Mother Earth is desperately in need of protection. Human beings have harmed the Earth immensely already. Emitting large quantities of carbon into the atmosphere of the Earth, making certain species extinct from the surface of the Earth, and depleting some rare natural resources are to name a few. Every step that we take ought to be eco-friendly.

How could fashion be left out under such circumstances? It is necessary for designers and fashion product manufacturers to indulge in eco-friendly and sustainable fashion for the betterment of humanity. This measurement is necessary from a long-term perspective. Countries are increasingly adopting this concept and working in accordance.

The global fashion industry has evolved considerably in the last five years. Apart from the traditional fashion biggies like the US, France, Italy, and the UK, emerging fashion markets have also cropped up like India, UAE, South Africa, Russia, Singapore, and Brazil. They all serve the fashion industry well, but from the looks of it, they have not been able to serve Nature equally well!

Manufacturers are only concerned with the raw material. They hardly take note of the exploitation imposed on animals in order to obtain the raw material. Animals, especially cattle, are brutally skinned alive, cut open, or electrocuted to make leather out of their skin. Sheep, foxes, rabbits, dogs, and cats are reared under miserable conditions for fur.

Reptiles like snakes, alligators, crocodiles, and turtles are tortured to satisfy the exotic skin industry. Designers make use of these exotic skins without bothering to find out whether the supplier used ethical measures to obtain them. Stingrays and sharks are captured and slaughtered for their skin. They are getting extinct because of this practice.

Recycled accessories like handbags, jewelry, and even clothing can be considered eco-friendly. They look elegant and are cost-efficient, as well. But how much of a sincere effort has been made in order to promote the use of recycled fashion products? In fact, not even sufficient awareness has been created by manufacturers and designers towards their use.

Many manufacturers claim that they make and supply organic products. But not all are genuine. Customers are willing to pay higher prices for organic products. In order to obtain higher prices from ignorant customers, companies label ordinary clothing and accessories as organic when the products may be quite far from being organic!

While talking about the fashion industry, one can simply not avoid talking about cotton. Cotton makes use of the most hazardous and poisonous insecticides and pesticides during cultivation. Surveys reveal that only 2.5 percent of the total cultivated land in the world is consumed by cotton, but it consumes 16 percent of the total insecticides used.

USA leads all other countries when it comes to hosting fashion shows. It hosts more fashion shows in a year than any other country. Apparel and accessories are used like anything! Very few brands or designers worry about the environmental aspect while hosting these shows.

France has been a traditional fashion market since ages, unlike many other countries which saw an upsurge in their fashion industry in the last two decades. But the problem is that not many designers care to combine fashion with ethics. Some leading brands may be striving to achieve this goal, but France still has a long way to go.

Nature and eco friendliness has remained an integral part of Indian culture since ages. But when it comes to the fashion industry, eco friendliness takes a back seat. A considerable chunk of the Indian population is unaware of the concept of eco friendly fashion. Manufacturers and designers may hardly try to educate them either.

"I feel people, regardless of their position should advocate for a cleaner world, a healthier world. Our world, our future is in our hands to better on a daily basis. Let's teach our children well, however, let us all know we must take an active role ourselves," comments Sandra Davidoff, Director of Corporate Public Relations, Aqua Green.

It is necessary for the global fashion industry to be environment friendly. In this era of global warming, taking little precautions can make a considerable difference. Every step that the fashion industry takes will contribute to the overall well being of Mother Earth. In fact, every fashion show should have something or the other for eco friendly fashion, regardless of the theme.

 

References:

1. Grailresearch.com
2. Actionforourplanet.com
3. Saffronwinds.com
4. Ota.com
5. Greenlivingonline.com

 

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