5 Things We Learned from the Sustainable Fashion Panel

Ditch on quick buys that don't last with these top tips
5 Things We Learned from the Sustainable Fashion Panel
December 12, 2019   |    In Partnership with Napapajri

Cyber Monday is a day synonymous with hitting online shops and sites in search of the hottest deals. However, its fast-paced nature goes against the sustainable style of production and consumption that many are championing.

To generate a conversation in favour of a more ethical style of fashion, Napapijri and BALANCE hosted a panel discussion on how to shop ethically and consciously, without sacrificing style.

Our sustainable panelists for the night were:

• Teleica Kirkland – Associate Lecturer at London College of Fashion & Founder/Creative Director, CIAD
• Elisabetta Baronio – Sustainability & CSR, Napapijri
• Laura Balmond – Project Manager, Make Fashion Circular @ Ellen Macarthur

An inspiring evening was had by all, so here’s the top five things we learned:

1) Swapping the disposable nature of throwaway fashion for a more sustainable, circular economy is crucial

“In order to create a circular economy, we must firstly get more longevity out of the clothes that we already own. Going forward, from the outset, we should be designing clothes that can easily be made into clothes again, and ensure that any new materials going in come from safe, non-toxic, renewable resources.’’ – Laura Balmond

Less than 1% of materials used in the fashion industry are taken into account when it comes to the design process. As consumers, it’s our duty to ask questions about how we can add longevity to a product’s life – how do I continue to use that? If I don’t love it, then how can I keep it in use?

2) Clothes can be broken down better if they are made using fewer materials

“The fewer the materials, the easier the recycling process becomes’’. – Elisabetta Baronio
Time to check your labels. Clothes are often made up of lots of different materials, which makes breaking the product up into parts for recycling a difficult task. Products like Napapijri’s Infinity Jacket are made entirely of one material, and can therefore be regenerated easily. Its monomaterial composition and dedicated take-back program ensure that Infinity will be recycled at the end of its life.

3) Considering the social impact our clothes have is a crucial measure of sustainability

“It’s important to be able to understand who is making your clothes, and how they are living. Humanising the whole process is key.’’- Teleica Kirkland
Rather than scouring your usual high-street haunts for a Christmas present for that fashionable friend, how about supporting ethical designers and fashion labels that place high importance on looking after their factory workers, and giving back to local communities?

4) Throwaway fashion has left us buying clothes at an ever-increasing rate

“In the last 15 years, the amount of clothing produced has doubled, whilst the actual use of our clothes has decreased by roughly 40%.’’ – Laura Balmond
In short, as a society, we are guilty of filling our baskets before we’ve fully exhausted the extent of our wardrobes. The best way to tackle this? Simply buy less.

5) Better representation is needed in the sustainable industries

“The clothes are a reflection of the creative team that designed them – so get people who are diverse in the office’’ – Teleica Kirkland

The slow-fashion movement has been no stranger to cultural appropriation – with white women in neutral kaftans, posing with plants becoming a firm favourite homepage image. To make sustainability mainstream – it has to be accessible, so combat that hipster stereotype by employing people who, dare we say it, aren’t hipsters. Designers reflect their own image in their work, so assembling a diverse creative team is crucial to the future of fashion.

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