How Does Fashion Matters For Our Planet?

Not too long, fashion became aware of its need to reduce its environmental impact, from cutting down greenhouse gas emissions to tackling issues such as deforestation and microplastic pollution. Recently, though, fashion have a positive impact on the planet such as Burberry, Gucci owner Kering, and LVMH all launching major biodiversity initiatives to restore nature in the past year.

I do believe fashion can have a positive impact.

Regenerative has become something of a buzzword in fashion. In short, it is about renewing our ecosystems in a way that allows them to continue to bounce back-the old and vintage from the linear, in which the industry recently operates and towards a more circular, nature based-system. Fashion is investing back in nature, and in biodiversity.

Surprisingly, so many of our clothes come directly from nature ( cotton, wool, or leather), and a significant role is shifting towards regenerative agriculture practices when it is growing a range of different crops and interesting livestock.

"Regenerative agriculture truly creates the future"

The process of regenerative agriculture is about working in harmony with nature. Increasingly biodiversity, addressing water concerns and everything related to soil health. we can source materials moving forward in a way that potentially gives more than it is taking from the environment. We are constantly pushing forward and figuring out how we can make a better world.

For Hewitt, having a close relationship with suppliers is crucial when it comes to transitioning towards a more regenerative-based system. “We can’t hope to talk about regenerative agriculture until fashion brands understand where their fibres are grown,” she says, adding that collaboration is key. “All of our relationships are partnerships; it’s not about brands dictating how they should be farming or growing their fibre.” Given the breadth of practices that regenerative farming covers, finding a definition that all parties can agree on remains a challenge.

Having a close relationship with suppliers is crucial when it comes to transitioning towards a more regenerative-based system. Beyond regenerative farming practices, material innovators are also working towards creating a positive impact on the planet. Newlight Technologies’s AirCarbon material—a new alternative to leather. It involves marine organisms that convert methane and carbon dioxide into a molecule that can then be melted down.

“And if you can imagine a fashion industry [where] everything was made with carbon that would otherwise be in the air—that’s a really compelling objective.

Significantly, the fashion industry looks at how it can have a positive impact, investing in biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, and bio-based materials will all take time to make a big difference. In the meantime, fashion needs to cut its greenhouse gas emissions and tackle its overconsumption problem.

It is not a silver bullet.

Can fashion truly have a positive impact on the planet?