When thinking about what’s upcoming in the world of fashion, new styles and designers may come to mind. But, in a world facing ever changing issues in environment and sustainability, the source material and creation of the newest wave of clothing may be more topical than any favorite handbag or scarf for the current season. In FIT’s “Food and Fashion” exhibit, displayed pieces from several different eras and styles are presented with information about their creation, with a specific few sharing their sustainably sourced roots.
On one 1920’s dress, the pink silk chiffon fabric is adorned with sparkling sequins, but not ones made of plastic. The sequins on this dress are made of gelatin, which comes from collagen in animal products. Although the non-plastic sequins are not built to withstand heat or humidity, the gelatin provides a biodegradable alternative that serves just as well in matching the aesthetic goals of a 1920’s designer. Similarly, the exhibit also displayed a Mi Terro t-shirt featuring the phrase “This tee is made from milk” across the chest. This “Milk Waste T-shirt” is made from fibers produced from casein, a protein taken from milk that has gone bad and would otherwise have gone to waste. Along with repurposing spoiled milk, the production of this t-shirt also requires 60% less water than the average cotton t-shirt, while also having anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
With the current state of the climate crisis, and the fast fashion industry’s large carbon footprint and contribution to waste around the globe, steps to create clothing with sustainable methods is needed now, more than ever. In its display of sustainable methods and irregular clothing production, “Food and Fashion” encourages other designers, and even consumers, to be more mindful and creative in the production and purchase of garments, inspiring a push in the right direction for fashion everywhere.
When walking by that same dress, I would not have ever realized that it was a statement about the carbon footprint of the fashion industry and how we throw away waste instead of reusing it. It is really interesting to me because there is so much waste in the world that could be reused, but we still don’t use it, which is a shame considering all the things that could be made, like clothing, which could easily be reused and have a long life-span, unlike the single-use of a plastic water bottle.
It is interesting how many items included in the Food and Fashion Exhibit were made from materials that would have been food waste. The fashion industry definitely creates a lot of carbon emissions from sourcing the materials to production and transportation of the goods. It is good that designers are finding new ways to produce more sustainable fashion items.
I would have never thought that way you discussed it in your writing. I didn’t pay attention to it a lot when I was there, but it was interesting to see how they used food waste to make fashionable items. It was quite impressive and I appreciate how they made outfits from scratch.