Is EcoFashion An Oxymoron?

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Published by Vanessa Brunner under Green Living

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After a series of really interesting comments on my last post (It’s Not Easy Being Green), I started thinking a lot about the question: What does it really mean to be green?  It seemed like everyone has a different answer, and everyone has a valid point.

flickr images via simplified building concepts, sean's camera, and augapfel

I think this is an especially poignant topic when it comes to Eco Fashion. After a few thought provoking tweets by @jenbeautystaffs on the topic, I decided to pursue it further.

A taste of my conversation with @jenbeautystaffs

It really got me thinking…is there such a thing as true Eco Friendly Fashion when it is still producing and consuming more products? For example, if a brand uses eco friendly manufacturing/packaging/shipping, it is still producing more stuff that ends up in the municipal solid waste stream.

So, does this mean recycled and reusable fashion is the only Eco Fashion out there?

flickr images via jem's web, postgreen, and moxie-girl

I’m not arguing for either side. I think that both markets are important for different reasons. And I think this is a really important topic to consider in all types of markets–not just fashion. A lot of this seems like a matter of what people believe should be prioritized in the eco-movement.

For one thing, it seems to me like brands and lines that are producing organic clothing are contributing towards education regarding the green movement. People learn what is involved in being a green consumer, and what should be considered  (such as, materials, methods, and meaning).

What do you think? Is EcoFashion an oxymoron?

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6 Responses to “Is EcoFashion An Oxymoron?”

1. JenBeautyStaffs says:

   October 23, 2009 at 11:05 pm

   Thanks for posing the question! I think it’s one that should be asked of any item that claims to be green, and of consumerism in general.

   No argument from me that organic /fair trade/ sustainable clothing is a lot better than its non-green alternative. I also think the term ‘green consumerism’ is not a contradiction if you buy a sustainable/reusable item to replace a worn out non-green one, especially if it also happens to be somewhat essential. So, by all means, buy the cute sustainable boots for winter if your old pair no longer keeps out the water.

   But I don’t think that’s really the way fashion works — seasonal trends are exactly that, and seem designed to get you to buy (and discard) new items more often. Most people I know get tired of their clothes long before they wear them out. I’m not sure what a truly green fashionista would be. Maybe someone who reuses, remakes, and upcycles liberally, and augments her wardrobe with just a few new eco-friendly pieces every so often? Alas, I don’t think I’m up for the challenge!

   Maybe green fashion should include not only clothes that are made in a more sustainable way, but also buying and using clothing in a more sustainable way.

   Definitely bears thinking about.

   Reply
2. Vanessa Brunner says:

   October 24, 2009 at 12:17 am

   I completely agree. And some designers do really embrace the idea of making clothing that will last more than a season. I’ve seen a lot of labels lately that try to create classic, quality, ecofriendly clothing that you’ll keep in your closet for years and years and years.

   Fashion as it exists now is not about fulfilling a basic need–it’s about constantly consuming and keeping up with the latest trend.

   Like you, I hope that the green fashion movement will encourage people to not only think about producing clothes in a different manner, but also consuming clothes in a different manner.

   Thanks again for your help on this!

   Reply
3. Timo Rissanen says:

   October 24, 2009 at 1:26 am

   An important topic; thanks for posting! Not sure if you are aware of Kate Fletcher’s book on sustainable fashion – well worth a read.

   I am biased here because we included her in an exhibition earlier this year, but Sydney-sider Gene Sherman is an example of a ’slow’ consumer of fashion (but I should stress I don’t think there is only one model of being a responsible consumer of clothing). At any one time she has 20 outfits in her wardrobe. When she (rarely) buys a new one, one gets ‘retired’, and subsequently donated to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. Admittedly she wears almost exclusively clothes from four designers – Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons, Issey Miyake and Akira Isogawa, but my personal experience of these designers is that you don’t get bored with their clothes. I hope to own my second-hand Miyake jacket until I die. I don’t think they are the only designers of clothes that engage the wearer long-term by any means; there are lots of small designers out there producing equally engaging work. Anyway, more on Sherman can be found here:
   http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/exhibitions/contemporary_japanese_fashion.asp

   I look forward to seeing how the discussion evolves.

   Reply
4. Urban Sherp says:

   October 24, 2009 at 2:41 pm

   Definitely a difficult question, one I have struggled as a consumer It is great to see consumers interested in making more educated purchase decisions and that they are now starting to question where and how those products are made.

   We are still consuming far more than we should, but baby steps to change the shop can be made. When making purchases invest in quality, timeless pieces that will last longer than one season. Consider organic, upcycled or recycled options.

   Still not sure how to convince consumers to invest in a $25 organically produced t-shirt when they could buy one for $5.99 at Walmart… as I said, baby steps.

   Reply
5. Organiccottontail.com says:

   October 26, 2009 at 7:11 pm

   I agree it does mean a lot of different things to different people. There is not a correct answer. Every step people make is a step towards awareness. For me organic cotton is so important because of how it farmed. There are farmers in poor countries dying each day because of the pesticides they are working with. Consumerism is alive an well and Rome was not built in a day. Baby steps….

   Reply
6. La Alicia says:

   November 10, 2009 at 1:07 am

   I think education and awareness are really important right now. People who are getting informed now are future buyers, users and recyclers. If we are all aware — we can make better decisions on purchases that tread lightly on the earth. My line of accessories is made from recycled/repurposed magazines and junk mail. Please check them out here http://laalicia.etsy.com

   I hope that EcoFashion is not an oxymoron.

   Reply