Can fashion ever be sustainable?
Sustainable fashion is a term that is increasingly used these days, as we become ever more aware of the serious environmental impact of our clothes — But what does sustainable fashion actually mean?
In short, it’s an umbrella term for clothes that are created and consumed in a way that can be, quite literally, sustained, while protecting both the environment and garment producers. That is why cutting CO2 emissions, addressing overproduction, reducing pollution and waste has become an important agenda in the fashion industry and eco-system. Considering the number of factors involved, there are still too few brands out there currently tackling these complex issues, and not many industry players will admit that there’s always room for improvement.
However, we as consumers can do our part to support the agenda. Shopping for items labelled ‘sustainable’ is not sufficient - we need to completely rethink our purchasing habits and the sustainability of our clothes.
During the recent London Craft Week (LCW), which happened from 9-15 May 2022, around 250 established and emerging makers, designers, brands and galleries from around the world converged to showcase their crafts and creations including sustainable products.
Malaysia’s The Royal Pahang Weave (Tenun Pahang Diraja) made its debut to the world during LCW. Malaysia’s participation in the (LCW) this year as one of the two curated Country Pavilions reinforces the festival as a platform for sharing global perspectives and shining a spotlight on London as an international hub for encountering outstanding makers and creativity from around the world.
Led by Malaysia’s Queen, Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, the inaugural exhibition featured crafts made by inmates of Penor and Bentong Prisons in the state of Pahang in Malaysia as well as archival fabrics from the Pahang Museum and a selection of Tunku Azizah’s own garments and private tenun collection.
“It is all about weaving hope. The story itself is all about hope today… we hope to revive the weaving of Tenun Pahang,” said the Malaysia’s Queen during the launching of the Royal Pahang Weave Exhibition at the Malaysian High Commission building in Belgrave Square.
“My hope is to revive the weaving (of Tenun Pahang) and for tenun to survive (it) will depend on the inmates. They are my hopes for the survival of tenun. They’ve enabled it to happen and because of them, there are now more than 200 weavers (compared to 15 in the state in 2006),” Tunku Azizah said.
Her Majesty also paid tribute to the Malaysian government and, in particular the Prisons Department, National Craft Institute and relevant departments for “giving hope and a second chance” not only for the oldest weaving industry to survive but for the inmates to start a new life.
It remains to be seen whether sustainable fashion is only a passing trend (or fades into moral irrelevance). With climate change becoming something hard to deny, we trust sustainable fashion will also become a permanent style.
Sustainable fashion will be a topic of discussion at our Inspiring Women Entrepreneur Conference happening on 14 June 2022.
