The indulgence of identity and the stagecraft of environment steering the wheel of sustainable fashion- Paraphernalia of empowerment or denial

Clothes are not going to change the world, the women who wear them will – Anne Klein, with this thought, we must be in a position to contemplate on the manner in which identity contributes to the positioning of sustainable fashion. One must try to capture the intention of the environment acting as a catalyst in advocating the emancipation of women, opening doors for them to explore. The great global environmental depression  has escalated into several international, interpersonal violence along with a steep rise in environmental degeneration. This, to many could be concerns beyond the vistas of gender but if given well-founded rationality probing the subjugation of women, then it does fall under the jurisdiction of gender concerns. The close nexus between environmentalism and feminism accredit the ecofeminists to bring forward that the series of environmental mortification results into the slackening of the quality of life pertaining to the women, children and people of color.

The investment in human, environmental and economic assets can stimulate the magnification of the venture of sustainable development. A way for doing so, could be done by padlocking the gender gap which might induce measures to unshackle the chains of poverty, amplify collective welfare ensuring the safeguarding of sustainable development in all countries. Now, let us try to comprehend that both at the national and global level, sustainable economic growth can be attained by absorbing women in the labour foundation in order to make use of their prowess and competency. In countries such Turkey, Mexico, Italy and Greece, the employment gender gap is evidently conspicuous than countries like Iceland, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway.

The policies mapped out to make the most of female capital must keep in mind certain basic desirability. The policies designed shall consist of an affectionate touch, keeping in mind the benevolent attitude of the family. This in turn would lead to the provocation of women’s engagement in traditional and customary areas of work. The administrative machinery shall also promote certain positive reinforcements such as incentives to the women entering the area of science and technology along with granting financial aid to the entrepreneurs who are precisely women. Something that would enchant the ballooning of women unchaining would be to assimilate their viewpoints in the fashioning of environmental policies along with finer ways of homogenization of immigrant women workers in the employment base.

The squandering of ecology and  social consciousness acting as an apparatus to raise the stimulus of consumption –  The decades 1980 and 1990 have been viewed as timelines celebrating the process of sustainability as a social responsibility in the corporate realm. The consumers have in general adopted a very cautious outlook by encouraging the consuming and obtaining of products that promote sanctity between the environment and individual. The role of the apparel industry, influencing the planet is immense. Looking at the governments of the respective countries such as Europe, North America and Asia were the ones to commence the doctrine of ‘Green Economy’. The proposed conviction sets one eyes on inventing jobs encircling renewable energy and green buildings that would empower the women to participate vehemently.  The ingredient of sustainability in this unconventional mode of green economy can only be volunteered if women and the other discredited groups are given to shoulder the culpability. If this is not practiced then the world would be governed by the whims of the male frame of reference. The green public appropriation and the green inducement expenditure must indulge the proper hiring and training of women.

Sustainable fashion or eco-fashion modeling as apparatus of women empowerment–  Fashion labels such as ‘Bodice’, the brainchild of the Ruchika Sachdeva the couturiere have been bestowed with awards such as International Wool Mark Prize 2017/18, Vogue India Fashion Fund 2014 , Elle Design. The label has earned this reputation because of its keen awareness of the use of environmental products without annihilating the very soul of nature. There have been a host of endorsements both verbally and visually that throw light upon the concept of ethical – fashion. This has procured further momentum with Prince Charles releasing a statement that focuses on the essential practices of recycling, renewing and reusing phenomenon. We also know of Emma Watson ( An Activist , Actor, UN Goodwill Ambassador , Time’s Up Advocate ) adorned herself with a monochromatic five piece dress at the grandiose fashion event called The Met Gala in 2016 which was fashioned by Calvin Klein. The outfit was stitched out of three varied kinds of fabric which were entwined out of recycled plastic bottles. The latches were inter-knitted out of reclaimed matters and the bosomier with organic cotton. The actress also ratified her outfit to be worn at the promotions of her movie Beauty and The Beast by a sustainability environmental group called Eco Age which exhibits her engrossment in aggrandizing eco – fashion.

Turning our attention towards the women on the century, we must emphasize on the female battalion of enthusiasts such as Elena Taber who is also a Vlogger from the United States propagating the urgency to practice sustainable fashion. Another one in the queue is Sarah Therese, who is also a mother and a lifestyle Youtuber and Instagrammer. She strongly recommends people to imbibe a sense of ethical and eco-friendly living. Aileen Xu is a young, high – spirited musician who is a major inhabitant of the influencer tribe, an adherent of proper art and waste management has also been a torch – bearer of ethical living.

The Coalescence Of Sustainability and Unanimity– Maria Lafuente is a high- powered fashion designer who has solemnly been a votary of sustainable and ethical fashion. Her garments have very delightfully nurtured the employment of cellulose fibres certified by the Programme For The Endorsement Of Forest Conservation – PEFC. Maria works in close collaboration with the PEFC to orchestrate the use of sustainable materials judiciously along with the intent to acknowledge proper division of work and lesser outpouring of Carbon Dioxide.

The notion of femininity is often been corroborated with greenness. Lauren Singer is the proprietor of Package Free Shop – a zero waste online retailer, that uses a gender unprejudiced marketing approach to sell cutlery made up of bamboos and environmentally safe cleaning products. Lauren asserts that it is the ceaseless vanquishing of women that ignite in them the flicker to marshal.

The need of the hour is to sweep off the growing management crisis deepening such divide. The women from every socio-cultural backdrop must be able to encounter and quench the reproductive needs from every household and society at different stages along with a sense of shared family responsibilities. There should subsist a proposition devoid from any kind of machismo in the educational module upgrading the knowledge of environment. 

REFERENCES

• Values and motivations behind sustainable fashion consumption www.researchgate.net/publication/283009916_
• Fashion Brands and Consumers Approach www.researchgate.net/publication/325931724
• Ecofeminism http://lgruen.faculty.wesleyan.edu/files/2011/05/Gaard.pdf
• Sustainable and consumption www.researchgate.net/publication/338794970_
• The eco gender gap www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/
•  Gender Environment and Sustainabilitywww.cepal.org/en/publications

Alokananda Nag 

Intern, AGA