One thing that we no longer need any report or study to tell us is that climate change is very real . We ’ re all experiencing it ourselves and we can see that the consequences are becoming worse every year . Which is why the need for sustainable fashion , which many have long been advocating for , is finally being widely recognized . More importantly , consumers are now becoming aware of it and demanding it .
Sustainable fashion doesn ’ t just refer to environmentally-friendly clothing . Sustainability , in a nutshell , means good for people and good for the planet . We need sustainable fashion , which not only respects our planet , but also the people throughout its supply chain . Furthermore , sustainable fashion wouldn ’ t be sustainable for everyone if it isn ’ t also profitable for everyone . Whether you call it sustainable , ethical , conscious , eco or slow fashion , the bottom line is that what we all wear now shouldn ’ t cost the future .
Fast fashion has been great for retailers and hugely lucrative . However , this may no longer be the case in the coming years . Our natural resources are limited and working together towards what the United Nations calls the Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals is imperative . While it ’ s good to hear of fast fashion brands using environmentallyfriendly materials , is it sustainable if the pace of production doesn ’ t slow down , if the overall environmental toll isn ’ t mitigated and if the exploitation of workers isn ’ t put to an end ?
We ’ re at the tipping point where slowing down means not only ensuring a future where the next generation has a healthy environment to live in . It also means a present where we ourselves can enjoy a world that isn ’ t riddled with environmental catastrophes and stained by social injustices .
The silver lining is that we can make a positive impact by being more conscientious with both the things we buy and the things we sell . As the number of conscious consumers grows , the need for responsible retailers also increases . As retailers , what are we going to do now ? That ’ s the one thing we need to decide on fast .
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Over the years , the fast fashion pace has fueled overconsumption and the perception of clothing as cheap and disposable . However , fast fashion is far from cheap .
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27TH NATIONAL RETAIL CONFERENCE & STORES ASIA EXPO 2021 AUGUST 12-13 , 2021 27