Recently, we collaborated with our dear friend and sustainable fashion brand, Earthshine Apparel. Earthshine Apparel utilizes high quality organic/sustainable fabrics and low-impact dyes to create conscious clothing that's made to raise your frequency and awaken your inner goddess. A one-woman show, Devin Rose individually designs, hand produces, & hand dyes beautiful custom clothing with the environment in mind. Our collaborative photoshoot highlights the two main models for a sustainable fashion brand.
For the sake of simplicity, we’ll call these two sustainabliltiy models Secondhand and Organic. Secondhand fashion will include recycling, upcycling, purchasing secondhand & vintage. Organic fashion will describe handmade garments from organic textiles and eco-friendly natural dyes. The need for sustainable fashion stems from the ethical dilemmas posed by the fast-fashion and textile production industries.
Textile production has significant environmental implications that impact ecosystems, natural resources, and contribute to various forms of pollution. There are many socioeconomic & human rights issues at the heart of textile production as well, but here we will focus on the environment.
The environmental effects of textile production are associated with several stages in the production process:
Fiber Production:
Conventional Cotton: Conventional cotton production is often associated with the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which can harm ecosystems, soil, and water quality. It also requires significant water resources.
Synthetic Fibers: The production of synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and acrylic involves the extraction and processing of fossil fuels. This contributes to air and water pollution and is associated with greenhouse gas emissions.
Dyeing and Finishing:
Chemical Usage: The dyeing and finishing processes involve the use of various chemicals, including dyes, fixatives, and finishing agents. The discharge of these chemicals into water bodies can lead to water pollution and harm aquatic life.
Water Consumption: Dyeing processes require substantial amounts of water. In regions where water resources are scarce, excessive water usage can contribute to environmental stress.
Energy Consumption:
Manufacturing Processes: The overall manufacturing process, including spinning, weaving, and knitting, is energy-intensive. Energy derived from non-renewable sources contributes to carbon emissions and climate change.
Transportation: The global nature of the textile industry involves the transportation of raw materials and finished products over long distances, contributing to carbon emissions.
Waste Generation:
Textile Waste: The production process generates waste in the form of scraps, trimmings, and defective products. In fast fashion, where production volumes are high, the amount of textile waste can be substantial.
End-of-Life Disposal: Discarded clothing and textiles that end up in landfills contribute to environmental problems. Some textiles may take a long time to decompose, and as they break down, they can release harmful substances.
Land Use and Biodiversity:
Cotton Agriculture Impact: Conventional cotton cultivation often involves large-scale monoculture, which can lead to soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and increased vulnerability to pests and diseases.
Land Conversion: The expansion of agricultural land for fiber cultivation can contribute to deforestation and habitat loss.
RECLAIMthreads and Earthshine Apparel are perfect examples of the two aforementioned models of sustainable fashion. RECLAIMthreads focusing on recycling, upcycling, and vintage garments that already exist in the fashion economy. While Earthshine Apparel produces new garments in the most conscious way possible, using sustainable organic fabrics and natural dyes.
Here’s a simple breakdown of these practices:
Secondhand:
Recycling: clothing items or textiles are collected and processed to create new products. This may involve breaking down old garments into raw materials that can be used to produce new handmade items.
Upcycling: focuses on transforming discarded or unused materials into new products, giving them a new purpose or value. In fashion, this can involve repurposing old clothing or fabrics to create unique and stylish items.
Secondhand Shopping: involves purchasing secondhand clothing items from thrift stores, consignment shops, or online platforms. It promotes the reuse of garments, reducing the demand for new production.
Vintage: involves the use of secondhand clothing and accessories, typically from past eras. Choosing vintage items extends the lifespan of garments and contributes to a circular fashion economy.
Organic:
Handmade: involves crafting clothing and accessories through manual processes, often by skilled artisans or small-scale producers. This model emphasizes quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a slower, more intentional approach to production.
Organic Textiles: utilizing materials that are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or genetically modified organisms. Organic farming practices are more environmentally friendly and promote soil health.
Eco-friendly Dyeing: Using environmentally friendly dyeing processes, such as water-saving techniques or natural dyes, reduces chemical pollution.
Both of these models contribute to the principles of sustainable fashion by addressing key issues such as reducing waste, promoting reuse, and choosing materials that have a lower environmental impact. Consumers interested in sustainable fashion can DIY or support businesses that promote these values. These choices align with the broader goals of creating a more sustainable and responsible fashion industry.
Visit EarthshineApparel.com to see all of Devin Rose's beautiful creations <3