Fashion Sustainability: Benefits of Using Sustainable Practices in Producing Sustainable Fashion Designs

Abstract

The fashion industry is one of the main contributors to the world’s largest pollution. It is due to the tons of water usage producing excess carbon dioxide gas, excessive use of energy to produce clothing, and non-renewable sources for fibre, fibre, and environmental pollution with harmful chemicals. This study aims to explore the benefits of using sustainable fashion design materials and manufacturing practices. In-depth interviews were conducted with six experts in the fashion industry. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed four themes of sustainable fashion benefits, i.e., reduce environmental pollution, increase consumer convenience, reduce costs, and increase societal development. Sustainability is an important aspect of fashion design, whether in producing fibre or the production of fashion design itself. Therefore, the fashion industry must be responsible to the community and the environment by ensuring less negative environmental impact of garment production involving raw materials, processing, and production. Furthermore, early education intervention is essential to shape one’s behaviour and promote critical thinking towards a more sustainable future for all groups in achieving sustainable development goals.