Ethics and Sustainability in Luxury and Fashion Industries

According to the European Environment Agency of the European Parliament, the impact of textile production accounts for the 10% of global CO2 emissions, a percentage that surpasses maritime and air transport combined. And that’s not only to have in count, it’s estimated that 20% of contaminated water comes from the textile industry itself. It is no coincidence because the washing of synthetic clothing is one of the causes of 25% of microplastics in the environment, filling oceans with 0.5 million tons each year, making it the second largest cause of water pollution.

These are statistics that cannot be overlooked, that’s why various organizations, including the European Union, have been working for several years to address the issue with a series of initiatives and legislation to reduce environmental damage. Something that many luxury brands have supported.

Optimizing Design and Manufacturing

One way to reduce the impact is directly related to how the product is produced and how it reaches stores. This involves a process of research and development of innovative materials that respect the environment without compromising aesthetics or quality. This also includes packaging, even those that we don’t see but are essential for transporting products to stores. This point is one of the main focuses of the Eco-design for Sustainable Product Regulation (ESPR), which the EU has implemented as of July 2024. Therefore, it is important to have not only a sustainable perspective but also to understand the entire production process, including, of course, the marketing associated with it.

What’s expected in the future?

While governmental organizations continue developing more proposals, such as increasing fiber reuse rather than destruction (as, currently, the percentage of clothing reused is only 1%, being the incineration the preferred method of disposal despite its environmental impact) or implementing other legislation to push to reduce microplastics in the environment. New innovations are also expected to improve the optimization process mentioned earlier. For this reason, some brands, like Dior, have partnered with start-ups using artificial intelligence to predict demand and trends, for accelerating the design process and creating not only more specific products but also ones that are more environmentally friendly. This approach creates a more optimistic view of an ecological future, while also generating new jobs for those skilled in managing these emerging technologies.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite the integration of new regulations, the fashion and luxury industries confront several challenges due to the complexity of the sector. The industry involves large chains with providers and manufacturers from all over the world, each of which has its own regulations. Additionally, these initiatives require a high investment, as they are directly aimed at changing the production chain as we know it.

But is a good base to start

Not only the public is becoming more aware and starting to penalize companies that violate these regulations or contribute to these pollution percentages, but also, within professional education, more schools are choosing to teach these principles. Many institutions are implementing these systems from the very beginning in their curriculum, helping to raise awareness among future entrepreneurs and encouraging them to continue fighting for a better future.