Translated by Sofia Bohórquez

 

Do we innovate on truly important challenges, or do we continue to build on the same pillars for decades?

Then, is this word well-used, or is it just one more thing for marketing?

 

The fashion industry has enough axes to solve at the moment, from unfair payments, overconsumerism, overproduction, contaminating materials, low-quality manufacturing to greenwashing.

We frequently hear the word “innovation” among brands, but usually this ends as a trendy solution that keeps repeating the cycle in which the real problems that need to be solved are swept under the carpet.

 

We credit fast fashion with this solution for democratizing fashion by creating garments with better prices, allowing higher consumption; however, by creating garments accessible to certain budgets, there is always someone else paying for what others have been spared… democratization is not so real then.

 

There is a lot of talk about chemical-free materials and fair and transparent production chains, but all of this has a hidden price.

Natural materials with certifications and free of pollutant processes to create garments with lower environmental impact have a higher cost than any synthetic material. Fairer payments, fairer schedules and decent conditions at factories also demand a higher cost, and in seeking these to improve the social impact, the cost of production rises and therefore the brands increase their prices.

Payment of taxes, nationalization of garments on export, shipments, deliveries and salaries are covered in the price of a garment.

But, do we as consumers think that cheap stuff is really being paid by someone else?

There are various studies that demonstrate that, in the face of low competitor prices, often the workshop owners and maquilas decide to reduce the salaries of the workers in order to be able to compete for contracts with renowned brands.

Very few companies in the industry have plans and business models to improve their social and environmental impact, from renewable energies to more transparent supply and creation chains.

In a multimillionaire industry, just a small percentage of companies create solutions to these problematics, some even claim external budget requirements to implement recycling models, reuse, or a smaller environmental footprint.

As consumers, the problem affects us too. The cheapest shirt can be made of textiles that affect our skin and, for example, can give us a bad time in tropical weather conditions such as those in our region. Many times, we hug discomfort as if it is our only option, in addition to not considering that the low quality of a textile will cause it to become torn after a certain number of washes.

The change begins with one person and advances to become a collective. As consumers, we should be informed about what is behind the brands we are wearing. Transparency will only rise when it is the customer the who asks the brands to be more coherent with their messages and thus demonstrate that the words sustainable and slow fashion are truly supported by the practices employed and their positive and tangible results.