"Fashion upside down," the title of an impactful infographic by ADEME, talks about the consequences of fashion and the textile industry on the environment. Among the figures that emerge, we note that the textile industry is the 3rd most water-consuming sector in the world after the cultivation of wheat and rice, and that the sector emits 1.2 billion tons of gas each year to, or 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The fast fashion industry has a lot to do with this and so do our consumption habits. How to change this sector from the inside? How can we create new desirable imaginations around fashion? What training exists to become a sustainable fashion professional? Issues, solutions and actions in this article!
What are the challenges of the fashion industry?
Here are 5 reasons why the fashion and textile industry is a problem today.
⚠️ Beware it stings the eyes!
1. The exploitation of non-renewable resources to produce our clothing, including oil, extracted to produce the synthetic fibers in our clothing (polyester, polyamide, acrylic, polyurethane, elastane). 🏴
2. Water and ocean pollution via the plastic microfibers in our clothes released with each wash. In particular, they end up in the stomachs of the fish we eat. Yummy! 😋
3. The use of huge amounts of water. the Ademe infographic presents this mind-blowing figure: 1 tee shirt = 70 showers! 🚿
4. The use of pesticides dumped in the cotton fields, which are used to produce our clothes. 🧪
5. The working conditions of workers in production factories: we remember the collapse of the Rana Plaza, in Bangladesh in 2013, which killed more than 1100 people. 😭
Are there solutions for a sustainable fashion?
Fortunately, yes! The challenges are numerous but achievable. In the last few years, many organizations have made this their commitment driver. Among the challenges of sustainable fashion, there are :
- Work on a circular model throughout the life cycle of the garment: from its production to its end of life.
- Encourage and promote local production.
- To work with suppliers who are aligned with an ecologically and ethically responsible mode of production, concerned about the working conditions of the people who work for them.
- To create recycling channels for clothes and promote second-hand fashion.
- Validate and promote its sustainable fashion practices through transparent communication, even obtaining Oeko-tex standard, Ecocert Fair Trade, GOTS, Fair Wear Foundation or Bluedesign labels.
Training in sustainable fashion
The French Institute of Fashion (IFM)
Prepares fashion and luxury professionals to understand the challenges of sustainable development in this sector. It takes place in Paris and the different sessions are organized on a part-time basis.
How to finance the training?
The training is eligible for the OPCO and the CPF.
👉 Learn more about the programs here
Ethiwork
Ethiwork trains fashion and luxury professionals on the themes of CSR, circularity, the implementation of impactful business models, governance, responsible communication and the creation of new imaginations. Ethiwork's training sessions can be held in Paris or online and last 1 to 2 days. There are several modules depending on the theme!
How to finance the training?
The training is eligible to the OPCO
👉 Learn more about the programs here
👉 And for more information on the organization's values, its partners and trainers, Celine and Salomé from Ethiwork told us about it in this interview !
Examples of jobs and organizations in sustainable fashion
Jobs
- Manager of an ethical fashion boutique
- Sales consultant for an ethical fashion brand
- E-commerce manager of an ethical and sustainable fashion platform
- Digital communication officer in a sustainable fashion organization
- Product manager in the responsible textile industry
- Founder of a committed fashion brand
- Customer service manager for the customers of a sustainable fashion brand
- Business Developer for a circular fashion company
- Public relations officer in the ethical fashion sector
- Purchasing manager for an ethical fashion brand
Organizations
Focus on 10 structures that put fast fashion on the back burner:
- The Circular Fashion Federation, which represents merchants and companies committed to circular fashion.
- Fashion Green Hub Paris which is helping to transform the textile and fashion industry.
- Clear Fashion, the indicator that brings transparency between brands and consumers to move the industry toward more responsible operations.
- Loom eco-friendly clothing boutique.
- Paradigm, 2nd hand platform that sells branded, quality used products at fair and low prices.
- WeDressFair, the platform that references as many responsible brands as possible to guide consumers in their clothing choices. Today, more than 500 responsible brands are referenced. The company also highlights the greenwashing of fastfashion.
- Ethiwork Studio, a unique entity committed to sustainable fashion: between an activist consulting agency, a training organization and a creative studio serving fashion and luxury brands.
- Patine, the brand that reconciles your passion for fashion, humans and nature.
- Losanje and its upcycling collections thought around your needs, for style that doesn't put our future at risk.
- The Second Sew brand whose collections of upcycled clothes under 100€ dress children from 1 to 3 years old with style.
- Recyclette, a women's clothing brand under construction, which aims to offer eco-responsible and human-oriented consumption.
To take action
👉 Here are all of our job openings in the sustainable fashion sector
To go further
👉 Eco-design to reduce the environmental impact of the cultural sector
👉 Training on CSR issues in the fashion and luxury sector