Sustainable fashion is the way forward for today’s fashion Industry. It is a way of life that is necessary for a better life and protecting our environment. As a fashion design company, we are concerned about it and motivate our brands and partners to adopt it. Sustainability can contribute to a healthier planet and provide operational efficiency. As a fashion design agency, we do everything possible to promote sustainable fashion. This is possible right from the beginning, starting from an idea. Our tech pack designers help our brands focus more on sustainability than style. So, we incorporate sustainability in technical detailing from the style idea we get. Let’s explore how a fashion brand can integrate this into its designs.
Sustainable Sourcing and Material Selection and Technical Specification from Fashion Design Company
Sustainability is not just jargon or a marketing mix. It has deep meaning and significance. To start a collection of sustainable clothing, you need to start from scratch, and this can begin with sourcing and the suitable material selection. It also includes selecting vendors based on social, ethical, and environmental performance factors. The idea is to arrive at a deal where both parties are in a win-win situation. Also, it does not affect the environment in any way.
Ethical Sourcing
Ethical sourcing is a sustainable and responsible way to source materials. It involves buying from businesses that comply with legal requirements and ESG Compliance. ESG refers to companies’ Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance practices. Partners and suppliers who adhere to ethical practices ensure the well-being of workers. Such compliance includes fair wages, safe working conditions, etc.
Environmentally Friendly Materials
Factories producing sustainable clothing must choose organic materials. They must use sustainable materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and Tencel. Those materials have a lower environmental impact, so they cause considerably less pollution and harm than conventional fabrics.
Waste Reduction
Material wastage is not profitable for factories, buyers, or the environment. So, optimizing usage and reducing waste is vital. Factories must implement efficient processes like cutting techniques and recycling fabric scraps. This also applies to other materials and methods. One thing that everyone forgets is electricity consumption. It directly or indirectly contributes to environmental pollution.
Efficient Design and Production Process with Fashion Design Company
Designing and producing sustainable clothing requires following specific procedures. And it can start right in the beginning. The designer has to understand and incorporate the concept of minimalism in tech packs. They should be well aware of the raw materials and use them in the design elements. The idea is to use organic cotton, recycled polyester, or bamboo cotton. In short, the designer has to choose biodegradable components. Also, it should not have pesticides or any chemicals used in it. Use innovative processing techniques. Those can be printing, natural dyes, and waterless printing techniques. This helps reduce the need for harmful chemicals and conserve water resources.
To optimize the consumption, you can work on the pattern and styling. Innovative cut-and-sew patterns can help reduce fabric waste. This should be done by both a tech pack designer and an efficient pattern maker. The garment industry uses a lot of water, which leads to pollution. So, the implementation of water-efficient processes is a good practice. Water is needed for dying and washing. Some of the efficient techniques are dry washing and the use of compressed carbon dioxide to color fabrics. Fashion design Companies with knowledge and expertise in sustainable clothing can design collections that meet those constraints.
Sustainable Clothing
Particular prerequisites for sustainable clothing include unique design, Cut-and-Sew Patterns, and sustainable raw materials. Other characteristics are also required. Unfortunately, reputed fashion houses and trend research companies have not provided any insight into the fashion trends and forecasts for sustainable clothing. Those are outlined below.
Modular Design from Fashion Design Company
Designing sustainable clothing depends on the technical designer’s skill and experience. Sustainable clothing demands modular designs that are flexible enough for repair and customization. It should also be capable of upcycling, prolonging the lifespan of the garments, and reducing waste. The technical designer should be capable of drafting efficient garment design specifications.
Lean Manufacturing
The factories should follow a lean production process per the technical design specification. This will help streamline the production process and reduce lead time. Ultimately, this will help manage resources efficiently and optimize consumption.
Digital Prototyping
Use digital tools for pattern making and prototyping to reduce the need for physical samples, saving time and resources. Virtual fashion is the way forward to reduce wastage. Designers can prepare 3D samples to ensure the look and fit meet expectations. 3D mock-ups also help market products without producing any samples or mass production.
Supply Chain Transparency and Traceability
It refers to the practice of information transparency across the production process. It starts with raw material sourcing, processing, manufacturing, and distribution and involves disclosing details about the vendors and the manufacturing process. This traceability helps track the garment’s journey through the supply chain. Those practices include ethical sourcing, reducing environmental impact, and improving welfare and consumer trust. Technologies like blockchain and RFID are used to achieve transparency and traceability.
Transparency
To build trust and credibility, provide customers with transparent information about your supply chain, including sourcing practices and manufacturing processes.
Traceability
Implement traceability measures to track the origins of materials and ensure they meet sustainability standards. This will enable you to make informed decisions about your supply chain.
Collaboration
Collaborate with like-minded organizations, suppliers, and experts to share knowledge and resources, fostering innovation and driving sustainability initiatives forward.
Continuous Improvement
Continuously evaluate and improve your sustainability practices, incorporating stakeholder feedback and leveraging new technologies and materials.
By integrating sustainability into your design process and operations, your fashion design company can reduce its environmental impact, improve efficiency, and drive innovation. By focusing on sustainable sourcing, efficient design and production processes, supply chain transparency, and collaborative partnerships, you can create a more sustainable and successful fashion brand that resonates with conscious consumers and contributes positively to the planet.