The magic of simply fabric

Fashion is always chasing innovation, change, and new technology to solve the issues that the industry has created. But maybe humans already had it right, and we already have the solution to the climate issues caused by the Industry. Like everything else, the answer can almost always be found in history.

The biggest issue for sustainability in fashion isn't production. I'm not saying production is sustainable; fibre production, dying, and transformation, in fact, directly impact the environment. But it all comes down to the fibres at the end of the day. The most polluting thing within a garment's lifespan is the garment afterlife. Countless landfills and destroyed ecosystems caused by second-hand fashion and the rate at which we consume in the Western world cause irreparable damage to the climate.

 

Landfill in Chile’s Atacama dessert 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtGhWZEtyhY/?img_index=1&igsh=MTlraTV5MTkyeHQ1eg==

From a genuine point of view, the real solution would be lowering consumption so that everyone only wears what they need. Unfortunately, living in late-stage capitalism, reducing our consumption will not happen from a psychological standpoint. 

So we need to think back to historical garments and how every garment made isn't currently plaguing our earth, except those made within the past 200 years.

The magical reason is fibre. Synthetic fibres found in our clothes are toxic to the environment and, to most people's disbelief, poisonous to humans. Previously, everything was made with natural fibres, which decomposed pretty quickly. 

Rayon, polyester, and nylon are all made directly from nonrenewable resources that do not decompose, and we are currently seeing the consequences of that.

Historically, natural fibres were successfully used to produce every garment people wore until the 1930s, when nylon was created. These natural fibres have superior properties, durability, and decomposing ability. And why was the switch made? It all comes down to capitalism and the search for the highest profit margins, which weren't possible to hit because of the complexity of producing natural fibres.

Yet these fabrics are the solution to our current problem of endless landfills. They decompose over a much shorter time while rejuvenating the earth since the natural element re-enters the soil.

Also, natural fibres are significantly more expensive, and as everyone knows, the more money you spend on something, the more likely you are to use it constantly and value its place in your life. We can curve the need for constant positive reinforcement through clothing by developing clothing that lasts and stays as good as new. 

We must not forget the health aspect and its importance. Synthetic fabrics and their dyes are harmful to humans and have been proven carcinogens.

Historically, natural fibres have been used repeatedly, from the Vikings to the Indigenous population of Canada, who survived on leather and fur as a means of dressing. Even before the French Revolution, hemp was the most used fibre because of its endless growth, strength, and durability, creating garments that lasted a long time. 

We have all the solutions at our disposal; it is just a matter of slowly making the sustainable shift as a society, starting with the companies pushing for and prioritizing natural fibres.

There a beautiful thing!

https://www.fiberjournal.com/natural-fiber-composites-a-practical-guide-for-industrial-utilization/