In recent years, there has been a huge positive shift for consumers caring about the behind the scenes of fashion companies. As customers, we are growing to care about who creates our items, where the fabric comes from, and the life-cycle of our clothing. These factors combined have contributed to the rise of sustainable fashion brands, and growth of consumer habits. To be sustainable, customers are mindful of the environmental and social impacts of products we buy.
Our traditional models of shopping have led to a rise in overconsumption of products, which seriously impacts the environment. For the fashion production industry, the issues are as follows;
- Entire production line contributes to 10% of total global carbon emissions
- Dries up water sources whilst polluting river and streams (fibre production has the largest impact of freshwater withdrawal)
- Textile dyeing is the world’s second-largest pollution of water
- Washing clothes actually releases 500,000 tons of microfibres into the ocean each year
- Synthetic, man made fibres are not biodegradable - contributing to soil pollution
- 85% of clothing is discarded annually, either into landfill or incinerated
These statistics have led to Gen Z becoming a generation focused on shopping sustainably. In fact, 91% of Gen Zers have said they want to buy from sustainable companies, allowing this industry to bloom. More info here.
Here at Beatrice Bayliss, our items are created with wool. Wool is a great product, known for being naturally biodegradable, anti-flammable, and a renewable textile. Our fabric comes from farms that follow natural farming methods, avoiding harmful chemicals, and we manufacture products locally created by artisan knitters or seamstresses. Furthermore, we aim for zero waste within our production process (allowing us to create products such as tote bags or face masks), and using recyclable packaging.
Our products are built to last a lifetime, not a season. Quality clothing, working with suppliers who share our ethos, and being based online, allows us to reduce our overall environmental and social impacts.
By Liv Whelan