Sustainability is more in fashion than ever before, and it’s not a passing fad.
In an industry that produces items in massive quantities, and with an increasing leaning toward fast fashion, there are voices awakening in the fashion industry that recognize the toll on the environment, and are pushing forward to encourage sustainable fashion.
Celebrities with a conscience are well positioned to speak out to create awareness in order to bring about a change. And this is exactly is what is happening. It’s exciting to see that the fashionistas themselves are bringing about the change they wish to see.
So while sustainable fashion may not sound fashionable at all, celebrities by the likes of Livia Firth and Emma Watson are changing this perception. Livia Firth (wife of English actor Coin Firth- Bridget Jones’ Baby) took the leap by walking down the red carpet in a 100% sustainable gown in 2016. She established Eco-age, a consultancy to promote sustainable fashion and has gotten celebrities to do the same in glamorous, sustainable garb to promote the ecological soundness of the industry.
Emma Watson, a young up and coming star, is stirring attention to create awareness around eco-fashion and is leveraging her latest movie, Beauty and the Beast, to put her point across. And when you throw a high end brand in on the game – such as the likes of Louis Vuitton, who can argue? Watson wore a Louis Vuitton piece - a recycled dress made from used plastic bottle son the Red Carpet on the red carpet.
And now, Firth’s Eco-Age are taking things to the next level. As the fashion industry begins to come to terms with the fact that things need to change, Eco-age is collaborating with top fashion houses in Italy namely Gucci, Fendi, Armani, Prada, and Valentino, and Italian Government Trade and Economic Agencies, to launch what is being dubbed “The Oscars of Sustainable fashion” - the Green Carpet Fashion awards in September 2017.
Italy as a design hub is uniquely positioned to be host to a first of its kind award. Though very high end, perhaps, as these fashion houses set the trends for fashion, they may be the catalyst of change in promoting sustainability in the industry. It’ll be interesting to watch how it unfolds and what we see on the catwalks and red carpets in coming seasons.
So will red carpets eventually be replaced Green carpets? It seems a way off, but definitely moving in the right direction.
This is perhaps an expected development following the global Detox campaign kicked off in 2011 by Greenpeace. Many leading brands have joined the pledge to remove all toxic and harmful chemicals from textile production processes by 2020. So far regulations on hazardous materials have been changed to varying degrees in the EU, Indonesia and China, and it’s safe to say that others will follow. Fashion houses will need to give thought not only to where they source their fabrics and materials, but the chemicals, processes and ethics involved in the production. With the development of digital printing solutions in recent years, this can now be put into practice.
Traditional dyeing and printing requires water in large quantities for the process. In order for fashion to be sustainable, alternative processes in which the quantity of water required is significantly reduced or eliminated altogether.
Kornit has developed water-based NeoPigment™ inks which are absolutely free of heavy metals, formaldehyde and Alkylphenol Ethoxylates (APE), making them non-hazardous, non-toxic and 100% biodegradable. the Neopigment ™ waterless printing solutions eliminate textile preparation and finishing processes saving significant water and energy resources.
Kornit’s NeoPigment™ inks are part of Kornit’s waterless, eco-friendly printing system.
All hazardous and toxic materials have been eliminated completely from Kornit solutions. Roll to roll and direct to garment solutions offered by Kornit are equally sustainable and eco-friendly, abiding by detox regulations, safe products, with the bonus of being waterless and requiring no pre-treatments. Kornit’s water-based NeoPigment inks are biodegradable. These factors combined make Kornit the most eco-friendly printing solution available today.
Eco-friendly dress whose fabric was printed on Kornit’s Allegro printer using Kornit’s eco-certified NeoPigment ink.
Being committed to keeping our footprint at a minimum and that of our customers is at the core of Kornit’s policy. Kornit takes it that one step further. Sustainability is more than just a passing trend. It’s here to stay.
To read more about Kornit’s textile printing solutions, go to
http://www.kornit.com/printing-solutions/