Group items tagged

A housewares store in New York is displaying sustainable garments created by CFDA fashion designers. Some of those designers received awards for having a business that is at least 30% sustainable. I think it is great that these eco friendly garments are being featured in such a cool, unique way and the fact that they are recruiting and honoring CFDA designers who have created sustainable garments shows that the fashion industry recognizes the importance of going green.

It is no surprise that cotton is not the most sustainable fabric due to the amount of water used to produce this beloved textile. A panel of experts in fashion and sustainability sat down to discuss how attainable true sustainability can be achieved in the fashion world. This article provides a link to a very interesting discussion on the topic. definitely worth watching!

This second article is about how this year in New York fashion week, sustainability was also a new trend. But for different designers and brands sustainability means different things, like being ethical or using environmentally friendly products. It really all depended on the designers and their definition of sustainability.

I have read about people trying to get more information on tags so consumers can make their own decisions. I think people do have different definitions.

Ecouterre is a website that promotes about eco friendly fashion, designers, and technology. The idea is to inform the public about the advances being made in sustainable fashion. There has also been a new certificate developed that encourages fashion brands and retailers to recycle waste and become more sustainable. Consumers are able to use the certificate to see how their purchase is directly impacting the environment. I think this certificate is such a great idea. Being able to directly see how one's purchase is affecting the environment will definitely encourage more people to shop at retailers that utilize the certificate. 

The eco-friendly fashion company Edun, run by Bono and his wife, and Diesel are collaborating on a collection that will promote sustainability. All of the garments will be created in Africa, where both companies have programs and charities. I admire the fact that both companies have found a way to give back to and sustain the environment that their garments are coming from. I also appreciate the strict guidelines that Edun holds itself to. I would love to see more fashion brands follow similar guidelines when producing their garments. 

A Minnesota fashion group has created a set of standards for sustainable and "green" fashion. The group hopes to better put the consumer at ease by informing them of the strict standards that are carried out to ensure their garment is ethically made and environmentally sustainable. The group offers their certification requirements free of cost to the designer so it is not difficult or expensive to attain for companies just starting out. 

A set of standards is a good idea. The USDA can set organic standards but most of the environmental harm is from the chemicals used on the textiles later in the cycle.

The designer of the olympic torch has partnered with the fashion powerhouse Louis Vuitton to create a torch that is both sustainable and intriguing. Not much is known about the torch so far, however it is exciting to see fashion pairing with the olympics.

This article doesn't really apply to my fashion major, but I found it so interesting. It talks about how skateboard have become the leading cause of maple deforestation, even beating out other large sectors like furniture! Bamboo is becoming a more sustainable option for the construction of skateboards because it grows quickly, does not need to be replanted after it is cut down, and helps prevent erosion. Bamboo farms are also helpful in reducing greenhouse gases and producing oxygen.

I would like to see more about the studies that found skateboards the leading cause of maple deforestation. I find that difficult to believe.

Fashion retailer H&M has been named the biggest user of organic cotton for the second consecutive year. Their increase in the use is part of their plan to use more sustainable cotton in their clothing lines by 2020. The company has been using certified organic cotton for the past 8 years and their clothes are clearly labeled to inform the consumer of their informed choice. 

But the cotton is probably not from the U.S. Only 1% of U.S. cotton is organic.

A workshop was created and being offered free to anyone in Manchester to turn their old clothes and accessories into a new, updated and trendier article for their wardrobe. It encourages consumers to prolong the life of the clothes they purchase instead of disposing them. I wish a workshop like this was offered around here, it sounds like a lot of fun.

It seems like an idea that would be popular in the US. I bet it would be well attended in Boston or San Francisco.

This article talks about the recent partnership between Greener Fields Together and Sureharvest and how this partnership is important because their mission is to effect continuous, measurable, independently verified sustainability improvements in the fresh produce supply chain.

This article talks about the clean water video that was produced last year and how its aim with the strategic alliance of the FISA and the WWF is to educate rowers and fans about the importance of the sport to the global environment.

This article go into detail on the most sustainable sports stadiums in the world. It includes the 2012 Olympic Stadium and the New Meadowlands stadium in New York. When building the new Meadowlands Stadium their plans were to, "reduce air pollution, conserve energy and water, improve waste management and reduce the environmental impact on construction."

over 50 sports teams plan to increase environmental sustainability

The fashion industry is looking to improve how they manufacture textiles to make them more eco-friendly. They use a lot of chemicals in the making of textiles that harm the environment. They began using soy fiber and Tencel. Even though Tencel uses chemicals during production the chemicals can be reused many times. Tencel fibers are also biodegradable! 

I need to read more about the Better Cotton Initiative. Good article!