Crimson carpet type should be inexperienced

One of the biggest challenges facing the fashion industry in its step towards greater sustainability, we are changing the way we consume fashion.

It could be argued that the very term ‘fashion’ implies unsustainable behavior – with its emphasis on regularly changing tastes and the need to discard garments as soon as they are ‘out of fashion’, rather than because they are no longer fit to wear.

Perhaps the most talked about fashion event of the year will be The Oscars and its red carpet parade on March 12, 2023, with live-streamed blogs
of the fashion choices on show and much discussion in subsequent press coverage.

Red carpet outfits are often the opposite of a sustainable fashion choice. They are often impractical for daily or even other use – there are usually little consideration
for the material used and its sustainability profile; and re-wearing clothes on the red carpet has historically drawn criticism from fashion commentators. Sometimes attendees will even wear more than one outfit during an event – ​​changing from their red carpet outfit to a second fabulous disposable ensemble for various after parties.

The perception of fashion as a disposable commodity has helped drive the consumption of clothing. According to
analysis
past McKinseyincreased the number of garments purchased per capita by 60 percent between 2000 and 2014. European Environment Agency
estimates
EU citizens consume approximately 15 kg of textiles per year and dispose of 3.8 kg. These discarded textiles are often exported to other countries and many may end up in landfill or thrown into the environment. This level of waste and overconsumption is unsustainable and an important challenge for change in the industry.

A key driver in changing the way fashion is consumed will be to shift the focus away from novelty in clothing and instead praise more sustainable choices such as vintage items or those made from recycled fabrics. The influence of popular culture in driving such a mindset shift is an important factor.

Fashion brands see events like the Oscars as very rewarding showcases for their styles, with actors were often paid substantial sums
to wear special designers. While the high-end couture worn at these events will typically be well out of the price range of most consumers, the featured styles are quickly picked up and driven by cheaper fast fashion names keen to cash in on the buzz by bringing new lines to the market in question if
Weeks
or even
days.

The widespread media coverage and buzz around certain styles and designs make such events important influence points for the next big trend or designer. However, attention to the clothes worn at events such as the Oscars provides a potentially important lever to change the fashion debate. Imagine if the next day’s discussion of the best (and worst!) dressed contestants focused as much on the durability of their choices as on how they looked. A focus on the durability characteristics of the “best” dressed would also likely push the fast fashion names to try to follow suit in any copycat outfits they produce.

Happily, some efforts are already being made to make red carpet events greener. Individual actors have made remarkable sustainable choices in recent years. For example, Lady Gaga wearing a dress made of recycled coffee filters. Actors included Emma Stone,
Kate Winslet and Jane Fonda

has also pushed back against the need for novelty by “bravely” re-wearing clothes from previous events; and all from Meryl Streep to Emma Watson and Viola Davis has entered red carpets dresses made from recycled plastic bottles. There are also broader efforts such as e.g Red carpet green dress initiative, which works with designers and actors to promote more sustainable fashion choices at the Academy Awards.

We hope to see the trend towards more sustainable fashion choices on the red carpet continue and that this starts to get as much coverage as ‘best’ or ‘worst’ dressed opinions.