impact on the planet, ethical fashion is an important consideration. Before, people might have associated ethical fashion with boring, non-stylish pieces. But now, ethical fashion is seen as no longer being synonymous with drab clothing. It has become more stylish and more accessible, with even luxury designer brands incorporating more sustainable and ethical practices within their production processes.
Some garments are now made with cruelty-free materials, such as a faux leather or velvet. It is also becoming more commonplace for businesses to source from transparent suppliers and manufacturers who pay their workers a fair wage and offer a safe working environment.
The introduction of environmentally conscious fabrics such as bamboo and organic cotton has also gone a long way towards giving ethical fashion an increased level of appeal. The development of these textiles has provided customers with the option of choosing fashion pieces that look stylish and, in turn, make a conscious effort to reduce our impact on the environment.
By 2020, the global ethical fashion market is expected to be worth USD $513 billion. This is in part due to the understanding that the choices we make today will have an effect on future generations. Social media has also played a big role, with conscious consumer and influencers pushing for sustainable fashion. This has had a domino effect, encouraging fashion retailers to go the extra mile to produce fashion pieces with sustainability and ethical production methods at the core.
So, when it comes to shopping for fashion pieces, why not consider ethically made items? We have more of an influence than we think, and by choosing ethical clothing, we can help preserve the planet and the people who create the items we love. With so many stylish, affordable and eco-friendly pieces from which to choose, taking the ethical fashion route has never been easier.
2. Fashion Influencers: The Power of Persuasion
The fashion industry is full of influencers – be it bloggers, models, or celebrities – who have assumed a position of power on the internet in terms of monetizing their influence.
From promoting fashion products, to curating wardrobe tips, to styling looks, influencers work on numerous platforms to influence their followers on behalf of fashion brands. Such campaigns present lesser-known brands in the fashion industry with a great opportunity to expose their products to a wider audience.
Fashion influencers also have the power to shape opinions and determine purchase behaviour. This is probably the most powerful weapon of influence in the fashion influencers’ arsenal. By showing their followers what to buy, and what not to buy, these influencers are able to direct their followers’ choices and provide them with invaluable insights.
However, it is important to note that the fashion influencers must always strive to remain authentic. Designers and brands consciously look for influencers whose personalities match those of the products. If they sense an inauthenticity of any kind, fashion influencers risk losing credibility of their followers.
From the perspective of fashion companies, the hiring of fashion influencers as brand ambassadors may open up new markets and help the company build its brand. Many brands have recognised the potential of fashion influencers to generate sales through their endorsement. Not only this, but influencer-led campaigns can act as a catalyst for the brand’s growth.
When working with fashion influencers, brands should invest time into understanding the influencers’ audience, the influencers’ interests, and the influencers’ values. This will give the brands a better insight into whether the influencer’s followers are the right fit for them.
3. Crafting a Sustainable Wardrobe
Having a sustainable wardrobe doesn’t just mean being conscious about your shopping habits and actively researching the eco-friendliness of your clothes. It also means understanding the fundamentals of crafting garments from scratch. Creating custom pieces of clothing for yourself not only guarantees an item which expresses your personal style, but it also reduces your overall environmental impact.
Understand the Foundations of Clothing Construction
No matter if you’re an absolute beginner or dabble in knitting and sewing, taking a refresher on the fundamentals of clothing construction can help you craft items from fabric in more sustainable ways. Learn about materials, pattern-making methods and how to properly measure yourself for a garment.
Choose Sustainable Fabrics to Work With
Part of crafting an eco-friendly wardrobe includes sourcing fabrics which are produced in ways that reduce their environmental footprint. Insect silk such as Ahimsa silk, bamboo, Tencel and hemp are some well-known sustainable alternatives to conventional fabrics like polyester. Thinking of coming up with a DIY project for a special occasion? Select fabrics which are certified organic to have peace of mind that your new garment was made from clean materials.
Upcycle Clothes for Creative Projects
If you’re willing to get creative, upcycling clothes is a great way to boost your sustainable wardrobe in an economical and fun way. Get creative and look for clothes in second-hand shops or even your own closet which you can repurpose into something new. Maybe you can craft a skirt from from a dress or tailor a blazer into a cropped top; the possibilities are endless!
Look into Garment Care and Laundry Practices
One of the most important – but sometimes overlooked – aspects of a sustainable wardrobe is understanding the correct ways to care for and wash your clothes. Follow the tips listed in the care label of your garment before subjecting it to any type of wash. Additionally, avoid overly harsh detergents and chose ones without any bleach, chemicals or nasty toxins. Similarly, hang-drying items can reduce the amount of energy used compared to placing them in the dryer.
4. Wearing the Change: Uniting for an Ethical Future
The future of fashion relies on uniting for an ethical future through collaborations, transparency, innovation and activism – all of which are becoming increasingly important in the design of sustainable and ethical clothing.
Making an impact on the fashion industry means wearing the change. Knowing the origin of each individual item in our wardrobe, including where and how it was made and by whom, is crucial to maintaining an ethical fashion future.
Innovating for Change
It is essential for brands to look at ways to innovate their products to reduce their negative environmental impacts whilst still maintaining high-quality fashion items.
- Recycling of clothing
- Using new technologies to reduce carbon emissions
- Swapping to more sustainable fabrics
- Organic cotton
- Bamboo
- Reducing packaging and implementing eco-friendly materials
Raising Awareness
Raising awareness of the environmental and ethical issues connected to fashion is essential for any impact to be made. By working together, collectively we can make a bigger contribution. From protesting during fashion week to street art and social media campaigns, collectively we can make an impact.
Leading with Transparency
Brands have a responsibility to lead the industry’s sustainability and ethical standards by showing transparency. This includes showing some of their practices and being more open about the complexities faced when transitioning to a more sustainable and ethical fashion future.
Ethical fashion is essential in preserving a sustainable future, and thankfully, more and more fashion influencers are fighting for inclusivity and diversity to help promote the message of sustainability. From looking at how to re-wear and re-style clothes, to offering diverse size inclusivity, these fashion influencers are playing a huge role in helping people make choices that are both stylish and sustainable. Now more than ever, fashion is a great tool for promoting change and positivity within our world.
