In addition to trends to keep an eye on and new features that are incorporated each season, technology combined with fashion can be a key part in building conscious fashion manufacture.
Technology and Fashion Manufacture
When we think about fashion in modernity, we have to keep in mind that one of the biggest trends – which we believe and defend is here to stay – is conscious consumption, because this way of thinking changes the entire production chain in the fashion world, and makes the use of technology in fashion manufacturing increasingly necessary, mainly through Artificial Intelligence.
We at Fashinnovation believe that these changes in the behavior of fashion consumers will be a key element for companies that know how to make use of this, especially those that are truly driven by a real purpose linked to new standards of awareness.
There is always room for innovation and efficient responses to demands that were previously ignored in fashion manufacturing, but are now treated rigorously, with excessive demands and searches for quick solutions.
Ok, but how can we use technology to make fashion manufacture more sustainable? We outline 5 important contributions that only current technology can offer to the world of fashion. Check out!
Data Analysis for Fashion Manufacture
One of the main advantages of technological advances in our time is the possibility of analyzing, collecting and storing a large amount of data. When this data is applied to drive sustainability within the fashion industry, it can help quantify the life cycle of materials and products, as well as measure the company’s environmental footprint, serving as a basis for conscious decision-making regarding the that must be used and produced.
Another important point within the data is that it can be used to understand and predict trends, manage the supply chain and reduce waste, thus preventing the fashion industry from continuing to be one of those that discards the most tons of material each year.
“Phygital” fashion
Digital life has increasingly joined phygital reality, and this isn’t even news to anyone, but have you ever heard of the term “phygital”?
Combining “digital” and “physical”, the term “phygital” has been used in the fashion world to create the possibility of more points of interaction with the public, in mixed environments – which means the integration of offline and online channels, such as unification of physical and virtual stores to create a complete experience for the consumer.
Consumers will move between these two worlds, in a new circular and fluid existence.
In trends in the fashion industry, opportunities also arise for new partnerships and licensing based on digital items developed by the new generation of artists and designers in the fashion market.
Breaking patterns
Creativity will be on the rise in 2024! After the pandemic period, many aesthetic standards are being given new meanings. As standards break, outdated views of the fashion industry will be questioned.
Clothing and accessories with interactive elements gain relevance, leaving the common area and winning over consumers with new values and lifestyles.
In this vein, Austrian sportswear brand Montreet launched pants printed by local artists and sewn in a way to reduce waste, creating different designs on each piece, making them unique.
Concern about the climate crisis
When we talk about consumer behavior in the world of fashion, we cannot fail to mention concerns about environmental and social impact.
For product development, design takes on a role beyond aesthetics, where creative professionals must evaluate the environmental impact of each stage of the process.
Companies that adopt circular systems and sustainable strategies will stand out not only to their audiences, but also to investors.
In Europe, for example, there is EPR – Extended Producer Responsibility, in Portuguese “Extended Producer Responsibility”. This is legislation that aims to protect the environment by improving waste management, limiting the use of landfills and encouraging innovations in the recycling sector.
Democratic design
Among the trends in the fashion industry, democratic design involves personalization, inclusion and reducing losses.
In the field of personalization, products must meet different styles and demands, aimed at inclusion and accessibility.
Artificial Intelligence is a powerful ally in this action, even enabling the creation of products with the correct materials where, based on research carried out by companies, opportunities for improvement and adaptation in their products were identified to make them viable for more people.
Why is sustainability so important in fashion manufacture?
When we think about fashion manufacturing, unfortunately for the most part, the word “sustainable” is not the first that comes to mind, and this does not happen for nothing, as it has become one of the most polluting industries in the world over the years, losing only for the oil sector in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere, with a total of 8%.
Fortunately, large companies have already decided that this scenario will no longer be acceptable, and are acting with positive changes in favor of a more conscious and sustainable production of fashion pieces and items, in addition to the way people consume them.
In order to achieve acceptable environmental sustainability indices, such as zero carbon emissions, the fashion industry needs a complete overhaul, from research for sustainable raw materials, a less polluting production chain, to encouraging conscious consumption. . And technology can be a great ally. This is what we stand for.
Conscious fashion
Thinking about this concern for sustainability and better use of the environments in which we live, conscious fashion is the result of a socio-environmental trend that seeks to adopt more sustainable and responsible practices for the textile production chain. An alternative that tries to minimize the impacts of fashion, avoid waste and rethink the short life cycle of each piece.
Those who are fans of conscious fashion prioritize slow shopping and pay more attention to this process. The person seeks to find out about the origin of the materials, the way the part was manufactured, under what conditions, the level of pollution it caused and the possibility of total recycling after disposal, for example. She also tries to choose clothes with greater durability and usability to avoid this quick disposal.
