Eco-fashion and Sustainable Materials in Fashion: from Jeans and Sneakers to Evening Dresses

In recent years, environmental issues have become a pressing concern for the entire world, and the fashion industry is no exception. Eco-fashion is not just a trend, but a necessity to make our planet more sustainable and healthy. In this article, we will explore eco-friendly materials and their use in fashion, as well as the impact of this trend on the fashion industry.

First, let's define what eco-friendly materials are. Eco-friendly materials in fashion are materials that are produced with minimal impact on the environment. These can be materials that are made from recycled materials, as well as materials that can be easily recycled or repurposed after use.

Clothing made from eco-friendly materials is becoming increasingly popular in the fashion industry, including all segments of fashion, from jeans and sneakers to evening gowns. Let's take a look at some of the most popular eco-friendly materials:

Organic cotton - this is cotton that is grown without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. It is safer for the environment and for people working on farms.

Tencel - this is a fiber made from wood cellulose fibers. Tencel production consumes less water and energy than cotton production and is less polluting.

Recycled materials - these are materials that are made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles or old clothing. This allows the use of existing materials and reduces waste.

Recycled polyester - this is a material that is made from recycled polyester. The production of recycled polyester consumes less energy and water than the production of new polyester.

Bamboo viscose - this is viscose made from bamboo, which grows quickly and requires minimal amounts of chemical fertilizers or water to grow. The production of bamboo viscose requires less energy than the production of viscose from wood fibers.

Linen - this is a plant that is grown without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and does not require large amounts of water.

Modal - this is a fiber made from wood cellulose, produced with minimal impact on the environment.

Fabrics created based on mushrooms - mushrooms contain natural adhesives that can be used to create various fabrics.

Seaweed - some companies have started to use seaweed to create new materials such as bioplastics and textile fibers.

And these are just some examples of innovative eco-materials that are being used to create clothing today. Scientific research in this field continues, and we can expect even more amazing and innovative materials in the future.

The use of eco-friendly materials in fashion has great potential to reduce the industry's negative impact on the environment. For example, the production of one conventional cotton t-shirt consumes about 2700 liters of water, while the production of one organic cotton t-shirt consumes only about 450 liters of water. This means that using organic cotton can reduce water consumption in clothing production by 83%.

Making one pair of regular jeans can require up to 7000 liters of water and a large amount of energy. About 23% of water pollution worldwide is related to the textile industry. In addition, clothing and footwear production is responsible for about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Just imagine!

For example, using recycled polyester instead of new polyester can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32% and waste by 88%.

Fashion brands and designers are increasingly paying attention to eco-materials and eco-fashion. Many brands have been preferring eco-friendly materials for quite some time. Here are some of them: Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, Stella McCartney, Nudie Jeans, Reformation, and many others use organic cotton, recycled polyester, Tencel, mushroom leather, and other eco-friendly materials. Major brands such as Adidas and Levi's have also introduced collections based on eco-friendly materials.

According to a McKinsey & Company survey, eco-fashion accounted for 3% of the fashion market as early as 2021, but it is expected to grow to 10% by 2025. This is a positive trend and supports the growing interest in sustainability in the fashion industry. However, there are also some challenges associated with eco-fashion. The production of eco-friendly materials can be more costly and complex than the production of traditional materials, which can lead to higher product prices. In addition, not all eco-friendly materials may be available in large quantities, limiting opportunities for mass production. There are also concerns that some companies may use the term "eco-friendly" for marketing purposes, but may not actually do anything significant to reduce their negative impact on the environment. Therefore, it is important not only to pay attention to the use of eco-friendly materials but also to the company's overall environmental strategy.

Despite the challenges, the use of ecological materials and the development of eco-fashion represent significant potential for creating a more sustainable fashion industry and reducing its negative impact on the environment. As consumers, we can also contribute to this process by choosing products made from eco-friendly materials and supporting brands that are taking steps towards more sustainable fashion.

By Anna Volos

Sources: "The State of Fashion 2022: Navigating uncertainty," The Business of Fashion. "Sustainable Fashion: A Practical Guide for Brands," Vogue Business. "2023 Fashion Industry Trend Forecast: Sustainable, Digital, and Diverse," Euromonitor International. "Fashion’s Eco-Friendly Future," The New York Times. "2022 Sustainability in Fashion Report," Global Fashion Agenda.