Sustainable Fashion: From Dolce & Gabbana's Eco Fur to Prada's Re-Nylon
Fashion is not only about clothes, it's about all kinds of change
The truth is that fashion isn't just about style tips, textures, colors, and seasonal trends.
Fashion , understood in its broadest sense, is a true way of being : not just simple aesthetic canons.
Rather, we are talking about actual behavioral canons that change, renew themselves, and transform at a more or less rapid pace.
And it is in that change that Lagerfeld speaks of that the theme of eco-sustainability in fashion occupies a prominent position.
As a result of a newfound sensitivity towards life , towards humanity and towards the environment, sustainability is a particularly sensitive topic for ready-to-wear designers .
Analyzing the collections of fashion houses such as Prada, Gucci, and Dolce&Gabbana (to name just a few), a clear desire to opt for raw materials that minimize waste and reduce environmental impact emerges.
Let's find out more.
What is meant by sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion involves creation, production, and distribution processes that respect people and the environment as a whole.
This approach also aims to develop a natural propensity towards conscious consumption .
In practice, you are no longer simple customers , but fully aware and informed consumers regarding your purchasing choices.
It's now a fact that sustainability is spreading like wildfire among the public, not just in the elite circles of high fashion.
This is confirmed by the data emerging from the State of Fashion 2023 , an annual study drawn up by the McKinsey Institute which collects all the future trends in the fashion field.
Among the 10 trends that will have a significant role in the fashion ecosystem, there will be a growing interest on the part of consumers in phenomena such as greenwashing .
In detail, it states “<…> consumers, regulators and stakeholders may increasingly scrutinise how brands communicate their sustainability credentials” .
We can also say that sustainable fashion is a particularly sensitive topic in Italy.
According to the 2022 Cultural Fashion Index , compiled by the Kearny company, Italy ranks second in terms of sustainable fashion production.
Now, the real question is: how do fashion houses promote sustainable fashion?
High fashion and sustainability: the fashion houses' initiatives
There are several international designers who have supported the decisive shift towards sustainability.
Dolce & Gabbana and Balenciaga: Eco Fur
Dolce & Gabbana says it will stop using animal fur starting from its 2022 collections, with the support of the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society International.
The Italian fashion house uses synthetic furs , made of polyester fibres that reproduce the appearance and texture of animal fur.
These are special fibers that can be dyed any color, from solid colors to patterns with recurring motifs.
This is the case of the leopard fur coat by Dolce&Gabbana , with front fastening with buttons and logo.
The same goes for the zip-up jacket by Balenciaga , perfect to pair with more elegant and/or casual chic looks.
Prada Re-Nylon
Launched in 2019 and expanded for Spring/Summer 2022-23, Prada's Re-Nylon line is a collection of garments and accessories born from the collaboration with Italian brand Aquafill.
The company, specialized in the production of synthetic fibers, has created re-nylon , a particular material derived from the recycling of plastic materials recovered from the ocean floor.
The maison has also launched a program to reduce its CO2 footprint by using renewable energy resources in both its factories and offices.
The goal?
Reduce emissions by 29.4% by 2026 .
Stella McCartney: regenerated nylon
Stella McCartney has always shown a particular concern for sustainable fashion.
Suffice it to say that 63% of the garments in the spring/summer 2022 collection were made with recycled materials : regenerated nylon, viscose from certified forests and traced wool.
What about the iconic Falabella bag?
An iconic piece of the brand, the model is made of Econyl , a recycled nylon yarn.
Eco-friendly fashion: what will the fashion of tomorrow be like?
In light of what has emerged from various reports and initiatives undertaken by elite fashion houses, eco-sustainability remains a top priority for the fashion ecosystem.
If eco fur was the trending material for autumn/winter 22 outerwear , we can only wait to see what the next spring/summer 2023 collection has in store for us!
