Book Review: Sustainable Fashion & Textiles – Kate Fletcher
Sustainable fashion & textiles by Kate Fletcher is a journey into the current state of the fashion and textiles industry. Kate explores in great depth the different textile manufacturing processes and questions the ethics and ecological impact of the current systems. The book also delves into what kind of long-term damage the fashion industry is currently creating within the textile industry before broaching the subject of using suitable alternatives. Providing industry-led knowledge and facts that promote discussion around the themes of sustainability and responsible fashion design Kate demonstrates a vast knowledge on a little known subject. Acting as both a comprehensive guide and in-depth critique the book asks important questions about the future of fashion. After much analysis and various case studies, alternative solutions into the actions that could be taken are then provided.
On a personal note, I was given this book to review in the same week that I had thrown away over half of the clothes in my wardrobe. I had taken a long hard look at myself in the mirror one day and realized that I resembled a jumbled-up mismatched looking character in clothes that I had bought throughout various stages of my life. After investigating further, I noticed that nothing seemed to match in my wardrobe or seemed to draw on my own beliefs or qualities and reflect the ‘real me’. It dawned on me that throughout my twenties I had been slavishly following fashion rather than dressing to fulfill my values, principles or even my body shape. Having started work recently at an ethical and eco design company, I decided that I needed to redress the consumerist choices that I had made.
Now although I’m an avid reader of Vogue and various other fashion magazines and know that deep down the way that we look and dress is not fundamental to our wellbeing, I still find myself gazing upon those glossy pages with both desire and fascination. I feel its not always because I am being sold an idea or image, but often because I just simply love beautiful, brilliantly designed clothing. However, I am faced with the reality that I cannot afford to buy these amazing pieces and I am then motivated to seek out the alternatives on the high street. This demonstrates a huge gap between a regular reader of fashion magazines and the actual fashion industry. High-street stores have stepped in and created a bridge between the two worlds, albeit a slightly dodgy, wonky bridge which is creating more problems than it is actually fixing. I think that there is a tremendous pressure through magazines, the media and also peer pressure to conform to the fashion industry’s visions and ideals. This then filters through into the high-street and before we know it we are a nation of clones. How good are we going to feel in a dress of questionable origin and fibre which is creating more environmental harm than good and all just to fulfill some irrational consumerist inner need?
This book comes forward at a crucial moment in time. Whether you are a consumer of fashion, designer or involved in the world of fashion then you are already starting to ask some basic questions about the origins of your clothing and looking more closely at the quality of the fabric, longevity of the style and environmental impact that your clothing creates. ‘Sustainable Fashion and Textiles’ challenges the reader to question themselves about how you can still look stylish, without literally spending the earth and participating in the environmental impact of throw away fashion culture, not to mention the ethical issues surrounding the working conditions and pay of those who actually produce the clothes. This book manages to address these questions and more importantly demonstrates proven logical facts based on years of research.
I urge anyone who is interested in fashion or textiles to read this book and to digest its contents thoroughly. It will serve as an extensive eye-opener and alter your perception of the way that we consume fashion. I realize that I for one have been completely transformed in my thinking after reading this book. It will now be a priority for me to make a point out of checking the labels of clothing that I’m contemplating buying in order to make more informed decisions about how I spend my money and which labels I should support. Kate Fletcher’s ‘Sustainable Fashion & Textiles’ has helped me to realise the importance of starting to invest in well-made pieces from eco and ethical clothing labels. The book provides the foundations for a radical new perspective and introduces a refreshing new way of expressing myself to the outside world through the decisions I make about the clothing labels I support and the clothes that I wear.
Rachel Holland – Neo Creative
‘Sustainable Fashion and Textiles’ is published by EJ members Earthscan
