Glossary.
An alphabetic glossary for the most important terminology when it comes to sustainability within the fashion industry.
is for Accountability
In the context of the fashion industry, accountability means that companies must identify, assess, and measure the impact of all their activities on people and the environment worldwide. Accountability relies on a company's voluntary commitment to deliver on high social and environmental standards in their operations, especially with regards to human rights and sustainable development.
is for Biodegradable.
Biodegradable means that when given the right conditions and presence of microorganisms, fungi, or bacteria, a material will eventually break down to its basic components and blend back in with the earth. In the fashion industry, biodegradable refers to non-synthetic fibres without dyes and chemicals.
is for Closed Loop.
A closed loop system is one in which products are designed, manufactured, used and handled so as to circulate within society for as long as possible, with maximum usability, minimum adverse environmental impacts, minimum waste generation, and with the most efficient use of water, energy and other resources throughout their lifecycles.
is for Diversity.
Diversity refers to the recognition of and respect for the differences between individuals, communities and cultures. Exploring and nurturing the differences in a safe environment enables everyone to make a valuable contribution to their community and society as a whole.
is for Ethical Fashion.
Refers to the treatment of people and focuses on the social impact of the fashion industry. Ethical fashion benefits those working along the supply chain by reducing poverty through non-exploitative employment and creates a better future for everyone—not just for those at the top.
is for Fast Fashion.
Fast Fashion is an approach to designing, creating, and producing products based on fast-moving trends and cheap prices. While cheap and trendy, fast fashion is dangerous because it results in overproduction, waste, environmental degradation, and the overworking of factory makers.
is for GOTS Certified.
GOTS certified means that the item or the fabric has been certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). It reviews the organic status of textiles from harvesting of the raw materials through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing all the way to labeling. It is recognized worldwide and helps provide credible assurance to the consumer.
is for Handmade.
Products that are made by hand, not by machine, and typically therefore of superior quality. Handmade products contribute to sustainability as they are based on usage of traditional skills, judicious use of materials and practices that have survived across the ages.
is for Interdependence.
Interdependence refers to the mutual dependence of all human and natural systems. In connection to fashion, interdependence means that fashion must not be seen in isolation from its cultural, social, and environmental implications. Recognizing the interdependence in fashion relies on acknowledging that fashion, in all its forms, is not a separate entity. It only exists in relationship to the people who make and wear it, and to the environment they live in.
is for Jugaad.
The Hindi word jugaad means ‘resourcefulness’ in English and refers to ingenious, frugal solutions that are driven by flexibility and improvisation even in the most challenging circumstances. Jugaad initiatives tend to result in implicitly inclusive and sustainable solutions by doing ‘more with less’.
is for Knowledge.
‘Knowledge is power’ - Thomas Jefferson. The fashion industry needs to change and the first step in mitigating its issues lies in informing oneself in order to become aware of its various impacts on the environment.
is for Localism.
Meeting needs locally can mean less pollution and CO2 emissions from unnecessary transport, as well as providing economic opportunities. Localism stands in stark contrast to the global fashion industry that promotes globalisation, overlooking the personal contact that the distance between designers, producers and users, which enables richer ways of understanding materials and conditions of production.
is for Made-to-Order.
Made-to-order items are produced to supply a special or an individual demand, where the item is only produced once the order is placed, avoiding un-necessary textile and retail waste.
is for Natural Fibres.
Natural fibres or natural fibres are fibres that are produced by plants, animals, and geological processes. Although they are a good alternative to synthetic fibres, they are not the most sustainable as they take a lot of water to produce.
is for Organic.
Organic refers to raw materials that are not genetically modified (GM) and have been grown without the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, or other artificial chemicals.
is for Pre- and Post- Consumer Waste.
Pre-consumer waste refers to waste from all production processes while post-consumer waste is what’s collected after the owner has disposed of the garment.
is for Quality.
Usually, higher-quality products cost more money, because the materials used to make them are better, or the way they were made was more effective. Quality is the basis for sustainability as the garments need to last longer in order to avoid disposing of them.
is for Resilience.
In the context of fashion, resilience relies on an acute awareness that fashion only exists in close relationship to the people who wear it and the planet whose resources it draws on. As we face the climate emergency, the fashion system needs to renew itself in a way that shows its accountability and respect to both.
is for Slow Fashion.
Slow fashion is a deliberate choice from consumers to slow down their consumption, and buy less, while investing in high quality pieces that last longer. It is the ethos of “buying fewer better things” and embracing individual style rather than chasing trends. Slow fashion designers create products that are long-lasting in terms of design, style, wearability, and quality and avoid mass-production at all costs.
is for Transparency.
Transparency is a credible, comprehensive and comparable public disclosure of data and information about fashion’s supply chains, business practices and the impacts of these practices on workers, communities and the environment.
is for Upcycling.
Upcycling is creatively re-imagining the purpose of an object, transforming and reinventing its function. It is excellent because it removes waste from the system; it requires less energy than recycling, and so has a better environmental impact. Plus it encourages creativity and innovation!
is for Vegan Fashion.
Vegan means that no animal-derived materials are part of the products. Choosing vegan fashion makes sense for animal welfare and environmental reasons—and, particularly in the case of leather, often for social sustainability reasons too—and there are plenty of ways you can ensure that your wardrobe benefits both animals and the planet.
is for Well-Being.
Well-being of ecosystems depends on their ability "to maintain their diversity and quality".In the context of climate emergency, sustainable development and systems thinking, it is critical that well-being of humans and natural ecosystems are maintained and cultivated in a mutual balance.
is for marking greenwashing with an X
Greenwashing is when a company uses misleading or false claims to suggest it’s doing more for the environment than it actually is. This common practice means it’s important that consumers do their research and ask questions— even when they think a company is ethical.
is for WhY change?
The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. In fact, it is the second largest polluter in the world, just after the oil industry. However, there are solutions and alternatives to mitigate these problems. The first step lies in building awareness and willingness to change.
is for Zero Waste Fashion.
Zero-waste fashion refers to items of clothing that generate little or no textile waste in their production. It can be divided into two general approaches. Pre-consumer zero-waste fashion eliminates waste during manufacture. Post-consumer zero-waste fashion generates clothing from post-consumer garments such as second-hand clothing, eliminating waste at what would normally be the end of the product use life of a garment.