Fashion and sustainability: why does it matter how we create what we wear?
Fashion is everywhere. We all wear clothes, every day. And while it may seem like a superficial choice, the truth is that what we wear—and how it's created—has a lot to do with our values, our relationship with the world, and our impact on it.
Clothing doesn't just cover us; it communicates. It reflects our personality, our mood, and often, without us even realizing it, our consumption choices. But what if we look beyond design and price? What lies behind each label?
The true price of what we wear
The fashion industry generates over $3 trillion annually , but its impact isn't solely economic. It's one of the most polluting industries on the planet and one of the most criticized for its labor practices. However, it remains a gateway to change. Why? Because we all participate in it, every single day.
The fast fashion model has accelerated consumption to unsustainable levels. Every year, nearly 100 billion garments are produced, many of which are worn only a few times before ending up in landfills or incinerated. This rampant consumption not only depletes natural resources but also exposes millions of workers—mostly women—to unfair and dangerous working conditions.
A tragic example was the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh in 2013, which claimed the lives of more than 1,300 people. But that was just one of many warning signs. Today, thousands of factories still operate without even minimal safety measures, while we continue to buy things without questioning who is really paying for a €4 T-shirt.
Or as journalist Lucy Siegle aptly put it: “Fast fashion isn’t free. Someone, somewhere, is paying for it.” It’s not just about the industry. It’s about us.
Fast fashion wouldn't be possible without our behavior as consumers. Impulse buying, always looking for the latest trends, discarding items without repairing them... these are habits that sustain a system that harms both the planet and people.
But it is also in our hands to change it.
Thinking about sustainable fashion isn't just about choosing clothes with "green" labels. It's about asking ourselves: Do I need this? Who made it? Could it last longer? These are small decisions that, multiplied, can transform the system.
As activist Livia Firth says:
“This is a call to action to be active citizens and reflect on the consequences of buying something.”
Three ways to start transforming our consumption
1. Choose consciously
You don't need to spend more, just be better informed. Find out where your clothes come from, who makes them, and what materials are used. Today, there are brands—both large and small—that are committed to fairer and more sustainable processes. Ask questions, compare prices, and do your research. As consumers, we have power.
2. Take care of what you have
Washing less, at lower temperatures, avoiding the dryer, or repairing a garment instead of throwing it away may seem insignificant, but it adds up to a lot. By extending the life of our clothes, we reduce waste, water usage, and energy consumption.
👉 Useful fact : If all homes in Europe reduced their washing temperature from 40°C to 30°C, CO₂ emissions equivalent to those of 3 million cars per year would be avoided.
3. Think before you throw away
Donating, reselling, swapping, or recycling are real alternatives to the trash. Many stores and organizations now offer textile collection programs. Furthermore, the secondhand market is booming: buying used is not only more sustainable, it's also a way to express style with a story.
What if fashion were part of the solution?
Fashion, with all its challenges, is also an opportunity to create real change. It's a powerful space for raising awareness, sharing values, and sparking conversation. After all, we wear clothes every day. What better excuse to think about what we put on our skin?
When I started this project, I didn't fully understand why. I just felt a deep certainty. And it was while researching this industry that I realized: fashion is a huge portal for change . Because it connects with the intimate, the everyday, and the collective.
That's why I'm here. To remind myself—and anyone who wants to read this—that what we wear isn't trivial. It's a decision that can make a difference. That can be fairer, more conscious, more humane.
And that change begins with questions we don't usually ask ourselves:
Is what I bought today natural? Could it be harmful to my skin?
Because if the answer is no, then you're not taking care of yourself—or the planet.
And it's not about emptying your wardrobe to replace it with a 100% natural one, but about starting to make more conscious decisions, step by step.
Every choice counts, and real change happens slowly but deliberately.