Sustainable fashion is the way forward for today’s fashion Industry. It is not just a way of life but also a necessity for a better life and for protecting our environment. As a fashion design company, we are not only concerned about it but also motivate our brands and partners to adopt it. Sustainability can not only contribute to a healthier planet but also 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 rather 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 a jargon or a marketing mix. It has deep meaning and significance within it. To start a collection of sustainable clothing you need to start from scratch and it can start from sourcing and the right material selection. Also, it includes the process of 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 is Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance practices that businesses follow. 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 as compared to conventional fabrics.
Waste Reduction
Material wastage is not profitable for factories, buyers, and on environment. So, optimizing the usage and reducing waste is key. Factories must implement efficient processes like cutting techniques and recycling fabric scraps. It also applies to other materials and processes. One thing that everyone forget is the 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 certain 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 materials like 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 high amount of water and that 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 Company with knowledge and expertise in sustainable clothing can design a collection with those constraints.
Sustainable Clothing
Sustainable clothing has certain prerequisites. Unique design, Cut & Sew Patterns, and use of sustainable raw materials are part of it. Apart from this, there are other characteristics. Unfortunately, reputed fashion houses and trend research companies have not provided any insight into the fashion trends and forecasts for sustainable clothing so far. Those are outlined below.
Modular Design from Fashion Design Company
Designing sustainable clothing depends on the skill and experience of the technical designer. Sustainable clothing demands modular designs flexible enough for repair and customization. It also should be capable of Upcycling and prolonging the lifespan of the garments and reducing waste. The technical designer should be capable of drafting efficient garment design specifications.
Lean Manufacturing
As per the technical design specification, the factories should follow a lean production process. 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 for reducing wastage. Designers can prepare 3D samples to make sure the look and fit come out as per expectation. 3D mock-ups also help in marketing products without even 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 from raw material sourcing, processing, manufacturing, and distribution. This involves disclosing details about the vendors and the manufacturing process. This traceability helps track the garment’s journey through the supply chain. Those practice includes ethical sourcing, reducing environmental impact, improve welfare and consumer trust. Technologies like blockchain and RFID are used to achieve transparency and traceability.
Transparency
Provide customers with transparent information about your supply chain, including sourcing practices and manufacturing processes, to build trust and credibility.
Traceability
Implement traceability measures to track the origins of materials and ensure they meet sustainability standards, enabling 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 feedback from stakeholders and leveraging new technologies and materials.
By integrating sustainability into your design process and operations, your fashion design company can not only reduce its environmental impact but also 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.