We have ventured into the world of sustainable fashion before. For the most part, almost every sector within our ecosystem has a part to play in protecting our environment and impacting climate change. Fashion is no exception. Fast fashion is at an all-time high, and while the phenomenon may fill up your wardrobe space quicker it has a drastic effect on our surroundings altogether. 

Sustainable fashion describes products, processes, activities and people that aim to achieve a carbon-neutral fashion industry built on equality, social justice, animal welfare and ecological integrity. The movement aims to combat the large carbon footprint that the fast fashion industry has created. If you are wondering whether you are contributing to this footprint, this article will help you understand. Fast fashion refers to garments that imitate new styles to market as quickly as possible, regardless of the impact on the environment and people’s health. Brands that fall under this include Shein, Zara, H&M etc. Many of these brands export clothing across the world. Sustainable fashion calls for a change in this fast consumerism and calls for us to make better choices. 

In Africa, the trend of sustainable fashion has surely grown as many designers have adopted innovative and creative techniques to create clothes that honour our planet. Yes, while there is a rise of fast fashion on our continent, we must accept that Africa on top of having the smallest carbon footprint today, we have also embraced different ways to control the impact our wardrobe has on the environment. Here are a few ways this is being done:

• Buying less and choosing better quality clothes that last longer. The key word is sustainability. The longer our clothes last, the less we buy and the less negative impact we have on the environment.

• Opting for natural, organic, or recycled materials that use less water and chemicals to produce. This goes out to the designers. Their choice of materials impacts their surroundings. If more designers used natural and more sustainable materials, the fashion world would be a safer place. 

• Supporting brands that are transparent about their supply chains and ethical practices. Several African brands have risen to create sustainable clothing, such brands include; Ajabeng Ghana uses organic cotton, natural dyes and traditional weaving methods to create contemporary clothing that celebrates Ghanaian culture and craftsmanship. Another brand is which creates jewellery and accessories from ethically sourced horn, bone, wood and brass from Burundi. 

• Donating, swapping, or reselling your unwanted clothes instead of throwing them away. This goes a long way. It is said that Africa is the dumping place for most of the waste that comes from more developed countries. While this may seem like a bad thing, it saves us a lot and helps reduce our footprint.

• Washing your clothes less frequently, using cold water and eco-friendly detergents, and air-drying them.

• Repairing or upcycling your clothes to give them a new life.

Buy less, choose well, make it last.

-Vivienne Westwood