Published on : 27 February 20193 min reading time
The textile industry is the largest employer in the world, with 23.6 million people (figures: 2015). In fact, we do not really know how many work in this sector, but the figure could be five to ten times higher.
Fashion, a sector dominated by man
The parade season, which ended in Paris in early October, is an opportunity to return to parity in fashion. While the sector is still female, barely 40% of ready-to-wear collections are designed by women.
Not that humane
It was necessary to date the awareness of the excesses of the fashion industry, we would give the 24 April 2013. That day, the working conditions of some suppliers of the sector in Bangladesh were revealed by the tragedy of the Rana Plaza. The collapse of this Dhaka building caused the death of more than 1,100 employees for about 2,500 survivors. Since then, on social networks, in schools, in shopping centers, the public has been wondering about the cost in human life of a cheap T-shirt. Fashion victims, ok, but not fashion victims. Another key date, 2015 and COP21. The subject of sustainable development is on the table, the media is starting to designate the textile industry as the second most polluting industry in the world. While it is difficult to find reliable data and sources for this ranking, the updated figures (Quantis, February 2018) are edifying as these 6.7% of global greenhouse gases attributable to the sector. We also know the harmful consequences of cotton growing which requires too much pesticides, the carbon footprint inherent to the relocation of manufacturing, the pollution caused by the maintenance of clothing or the overconsumption linked to the boom of fast fashion banners. and its cheap textile.
Circular economy
Less than a year ago, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation also issued a shock report recalling that garment production has doubled in the last fifteen years and that in 2017 we have thrown away $ 460 billion worth of clothes. portable. This manifesto to read on the Internet militates for the circular economy (rental of clothing, recycling, etc.), which is already a phenomenon among millennials. If the question is complex, the reaction of consumers is simple. Especially among this famous new generation who is interested in the origin of the products and the values of the brands. On the other side of the mirror, more and more fashion players are proposing alternatives to this state of affairs. Thus, in schools, in France and abroad, not a student in design or marketing who integrates this dimension “responsible” in his project.