This Masterclass is all about fabrics, led by founder of this The Sustainable Fashion Collective and our sister business Offset Warehouse. We'll dive into the world of ethical materials, and specifically why we need to be using them to create our responsible products.
"For me, working more sustainably means combatting fast, disposable fashion. To make a product that transcends seasons and is cherished for decades to come, it needs to stand the test of time in a way that doesn't harm the environment or the people who make it."
The production of textiles is a vast subject, so this topic will be an overview of the facts in order to give you the general picture of what’s going on and, how it affects the planet and people. If you’d like to read about any of the issues in more depth, there are lots of links to useful and interesting articles at the bottom of this section.
In this Masterclass you will learn:
- An overview of what 'ethical' fabrics are
- How conventional textiles impact socially, environmentally and on health
- The environmental impact of textile production on water, soil and air
- The social impact of textile production, including how it affects you
- Textile production and animal welfare
- Best practices for extending the life and caring for your eco textiles [downloadable]
- The toxic chemicals in conventional textile production [downloadable guide]
- How to identify the areas of most concern to you with conventional textile production
- Recommended ethical fabrics and how to source them [downloadable]
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Introduction To Why We Need To Be Using Ethical Fabrics
with Charlie Bradley RossSummary
A short video on what to expect in this month's Masterclass, including a roundup of the issues that conventional textiles cause.
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The Environmental Impact of Textile Production
with Charlie Bradley RossSummary
Did you know that an estimated 20,000 litres of water are required to produce just 1kg of cotton fabric – that’s enough for just one t-shirt and a pair of jeans? Or that an estimated 8,000 synthetic chemicals are used worldwide to turn raw materials into textiles, many of which will be released into freshwater sources? Staggering!
In this video, we take a look at the jaw-dropping effects that irresponsible fashion production has on our planet. Once you have the knowledge, you can empower yourself to make more informed decisions on the best textiles to choose for your products.
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The Social Impact of Textile Production & A Fabric's Effect On You
with Charlie Bradley RossSummary
In this video, you'll learn about the social cost of textile production; from raw material to end product, how does it affect the people who produce it? Social impact also encompasses animal welfare. So the animals that create or contribute to the raw materials, how have they been treated? In the second half of the video, we take a look at how fabrics can affect your health and your customers' health as the wearer too. We'll discuss some of the nasty chemicals to avoid. We'll also take a look at some the companies and organisations doing amazing things (full list below).
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Where to Start With Ethical Fabrics
with Charlie Bradley RossSummary
Now you're aware of the environmental and social impacts of textile manufacture, it’s time to choose your fabrics - but where to start?
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Increase the Lifespan of Textile Products
with Charlie Bradley RossSummary
Did you know, extending the life-cycle of a garment by nine months, can reduce their carbon, waste and water footprint by 5-10%? Here, we share our tips for extending the life cycle of your products, both at the manufacturing level, and tips to share with customer to help at the consumer level.
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Toxic Chemicals Guide
with Charlie Bradley RossSummary
Understanding the chemicals used in clothing manufacturing and in the production of textiles is central in the debate around sustainable fashion. In this downloadable, we list the toxins to watch out for in your production.
Don't forget to watch the amazing live webinar with Chemsec, for advice on how to approach your producers to ask them for the list of chemicals they're using to manufacture your products.
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The Big Eco Fabric Supplier List
with Charlie Bradley RossSummary
I'm so delighted to present The Big Eco Fabric Supplier List! This ethical textile matrix contains my personal research spanning over a decade. I'm sharing this research because I am totally committed to helping members source all the ethical fabrics they require. Please read and respect the terms of use before contacting these producers.
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Why We Should Use Natural Dyes For Fashion
with Raaja RajanSummary
We were joined by Raaja Rajan, Chief of Operations for Natural Dye House, to learn more about the environmental and social impacts of using chemical dyes for textiles and fashion as opposed to natural, plant-based dyes. In an honest and eye-opening interview, Raaja explains how designers, brands, and consumers can all contribute to a less-polluting and more socially engaged fashion industry in India.
Interviews
Sofia Ilmonen: Organic Fabrics and A Unique Organic Process
Saturday Sep 1st, 2018
Ellen Rock: Collaborating with artisans across the globe
Monday Apr 1st, 2019
Technical Tutorials
Fabrics: Wild Rubber from the Amazon
Sunday Jul 1st, 2018
Weganool®: Vegan Wool Fabric Made From Weeds
Tuesday Jul 7th, 2020
Past Events
Additional links:
Textile Exchange's 2019 Preferred Fiber and Materials Report - market shares of all materials, their social and environmental impacts and innovative material science companies you can read up on
Labour Behind The Label Reports - up to date reports on supply chain news, tools for checking up on brands, and explanations on production routes for fashion items
Systain Report (referred to in video two)
The Higg Index from the Sustainable Apparel Coalition
Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals’ Roadmap to Zero - a collaboration between key industry stakeholders to reduce hazardous chemicals in the entire supply chain. The ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (ZDHC MRSL) is a list of chemical substances that you can use to up your knowledge, but also as a tool when working with textile suppliers.
Waste Resources & Action Programme (WRAP)’s Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP)
Follow on Masterclasses:
Sourcing Sustainable Trims And Haberdashery
Working With Sustainable Cellulosic Fibres
Recycled Fabrics: The Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts
Additional Reading
Spring Summer 2022 Colour And Material Trends: Premiére Vision
Monday Feb 22nd, 2021
Does Bioengineering Hold the Key to Our Material Future?
Monday Feb 15th, 2021
Cute Indian Handwoven Khadi Fabrics For Clothing And Interiors
Tuesday Jan 5th, 2021
Building A British Fibreshed And Its Benefit For Fashion
Friday Jul 3rd, 2020
What is Regenerative Agriculture?
Thursday Jul 2nd, 2020
Eco producers, manufacturers and innovators at Première Vision September 2019
Monday Sep 30th, 2019
Tips for attending fabric trade shows like Première Vision
Monday Sep 30th, 2019
Innovative Materials for Fashion: The Questions You Should Be Asking
Monday Jun 24th, 2019
What is banana fibre and how do you make textiles from it?
Monday Jun 3rd, 2019
Sustainable Fashion In Australia - Menswear!
Tuesday Jan 31st, 2017