Gelisim News

Unsustainable fashion habits must change to ensure sustainability

In recent years, the concept of “sustainability” has entered our lives by increasing awareness with the climate crisis, depletion of resources and environmental pollution in the world. Asst. Prof. Dr. Soneser Yurdakul stated that consumption habits should be changed for sustainable development in the fashion industry.

Nowadays, with the depletion of natural resources, the increase in the cost of traditional energy resources, the decisions are taken at the global level to reduce carbon emissions, and the increase in social-environmental awareness, sustainable production strategies have become mandatory. Asst. Prof. Dr. Soneser Yurdakul, from Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) Faculty of Fine Arts, Fashion and Textile Design Department stated the following: "Contrary to the fast-fashion approach, where resources are rapidly consumed, based on cheap labor and creating environmental pollution with the high amount of waste generation, the concept of "sustainable fashion", which is based on ecological integrity and social justice, has been rapidly adopted in the fashion and textile industry in Turkey, along with the whole world. Hence, in order to ensure sustainability, unsustainable fashion habits need to change.”

SENSITIVITY BEGAN TO INCREASE IN TURKEY

In the sustainable fashion approach, attention is paid to the use of natural materials that are eco-friendly. This understanding aims to reduce the damage caused by the sector to the environment, to produce quality products that can be used for a long time, that can be recycled and that produce the maximum amount of waste, animal and nature friendly. Many world-famous fashion brands invest in sustainable fashion production in order to reduce environmental impacts. Sensitivity toward this issue started to increase in Turkey as well.

FASHION IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT CRUELTY

While it is significant to take into account the water consumption of plant sources, the usage of animal products highlights societal concerns. The most prevalent of these sensitivities is veganism, which is based on the idea of "Fashion Without Cruelty." The fast-growing trend of veganism, which forgoes all things with animal origins or those derived from animals in favor of solely obtaining one's requirements from plant sources, has prompted the fashion industry to create vegan apparel. The foundation of vegan fashion is the idea that neither primary nor secondary materials of animal origin should be utilized in the manufacture of apparel or accessories.

INFORMATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED ON PRODUCT LABELS

Asst. Prof. Dr. Soneser Yurdakul indicated, “The most essential step to be taken in ensuring sustainability is to raise social awareness. It is impossible to achieve this without changing unsustainable consumption behaviors and gaining the habit of consuming what is needed. Therefore, in order to raise awareness of consumers on this issue, sustainable fashion should be explained more frequently in the mass media, brands and companies should highlight their sustainability features, the aforementioned information should be included on product labels, central and local governments and non-governmental organizations should be more active in waste collection. ”