Slow Fashion and Patterns and Prints: A Sustainable Alliance?

Ethical fashion is often associated with basic styles. This is because eco-friendly brands favor these timeless garments, not only because they do not go out of style and pair easily with anything, but also because their manufacturing process has a lower impact on the environment. Let's take a closer look at how textile printing contributes to this environmental issue.

There are different methods of textile printing, whether artisanal or industrial. Artisanal methods include block printing, stenciling, and batik, while industrial processes include flocking, devoré, screen printing, rotary screen printing, and digital printing.

Unfortunately, textile printing has a harmful impact on the environment and health. According to ADEME, textile dyeing and treatment are responsible for 20% of global water pollution. Every year, fabric dyeing requires astronomical amounts of water, between 6 and 9 trillion liters. The wastewater from these processes also contains toxic chemicals such as harmful dyes and heavy metals, leading to health problems such as skin irritation, endocrine disruptors, and even cancer.

Fortunately, solutions are emerging to reduce the impact of textile printing. Some opt for the use of natural dyes, shell exoskeletons, or even biological processes. In addition, leading labels, such as the bluesign label and the Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex®, guarantee the transparency and traceability of textiles by ensuring the elimination of substances toxic to health and the environment.

Back to the original topic: is it possible to reconcile fashion, ethics, and trends?

The durability of a garment is not limited solely to its quality. Two other factors influence the number of days a garment is worn: its adaptability over time and the desire to acquire new clothes. We are talking here about emotional durability, which determines the longevity of the garment in our wardrobes.

However, it is difficult for a brand to control both fashion adaptability and the constant desire for novelty among consumers. These feelings depend largely on individual sensitivity and can be influenced by external factors such as the renewal of collections, low prices, frequent promotions, advertising, and marketing.

One of the advantages of ethical fashion lies in its sustainable orientation. It tends to offer basic, timeless, and versatile garments that are not subject to the whims of trends. However, if we want more variety, several options are available to us, such as choosing eco-friendly garments with environmentally friendly patterns, turning to second-hand pieces in vintage stores or clothing swaps, or even exchanging clothes with our loved ones to renew our wardrobe in a more responsible way.