Given that fashion is an ever-growing industry, expanding by 21% over the past three years; it is no surprise that the clothing and textiles industry has garnered over $3000 billion in previous years! While fashion’s universality unites countries and cultures together, transcending across language barriers, the industry also serves as one of the world’s biggest polluters, exacerbating our climate crisis. London Fashion Week this fall saw many designers showcasing beautiful ranges of clothing. Whilst some designers are, unfortunately, still far from being eco-friendly when designing their collections, other designers have taken initiative this season to answer the age-old question - how can the fashion industry help to decrease the effects of our climate crisis? Here’s an insight into one particularly stylish collection from this season that puts us in the right direction towards helping the environment.

Richard Quinn’s SS20 Collection

Becoming an overnight sensation during LFW Fall 2019, Quinn’s latest collection was inspired by the Royals after the Queen visited his catwalk show four seasons ago. Despite maintaining the over-the-top extravagance of a royal-like appearance, Quinn’s methods for creating this collection was far from extra. The choice of printers used required as little water as possible to function, while the inks used were neutralised to prevent them from permeating through our water system. All prints made were created according to specific numbers so there were no wasted materials post fashion week. He also ensured production happened onsite, reducing the possibility for international shipping. Whilst his means of production were minimal, this collection of sophisticated gowns boasts lattice details and crystal embellishments along with floral toned prints and bold shapes.

Richard Quinn’s latest collection serves as a perfect example of how saving our planet inevitably can be done in style! While it can be easy to fall into the trap of believing materials cannot be recycled into creating more good quality outfits, we must not lose sight of the fact that while the fashion industry constantly changes and expands, our planet will also continue suffering from the repercussions of these wasted materials and transportation costs. Collections like Quinn’s, therefore, remind us that it is, indeed, possible for fashion to become eco-friendly overtime.

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