Conscious fashion only exists with the involvement of consumers and their pressure for change. Therefore, everyone can do their part, which can start with buying less, investing in durability, repairing damaged parts, donating, exchanging, sharing and customizing.
In search of conscious consumption, many people start to give preference to timeless and long-lasting pieces, which do not wear out so easily nor need to be discarded after little use. On the other hand, when interest in it ends, the option is not to throw it away: it is possible to donate it or sell it to thrift stores. This minimizes disuse, increases the life cycle of clothes and optimizes their use for longer periods.
Another consumer behavior that has also gained space and evidence is the appreciation of local production. In addition to contributing economically to small businesses, prioritizing artisanal or smaller-scale purchases generates significantly reduced environmental damage.
Sustainable fashion
Although the concept of conscious fashion and sustainable fashion are linked and make reference to sustainability, there are differences between conscious fashion and sustainable fashion.
Conscious fashion is a behavior that comes from the consumer. These are people who avoid discarding clothes quickly and are concerned about purchasing durable products that use more sustainable raw materials in their manufacture. He knows that he can be an agent for transforming society through his act of consumption.
Sustainable fashion, in turn, is an initiative of the textile industry itself. The chain is aware of its social responsibility and is therefore concerned with using raw materials and production methods that are less harmful to the environment, reducing the amount of pollutants used in the manufacture of products and minimizing the removal of raw materials from nature. Sustainable fashion, therefore, seeks environmental preservation at all stages of production.
Conscious fashion and sustainable fashion complement each other. While the first seeks to reduce consumption, the other works to reduce environmental impact. This is precisely what connects them: when consumers choose to support brands that adopt sustainable and ethical practices (conscious fashion), they end up encouraging positive changes in the textile industry (sustainable fashion).
When conscious consumption manages to bring about changes in the fashion chain, the industry tends to exchange its production methods for others that cause less impact on the environment.
The choice of raw materials is one of these points. Many companies are abandoning the use of synthetic fibers, such as polyester, viscose and nylon, which depend on a large amount of chemicals even in recycling, and replacing them with more sustainable ones. Organic materials do not require pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the manufacturing process, which reduces soil and water pollution.
Another option is the use of natural and biodegradable fibers, such as wool, silk and natural cotton. These materials are produced sustainably, without the use of pesticides or other toxic products, in addition to being 100% recyclable and biodegradable.
Sustainable fashion also values the reuse and recycling of pieces and fabrics left over during the cutting and sewing stages. Instead of discarding used clothes, they can be repurposed, reused and recycled to create new pieces. This helps to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and contribute to the preservation of cultural and artisanal traditions, valuing manual work and creativity.
The importance of consumers
Conscious fashion only exists with the involvement of consumers and their pressure for change. Therefore, everyone can do their part, which can start with buying less, investing in durability, repairing damaged parts, donating, exchanging, sharing and customizing.
In search of conscious consumption, many people start to give preference to timeless and long-lasting pieces, which do not wear out so easily nor need to be discarded after little use. On the other hand, when interest in it ends, the option is not to throw it away: it is possible to donate it or sell it to thrift stores. This minimizes disuse, increases the life cycle of clothes and optimizes their use for longer periods.
Another consumer behavior that has also gained space and evidence is the appreciation of local production. In addition to contributing economically to small businesses, prioritizing artisanal or smaller-scale purchases generates significantly reduced environmental damage.
The Power of Z Generation
Another point in favor of sustainability is the rise of Generation Z. People born between the second half of the 1990s and the beginning of 2010 are more sensitive to social issues and environmental preservation.
Aware of the need to rethink consumerism, these individuals buy more at thrift stores, exchange clothes with each other, pay attention to the origin of the pieces and adopt other efforts to be more sustainable.
It is no coincidence that websites and apps for buying and selling second-hand parts are successful all over the world. These are virtual spaces in which this search for new consumer experiences is reflected in small businesses and consumers interested in reviewing behaviors.
The most important thing is that, in addition to representing the future of the market, these young people influence previous generations. Increasingly, Gen Z parents and boomer grandparents are considering shopping at thrift stores.
Only half of baby boomers had shopped at thrift stores by 2019 in the United States. Highlighting the influences of Generation Z today, this number has already jumped to 81%.
Considering the trends observed in the largest economy on the planet, the prospects for the coming years, on an international scale, are very good.
People believe in technology
An extremely important factor in adding sustainability in fashion to technology is the fact that people believe in technology, and the strength that Artificial Intelligence has gained in a short time proves this. Change and greater adherence to sustainable behavior in the fashion industry is important not only for the future of the environment, but also for future generations.
So why not join forces and use what we have to our advantage in search of a more sustainable, democratic and conscious fashion manufacture for all fashion lovers?
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