Understanding Sustainability

An introspection into what sustainability means to me as a designer and as an inhabitant of earth.

Pip Jenkins, Design Director of heritage knitwear brand, John Smedley inspired me to think about what sustainability means to me during her lecture when she spoke about the sustainable practices employed by the brand.

The concept of sustainability has been widely discussed in current times, especially in the fashion industry - which is the second most polluting industry in the world. But before delving into the topic of sustainability as a response to the damages caused by the fashion industry, it may help to understand what sustainability means to an individual in the purest, most basic sense.

Earth is our home, but it also houses 8.7 million other species of flora and fauna. Nature's generosity ensures that living beings are able to sustain themselves with food and water. Our homes are built from material mined from the earth. Our clothes are woven from fibers either harvested from plants or manufactured from petroleum. With free access to the resources provided by earth comes the responsibility of nurturing these resources, moderation in its use, and most importantly, responsible disposal of polluting materials.

When these ideals are applied every day, in every walk of life - be it by making thoughtful choices in everyday life or actively contributing to the conservation of natural resources and energy - a real change can and will be achieved. Sustainability will cease to be a box to be checked off, as it mostly is today. It will become a way of life, as it should be.

There are dozens of ways the fashion industry could incorporate sustainable practices in its machinery - from ethical material sourcing, clean manufacturing to following the principles of slow fashion. Treating employees and customers in an ethical and fair way is an equally important facet of sustainability.

As an individual, I acknowledge and respect the earth and its resources, for nurturing my body and mind. As a designer, I wish to actively and mindfully choose conservation of natural resources and energy over ease of access and capitalism wherever possible. With many young and experienced designers now passionately advocating for real sustainability - as opposed to green-washing - I truly believe that we are heading into a better era of harmony between this beautiful planet and it's inhabitants.