Blog Two Reflection

Starting to understand the actuality of of Sustainability in the apparel industry doesn't mean with fashion trends, color schemes, and selling techniques means so much more.  The way we process fibers, manufacture apparel, sell it, consume it, and dispose of it which mocks natures food process mentioned in 'Cradle to Cradle' is what the goal to sustainability is.  How we choose to do this, either by biological cycles or technical cycles depends of what substances we're working with.  The biological cycle are for materials that can be biodegraded. Technical cycles deal with the technical materials that stay close looped that are considered valuable nutrients for the industry. One without the other cannot do the job alone, but they are to be remained separated.

Different techniques that have caught my attention have been the different ways people are upcycling old garments.  The link and example of the lady who is taking the challenge to upcycle a dress a day for under a dollar has inspired me to check my closet to see what could be done about my 'undesired' garments. Instead of donating every item that I planned on getting rid of, changing the old tee's into tank tops and the dress pants into cut-offs.  I had an idea about left over loose fabrics which can be re-used and cut down into smaller material for gardening or sewn into quilts.

I was very unaware of how much we take up of the earth when we are mining for raw minerals. Some of the minerals which we do obtain aren't safe to use. Take the lead that was used with leather. According to the AAFA, it's illegal to use it in childrens apparel. There is no need for the apparel industry to obtain lead for it's products.  This has made me brainstorm ideas about what companies can do to take the next steps into sustaining their company and help them financially cut back in areas where unnecessary spending on minerals occur.

The idea for someone to lose one's self in the way they seek out retail stores because of what the product does for them and change their mindset to what the product does for the environment. As a consumer, the way we discard our undesired garments into a trash bin should never be the first option. Reusing or Recycling it can be such an easy alternative.

I plan on losing myself and challenging my peers, friends, and family alike to do the same.