Sustainable environment: An examination of the current apparel and textile industries' eco-friendly practices

Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences The purpose of this research was to analyze the textile and apparel industries' eco-fashion practices in the women's wear category. The objectives of this study were (a) to identify the available eco-f1iendly fibers, (b) to evaluate eco-fashion practice in the women's apparel industry in terms of functional, expressive, and aesthetic aspects in better and budget markets, and (c) to assess consumers' understanding of eco-fashion apparel and their attitudes toward eco-fashion apparel products. To identify available organic and eco-friendly fiber fabrics, the researcher attended the Los Angeles Textile Show in October 2009. To evaluate the eco-fashion practice in women's wear two stores were selected. Lamb and Kallal's (1992) conceptual framework was modified to examine functional, expressive, and aesthetic aspects (FEA Consumer Need Model) of eco-fashion apparel. To assess consumers' understanding of eco-fashion apparel and their attitudes toward eco-fashion apparel products, a survey was conducted in a college in Los Angeles, California. The review of the Textile Show revealed that most of the available eco-friendly fabrics were of 100% organic cotton or an organic fiber blend and were in solid and off white colors. Based on the modified FEA Consumer Need Model, the functional and aesthetic characteristics of eco-fashion apparel were almost similar to the non eco-fashion of better and budget markets. In terms of expressive aspects, the choice of fabrics of the eco-fashion line were different from those used for the non eco-fashion apparel, which can be more desirable to eco-conscious consumers in the better and budget markets. The fabric care recommended for the eco-fashion apparel was almost the same as that for the non eco-fashion apparel items. The evaluation of eco-fashion practice revealed that the fiber content caused a garment to be considered eco-friendly, not other factors. The eco-fashion woman's apparel of the budget market lacks variety in styles and fabric types. Customers of the better market need to read garment labels carefully before making purchasing decisions. If the shell of a garment is 100% organic cotton, the lining could be in standard polyester or acetate, neither of which is eco friendly. The majority of survey participants purchased apparel in natural fibers. Less than half have purchased apparel products made of eco-friendly fibers. Most participants did not know what stores carry eco-fashion apparel products and were not willing to pay more for eco-fashion items than for non eco-fashion items. The majority admitted that they were not adequately aware of the environmental issues caused by the textile and apparel industries. The findings of this study could be helpful to apparel designers desiring to use eco-friendly fibers and fabrics. They could also assist consumers with their purchasing decisions by providing an evaluation of eco-fashion in women's apparel of better and budget markets