Reflecting the naturalness of the Earth in the future designs of the apparel industry is vital for the mental mode of rejuvenating the environment to take place. Perhaps the only way for consumers to open their eyes on the problems that they are causing is to have them wear clothing that reflects the way Earth should be and use to be. Kate Fletcher, in Chapter 6 of Local and Light, talks about biomimicry by using nature as a model to inspire solutions that could possibly solve human problems. The best solutions for improving the environment surround humans, yet most refuse to see the obvious around them. Humans have learned so much from nature, but I think people have lost or forgotten the basic concepts that nature has taught them.
In the previous blog I talked about making garments 100% biodegradable and made from recycled materials. With this concept and using materials sparingly, I would like to add on that the garments should reflect nature and the ones that are not made from recycled materials, should be made from 100% organic natural fibers. The articles of clothing will colored from natural dyes from seeds, flowers, fruits, vegetables, coffee beans, grass, etc. The organic fibers used in the fashion clothing will be made from cellulosic fibers such as hemp, organic cotton, flax, bamboo, jute, abaca and protein fibers that have been shaved from an animal humanely. Leather can be used but only if the skins from the meat packing industry, so they were not killed just for their fur and skin. To educate consumers on what they do to the environment and how purchasing this clothing line will benefit the Earth, I will make the tags on the garments indicate what materials are used in the making of the article of clothing and what percentage of improvement they are making for nature by wearing it. How to properly wash the garment will be included on the label. Washing the clothing using only natural soaps that do not contain harmful chemicals and minimal water possible will be included in the instructions. This will let us become back into balance with the biosphere, replacing what we have taken from the planet.
I really like how you mentioned the tags of the clothing and did not just focus on the apparel itself. Directions on how to wash in a sustainable way was something i had never thought about and I do not think most consumers think about it either. What would you use to print these things on the tag though? I also think it was important for you to talk about how leather should only be attained through meat packing plants so that animals are not just killed for their skin. I find that to be one of the cruelest things.
ReplyDeleteProbably print the tag directly on the shirt rather than having a tangible tag.
ReplyDeleteYou blog this week covered some things I found interesting. I also wrote about dying fabrics with nature. I enjoyed reading about things that could actually be attained. Have you thought about where your garments might be made? If in the US cost will be much higher. Is this something you thing consumers would be willing to pay for at a higher cost? Or would the garments be made overseas? In that there are work regulations that probably have to be looked at... you know, child labor, underpaid workers?
ReplyDeleteThe garments will be made in the U.S. I think this is important because outsourcing is really hurting the United States economy and weakening the power we have. Yes, the products may be more expensive for various reasons, but consumers will ultimately buy the sustainable product.
ReplyDeleteGood job on your blog this week. I want to follow Lindsey's question about the materials, would all of the materials be made in the United States as well or would you import materials from other countries? I think that this would definitely be a good idea and I like that you decided that your would print the tag on the garment instead of using more material that has no purpose.
ReplyDeleteYes Larissa, I really like how you expanded on the idea of using of tags that would serve as informational devices for the consumer. This gives them the opportunity to see how their choice of eco-friendly apparel is saving our planet in clearer ways. If you chose to import materials from other countries, would their be a reciprocal program set in place where farmers would benefit from the sharing of their cash crops?
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