When you hear of the word “fashion,” some of the things that come to mind are style and trends. However, the fashion industry involves a lot more than glamour, style, and trends. What many people consider to be fashion are usually the end product of different processes that put the fashion industry together. One of the most important factors considered by the fashion industry is the efforts of promoting ethical fashion. Morally right fashion refers to sourcing, manufacturing, and designing clothes that have maximum benefits to the fashion industry and society. Ethical fashion can also be described as morally right and acceptable style.
Topmost flaws of promoting eco fashion
Many factors are hindering the promotion of upright fashion. Some of these factors are caused by nature, while others are caused by stakeholders in the fashion industry. Sustainable fashion involves the entire process from sourcing raw materials to the consumer’s final usage of a product. Therefore, ethical fashion is affected by factors at all these stages. Here are some common hindrances to the success of eco fashion.
Cultural influence and appropriation
The world is rapidly changing, and so is the fashion industry. Many fashion designers borrow different cultural elements to come up with new ideas. In most cases, indigenous members of these cultures oppose these ideas. In such cases, fashion designers get accused of misappropriation of cultural heritage.
Advertising and consumer overconsumption
In the modern world, many people tend to express who they are through fashion. The need for new designs and a growing number of fashion enthusiasts has led to the emergence of new lines of cloth. Although some people consider it harmless, others claim that the rise of new cloth lines encourages mindless consumerism. The primary goal of an advertisement is to increase sales. However, some fashion brands go the extra mile to persuading people to buy items that they might not need. In most cases, the new fashion is advertised as better than older fashion, which might not be accurate.
Environmental impacts and considerations
The extraction, transportation, and processing of raw materials in the fashion industry has a significant impact on the environment. For instance, the production of cotton fabrics uses a lot of water, which might not be enough for both the industry and other consumers. Many synthetic materials are from petroleum. The use of petroleum products generates a lot of carbon, which is the leading cause of global warming. In some cases, fabric processing plants do not consider the environmental impact when disposing of the waste. Some factories dispose of untreated water back in rivers, posing a threat to the health of people that depend on them. When non-biodegradable waste products are deposited on land, they affect the productivity of the soil and the surrounding environment.
Poor working conditions and counterfeits
Many globally renowned fashion items are from giant companies where people are working under challenging conditions. For instance, some corporations producing raw materials such as cotton expose their workers to harsh conditions. Some workers in processing plants get exposed to chemicals that can cause health problems. When one talks ethical fashion, it does not only imply the responsibilities of manufacturers. There are many counterfeit products under big brand names in the world. The existence of fake products damages the reputation of fashion brands and generally affects their sales.
Conclusion
Other factors that may hinder the promotion of upright fashion include lack of inclusivity in the fashion industry. This is where minority groups are left out on essential aspects concerning the fashion industry. Also, the lack of inclusivity is seen when brands overprice the best items in the market. This leaves out the majority of people and creates a status gap between those who can afford and those who can’t.