23 November 2023

How is ethical fashion revolutionizing your closet?

At a time when fast fashion has become a way of life for many consumers, this low-cost trend is generating deplorable social and environmental impacts on a global scale. But what about fashion houses? A look back at designers who are renewing their commitment to ethical and responsible fashion, while creating luxurious pieces.

The long-awaited Haute Couture Fashion Week 2021 in Paris will gradually return to the catwalks, providing an opportunity to highlight the eco-responsibility commitments made by fashion giants.

An initiative that has not been ignored, despite the urgent need for economic recovery in the face of the current pandemic.

At a time when the new generations are calling for greater clarity, transparency and commitment, the players at Fashion Week are making good resolutions: from reusable materials to the use of green energy sources, everything is being done to promote a more responsible approach.

Promising solutions

This is not a new idea, since in 2001, Stella McCartney proposed ecological and sustainable collections. A wardrobe free of animal raw materials: leather, fur, feathers, fish glue, etc. Stella McCartney uses innovative eco-responsible materials such as organic cotton and regenerated cashmere to create her pieces. But what is it all about? Cashmere recycling mainly involves the collection of sweaters (post-consumer), but also cashmere yarn remnants. The harvested fiber is then analyzed to ensure that only high-quality fibers are retained. Finally, these fibers are spun into new yarn to create 100% regenerated cashmere. A way of greatly reducing the intensive use of pastures for sheep, and also reducing energy and water consumption.
Back to Fashion Week with the Givenchy show, which like Stella McCartney, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Chanel turned to the use of faux furs, made from polyester and acrylic. In the long term, the designers’ aim is to manufacture products using 100% plant residues. All the more reason to appeal to increasingly committed consumers.
In its quest for excellence, the LVMH group has a long history of ethical and responsible actions. For 27 years, LVMH’s environmental policy has been at the heart of its growth strategy. This commitment accelerated in 2012 with the creation of the LIFE (LVMH Initiatives For the Environment) program, designed to reinforce the environmental policy in the strategic plans of the Group’s 75 Houses.
Consolidated in 2016, the LIFE 2020 program is structured around four axes: The protection of biodiversity, the fight against climate change, the circular economy with the implementation of a recycling system for unsold products, and transparency to meet ever-increasing demands. A commitment to research, innovation and excellence.

An initiative at the heart of jewelry

For some years now, many houses have been aware of a growing shortage of gems. Faced with this shortfall, jewelers are forced to adapt and find solutions today.

Among jewelers, Chopard, has been committed since 2018 to acquiring its precious metal from responsible suppliers and uses mainly ethical gold, Fairmined-labeled: “a certification label that attests to the provenance of gold produced by autonomous, responsible, artisanal and small-scale mines”.