Is the fashion industry embracing the challenges of climate change?
2019 was the year that the fashion industry finally woke up to the climate crisis and there has been a shift in the collective awareness around social and environmental issues on a global scale.
Earlier this week, Homebody participated panel discussion at the Istituto Marangoni where we discussed the positive practices and opportunities that this current situation presents and also the challenges and the limits we have seen, experienced to address the bigger picture.
The evening was really interesting partly because I have never been to the Instituto Marangoni situated in my favourite location…Fashion Street! But more seriously because we were discussing sustainability.
This is great news but for Homebody, from our very first collection, making our clothes in as ‘non harmful to the planet’ way as possible, has always underpinned everything we do.
From making our own fabrics from sustainably grown forestry, to working with local British factories to produce our collections and only making limited stock and when we run out , we really do run out, this is how we have been conducting our business for the last twenty years!
The panel that I was delighted to meet included:
Cone denim – a textile brand highlighting denim innovation
Been London – an accessories brand making bags and other items entirely from waste materials
Carbon trust – an environmental consultant advising large companies on improving their environmental sustainable practices
Nu Wardrobe – a clothing sharing app
As the only designer making clothing on the panel, it felt important in front of a large number of young students, to endorse designing with global concerns in mind and I did, on a happier note, point out that thanks to an increased awareness of climate change, it does mean there is also an opportunity for brands that highlight this as a was to open doors that would otherwise remain closed.
It was great to have the opportunity to hopefully inspire the audience on finding solutions to launching a business themselves without harming the planet and to say to them, it is possible with the right business plan, to eliminate the huge amounts of unsold stock that ends up in landfill at the end of a season.
So just as a reminder, what is it at Homebody that makes us a sustainable brand to watch out for?
- Our fabrics consist of a modal blend harvested from sustainable grown forestry.
- Our fabrics are knitted and dyed locally here in the UK reducing our carbon footprint.
- Our clothing is made locally in the UK reducing our carbon footprint.
- Our fabrics are made to order each season and we do not hold stock.
- Our clothing is all made to order and we do not hold stock
- Our clothing is long lasting, both very well made and colour fast and non shrinking.
- Our styles are not fashion led, they are classic original styles that blend perfectly into the wardrobe and will stand the test of time.
Finally, it was great to chat to fellow panelists who are all making our global wellbeing a priority and to hear their journey and how they ended up here today.
I loved hearing about the innovation within denim, this amazing idea to rent clothes as opposed to buy, handbags made from materials that would otherwise end up in landfill and how major brands are taking this crisis seriously. We all need to play our part to save our world for our future and for generations to come