I’m always wishing that the clothing industry might find its way toward a less petrochemical line of production, says Andre Walker, designer.
As the founder and principal of EDGE, I concur with Andre’s statement and see that Americans have become too obsessed with fast, cheap fashion that’s a continual stream of sameness. The fashion industry has become a victim to a disposable society who gives less value to quality, craftsmanship, and innovation. Today’s trendy must-haves become tomorrow’s cast-offs. What’s disappointing is that this fast and excessive market erodes the desire because of the overexposure.
According to statista.com, the global apparel market is projected to grow in value from 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars in 2020 to about 2.25 trillion dollars by 2025, showing that the demand for clothing and shoes is on the rise across the world. Nike, ZARA, H&M and Uniqlo are the most valuable fashion brands in the world. The three top selling apparel and footwear retailers were TJX Companies, H&M, and Inditex, the parent company for ZARA. ZARA, H&M, and Uniqlo are considered the market leaders in fast fashion.
EDGE is a platform, philosophy, and vision for support of those fashion creators [brands and designers] that push the boundaries to bring meaningful and unique collections to the market. Their pieces tell stories behind their creations, are conversation pieces, environmentally conscious, and have longevity.
Most of us did not live through the times when fashion was largely a designer-centered, custom-made business. By the end of the 20th century, new technologies and mass manufacturing led to the rise of the current industry as we know it today – MASSIVE, EXCESSIVE, and more of THE SAME. The designer-led, creative component has become less important. This alternative movement of Slow Fashion is bringing back to the forefront the individual artisan and independent retailer.
Read more at Sustainable EDGE.
Feature photo: Customers wait outside an H&M shop in central Hamburg November 8, 2007, to get clothes from a limited collection by Italian designer Roberto Cavalli. Cavalli designed a limited fashion collection for the Swedish-based retailer Hennes and Mauritz which went on sale from Thursday in about 200 shops worldwide. REUTERS/Christian Charisius (GERMANY) – RTX3NS
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Great post. I couldn’t agree more. We need to go back to slow fashion.
I think that the fashion industry should be flexible enough for both ends of the spectrum. The idea of a “trend” is that it is cyclical and therefore not long-lasting. Being able to buy inexpensive items to follow a temporary “craze” makes more sense than spending lots of money for something that is good for one season only. When one speaks of traditional items, those that have a shelf-life over decades, then yes having an option as described by EDGE makes all the sense in the world. I think when you read about fashion influencers, you realize that they strike a balance between both.
Very powerful post. The truth from many directions.