A Brief History of Sustainable Fashion

By Emily Griffith-Mortimer

The effects of climate change have become more apparent within recent years. According to The United Nations Environmental Programme, the fashion industry alone produces around 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases a year; that’s roughly 8% of humanity’s carbon emissions. With the ever growing demand for action against climate change, the fashion industry has begun to combat this through sustainable fashion. Sustainable fashion practices have been around for centuries, although they were not always referred to as such. Let’s explore the rise of sustainable fashion …

19th CENTURY

It was very common practice for those within low income families to create their own clothing using fabric scraps or hand-me-downs. Other sustainable practices included handicrafts such as knitting, crocheting and lace making.

With housewives becoming factory workers during difficult times, they put their skills to the test to "make do and mend" as global resources became scarce due to the two world wars. Clothing production was of a higher quality, making clothes last a lot longer than what we are used to in the modern day.

1950s

1960s

1940s

As the world started to regain its resources postwar, companies began to heavily market themselves to the consumer. Advertisements were everywhere; magazines, TV, billboards. Mass production was back in full swing and overseas factories made garments cheaper, sacrificing quality for quantity.

Younger generations began to protest against their elders through countercultures such as the hippy and punk movements. Counterculture challenges social norms and values and in the case of sustainability,they brought to light how industries were polluting the planet.These subcultures began creating their own garments from organic materials as well as upcycling old pieces into new.

1970s

The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) was founded by 75 countries. The WFTO is a global community that is committed to promoting and supporting fairer trade practices such as equal opportunities, transparency and accountability and fair pay for all. However, the Fair Trade movement has been an active part in changing the industry since 1946 through the activism of Edna Ruth Byler. Since the beginning of the movement, it has actively improved local economies and business by creating safe work practices that wouldn’t have been readily available to them.

1989

December

31st 1989

The term “fast-fashion” was first used in an article called “Fashion; Two New Stores That Cruise Fashion's Fast Lane” by The New York Times journalist Anne-Marie Schiro. She used the term to describe how fast clothing items were going from factory to consumer after hitting the runway. Although people were becoming aware of the lasting effects of fast-fashion, it wouldn’t be till the mid 1990’s that the matter would be taken seriously.

Kate Fletcher is a sustainable fashion pioneer and has been credited for the use of the word “slow fashion”. Slow fashion is a more mindful and ethical approach to fashion that prioritises sustainability,social justice,and respect for the environment. Fletcher has worked closely with manufacturers within the fashion sector to create business models that promote sustainability. She has even gone as far as planting almost 2 acres of hemp as a material alternative for the UK industry.

2007

2019

The United Nations formed the Alliance for Sustainable Fashion with the goal to change the path of the fashion industry and reduce its negative environmental and social impact. The UN believes that the fashion industry can be a driver in the implementation of sustainability and inspire other industries. Some practices they have already implemented with one being Forests4Fashion, a campaign launched in 2014 to encourage renewable forestry within the fashion sector.

Today, sustainable fashion is a rapidly growing industry, with an increasing demand from consumers for more eco-friendly and ethical clothing. A study conducted by Statista in 2020, showed how a fifth of the UK population were being more eco-conscious by exclusively purchasing from sustainable brands. From recycled materials to zero-waste production, sustainable fashion is evolving and becoming more innovative as we strive to reduce the impact of the fashion industry on the environment .

2023