In the field of fashion, it is indisputable that the position of designer is among the most alluring jobs there is to be had. Even though product designers are often overshadowed by corporation CEOs in numerous other industry sectors, it appears that this is not the case in the fashion industry.
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Designers Appear to Encapsulate the Brand More Than Anything
This remains the situation sustainably, however in this instance, one could make the argument that the responsibilities associated with this role outweigh any actual benefits they may derive from playing it.
The last point, in specific, was something that wasn’t even a prime concern because the marketing department manages all of the promotional events. This was an important distinction to make. In any event, all of his duties were linked in some way to his employer, rather than to anybody else.
Things Are Very Different Now Than They Were Before
When a designer examines the procedure by which an article of clothing is made, he is compelled to refer back to his professional obligations to a significantly deeper knowledge of the method that is used to create a garment. This process begins with the extraction of raw materials and continues through the dispersion and packaging of the finished product. Cotton, for example, is one of those materials that we tend to take for granted, but according to this new point of view, it is capable of causing enormous resource imbalances, both in terms of natural and human resources.
If a designer wants to take into consideration the impact that his work has on a larger scale, then it is unavoidable that people will ask him to question the very notion of “great design.” In this blog, we are going to take a look at the four distinct levels of obligation that are linked to the new position of the designer in the realm of eco-fashion. Sustainable designers must be able to define processes and goals in a fashion brand that are capable of affecting change. A single designer cannot solve all of these problems by themselves, but this does not change the fact that a sustainable designer will be able to do so.
Social Obligations
At least four distinct categories of problems are associated with social responsibilities, and these are as follows: (1) the issue of labor exploitation (2) the welfare of both humans and animals (3) The alteration of the climatic changes (4) the pollution and the use of harmful chemicals.
It is now public knowledge that the majority of apparel is manufactured in Latin America and Southeast Asia, where the economic circumstances enable businesses to exploit laborers by taking advantage of reduced wage levels and impoverished workplace circumstances.
As was discussed in this blog, the significance of the origin country cannot be overstated. As a result, the “Made In” label has historically been connected to the privilege and quality that come with the expert knowledge and artistry of a country. Despite this, certain nations, such as Indonesia and Bangladesh, continue to be saddled with the negative connotation of practicing what is now commonly known as “labor exploitation” when it comes to the sustainable clothing industry.
A designer, as well as a customer, can take action as a result of this by demanding that businesses offer traceability concerning how product lines are moved through the development pipeline. In this sense, new innovative methods have been created due to the advancement of blockchain systems, which employ a groundbreaking method for managing knowledge verification by a framework of ledger accounts. Even though it was established in the context of economic transactions, blockchain technology has the potential to completely transform the distribution network. This much is generally agreed upon.
Ecological Obligations
This responsibility sphere is concerned with four primary aspects that affect the surrounding environment:
- The utilization of land and its influence on the deterioration of biodiversity.
- The incorporation of water into multiple phases of the manufacturing process for garments.
- The effect of the production of clothing on the environment as a pollutant contributes to climate change.
- The utilization of potentially harmful chemicals that affect the ecology of the surrounding area.
Many businesses, that are currently incorporating sustainable policies, are taking action on the outcomes of their actions; however, it is indisputable that the stage of design is where the most environmentally friendly processes can be implemented.
To our great good fortune, the business case for eco-fashion has been founded, and as a consequence, the quest for environmentally friendly designs is required by all various stakeholder groups, with the customers demanding it the most. Because Generation Z and Millennials seem to be exceedingly concerned about the issue, any brand that is looking to engage the younger generations is obligated to adhere to processes that are transparent and sustainable.
Economic Responsibilities
Designers have access to a wide range of creative resources, but they are still expected to defend their decisions by demonstrating how they contribute to the continued success of their employers’ businesses. In light of the recent developments in an environmentally responsible fashion, these economic responsibilities concern how businesses are run. Managing ambiguity while being requested to dramatically alter a business to comply with new environmental requirements is an extremely risky proposition.
Bigger businesses can maintain a higher level of control over their operational processes, which is among the primary motivations why the most intriguing efforts in this field are prompted by bigger corporations. This is because larger companies can pool more resources together. It is supported by the widespread adoption of the conglomerate business as a method of conducting business within the fashion industry.
Bigger businesses have a competitive edge when it comes to the implementation of change, which they use to their benefit to entice smaller businesses into their “spheres of activity” or ownership to offer services and advising that are otherwise unreachable to smaller business entities.
Despite this, we must not let ourselves fall into the trap of making a mistake. It’s not always the case that bigger is better. Even if bigger businesses can combine the best sustainability initiatives, which leads to a smaller carbon footprint for their product lines, this environmental benefit can be recompensed for by the elevated quantity of production, leaving the carbon emissions, possibly unmodified.
Cultural Obligations
The designer’s cultural obligations are inextricably linked to how style is communicated to the end user. Designers can change their consumers’ perceptions of them by utilizing a sense of exclusiveness and privilege in their work. It is expected of a sustainable designer to communicate environmental values in how a collection is designed to appeal to end-users, who are themselves a part of the manufacturing process. It is impossible to overstate this impact on a company’s capacity to convey a sense of obligation and responsibility toward its customers.
Sustainability is really about emerging innovations in garments and way of life such as simplicity and environmental awareness. Leaving the depiction of overabundance to other eras and times, sustainable development is about emerging innovations. For a business to be considered truly sustainable, its ultimate objective must not only be to produce while preserving the natural environment, but also to provide value systems that are in a position to shape the actions of customers.
Summary
As was just mentioned, a designer is increasingly considered to be a political leader in addition to being an artistic figure. Because of his decisions and the fact that he can affect all of the stakeholders involved in a business, he now bears a strain of obligations that recasts the part he plays in society.
The Economic Importance of Clothing Brands
In this context, future generations of designers will be capable of taking on these new responsibilities and leading their businesses to long-lasting changes, which will make their distribution network and production plants more sustainable in the interest of both internal and outside stakeholders.