Could A Fashion Czar Be The Answer To Ethical Fashion?

Designers, academics and journalists are urging the Biden’s new administration to appoint a fashion czar to advocate sustainable and humane practices in the industry. Could such a czar bring about change?

- Amos Chin

IN RECENT YEARS, we have seen a surge in sustainable fashion across the globe. As brands put their best efforts into reducing their environmental impact, other egregious issues have come to the fore as the world grapples with the international pandemic. Earlier last month, Fast Company journalist Elizabeth Segran, underscored the environmental and social issues permeating supply chains in America — suggesting legislation. While there are regulations in the automobile and oil industries, Segran highlighted that there seem to be no plans to regulate fashion despite it producing 10 percent of global carbon emissions. The recent COVID-19 has also magnified other issues and she believes that this is an opportunity to deal with this deeply problematic sector.

Seasonal Collection Fuels Overproduction The immense pressure of the global fashion calendar puts designers in a frenzy as they scramble to produce a growing number of capsules in-between seasonal collections. However, in recent times, the pandemic spotlighted the harmful effect of overproduction. Many fashion brands like Saint Laurent, Gucci and Michael Kors started questioning the traditional fashion system and have removed themselves from the antiquated calendar schedule. “I have for a long time thought that the fashion calendar needs a change,” said Michael Kors in a statement. “We have all had time to reflect and analyse things, and I think many agree that it is time for a new approach for a new era.”