Can Technology Help Fashion Clean Up It's Act?

The constant, ever-changing world of fashion has run into some recent issues regarding increased chemical and material waste due to mass production. Due to popular stores who utilize fast fashion, such as H&M and Forever 21, these issues are continuously growing. Because these store produce massive amounts of clothing for a cheap price, people's closet turn-over is occurring more often than it used to. In my personal opinion, because fashion is constantly evolving with changes in trends season to season, consumers are quick to throw away old trends and buy the new ones. Everyone feels the need to stay "in style." Fast fashion has become the second most wasteful industry in the world, right behind the oil industry.

So, the question is, where does technology come into play?

On the topic of chemical waste, there are several companies that are making changes to their production using new technologies and inventive fabrics. Designers such as Eileen Fisher, Stella McCartney, and Ralph Lauren are beginning to use organic textiles, which reduces water and carbon waste. Levi's is taking steps to inform their customers address the impact of textiles on our environment. The company now "dissolves old clothes to make a new fiber that the company uses in its jeans – an alternative to water-intensive cotton production.' (Mancini)

Also, textiles are taking and turn and evolving in development as well. Smart textiles are being used now in garments. Garments used with smart textiles contain technology that interacts with the person wearing it.

What does the future hold?

In 2016, two exhibits displayed the collaboration between fashion and technology- the Museum of Fine Arts’ #techstyle and Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Manus x Machine. Although these pieces were not directly accessible or purchasable for the public, they offer an insight into what is possible for future sales in retail stores. It shows consumers that technology can be used to reduce waste and repurpose products. Like many other parts of society, the use of technology opens up many doors for opportunity. It is important for designers to educate the public on this new ideal- it has become vital for production development to "utilize technology to craft products with purpose, that are good for the environment but also aesthetically pleasing and affordable." (Mancini)

Sustainable fashion is the future of fashion!

Reference: http://theconversation.com/can-technology-help-fashion-clean-up-its-act-59888