Slow Fashion: Stitching Together a More Sustainable Future

Keenan McKenley, International StudiesFaculty Mentor(s): Professor Vida Vanchan, Geography and Planning Demands for cheap clothing and fast turnaround of supplies have resulted in a drastic cost-cutting approach by companies in the fashion industry. Over the past 25 years, the world fashion industry has become accustomed to cheap, low quality garments manufactured within developing countries upon the principles of unsustainable, low-cost business practices and working conditions. However, exposure into the world of fast fashion has ignited a global movement in response to the practices set in place by several clothing companies. This is known as slow fashion. My research examines the slow fashion industry by addressing the efforts made by companies in this industry to produce high-quality, sustainable products and to adhere to environmentally conscious business practices. As fast and slow fashion companies continue to compete for global fashion supremacy, interest has sparked into just how much of an impact these industries have on the economic, environmental, and social livelihoods of developing countries. Evidence from secondary data sheds light on these issues, and it is evident that fast fashion plays a negative role with respect to the environment. Furthermore, there is growing support for the slow fashion industry and companies that aim to provide quality and sustainable products as well as promote social justice and equality.https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/srcc-sp21-busfashhosp/1001/thumbnail.jp