It’s official: sustainability has become one of the most discussed subjects in fashion today. Be it budding designers, fashion writers or consumers, everyone is taking note of the environmental impact of the fashion industry. But the ethical jargon that surrounds this topic is not easy to navigate. Ahead, we explain what certain terms in sustainable fashion mean.
Biodegradable
A fundamental term when it comes to environmentally friendly resources, biodegradable materials naturally disintegrate and return to nature, rather than remaining in landfills forever. In the fashion industry, non-synthetic fabrics such as organic cotton and hemp are considered biodegradable.
Slow Fashion
The antithesis of fast fashion, slow fashion ignores the current trends, avoids mass production of garments and rather focuses on creating timeless pieces that speak of an everlasting style. Sustainable labels that adopt such practices do so to minimise waste production and often handcraft each garment or accessory, ensuring that no two pieces are ever the same.
Upcycled
If you’ve ever stolen a kurta or a sari from your mother’s closet and repurposed it to be worn as a dress, then you’ve indulged in upcycling clothes. Transforming discarded materials or old garments into new products defines the process of upcycling. Many sustainable labels upcycle their discarded materials to form new collections altogether.
Organic Materials
This refers to natural fibres that are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or other chemical substances. For example, while cotton is the most chemical-intensive crop in the world, organic cotton is produced without toxic pesticides and doesn’t require chlorine bleaching. Hemp, silk, jute and even banana fibres are other organic fabrics that labels rely on.
Greenwashing
This refers to natural fibres that are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or other chemical substances. For example, while cotton is the most chemical-intensive crop in the world, organic cotton is produced without toxic pesticides and doesn’t require chlorine bleaching. Hemp, silk, jute and even banana fibres are other organic fabrics that labels rely on.
Ethical Fashion
Ethical Fashion is an umbrella term that represents sustainable practices in fashion production and design as well as ethical trade and labour law practices. Besides producing goods that have a positive impact on the environment, ethical labels also promote local employment, ensure a transparent working cycle and fair wages.
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