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Why do we prefer to talk about sustainable fashion rather than eco-responsible fashion?

Eco-responsible fashion, ethical fashion, slow fashion, conscious fashion, eco-friendly fashion, green fashion: we rightly hear more and more about all these terms. But what do they really mean? And why do we prefer to talk about sustainable fashion at Rafale?

What is eco-responsible fashion?

Eco-friendly fashion, or sustainable fashion, is an overarching term that refers to products, processes, people, businesses (policymakers, brands, consumers) aiming to create a carbon-neutral fashion sector , based on equality, social justice, animal welfare and ecological awareness.

Sustainability in fashion is not just about textiles or products. It concerns the entire product life cycle , which includes how clothing is produced, consumed and disposed of.
As you can imagine, talking about eco-responsible fashion is very engaging. If we want to be honest, it is the entire textile production sector that we must audit before we can label our clothes as eco-responsible .

Where does slow fashion come from?

Slow fashion is directly inspired by Slow Food imported from Italy in the 1980s. This movement advocates a slower, thoughtful and responsible mode of consumption, with the idea of ​​consuming less but better. Slow fashion clearly emerged as a response to the fast fashion industry , which is characterized by rapid production cycles, poor quality clothing and labor practices... which are not always ethical.

With slow fashion, we are more on the side of craftsmanship, quality, sustainability. We favor pieces designed to last with a strong history that stands the test of the seasons .

What about ethical fashion?

Ethical fashion is primarily concerned with the social aspects and human rights behind the production of clothing . It involves ensuring that clothing is produced with respect for the rights and well-being of workers throughout the supply chain. The key elements of ethical fashion are:
- Fair labor practices : we are talking about fair wages, safe working conditions and reasonable working hours for garment workers.
- Transparency of the supply chain : from the purchase of raw materials to manufacturing and distribution. Traceability down to the essence of the fiber is essential.
- Community impact : Ethical fashion takes into account the broader social impact of clothing production on local communities, supporting initiatives that contribute to their development.
© WGSN

Why do we prefer to talk about sustainable fashion?

Ultimately, despite these definitions, everyone has their own vision of eco-responsible fashion . Should you choose natural leather or vegan leather? Is organic cotton really ecological? Is production in France really more ethical? The debates are open and we are far from having found the solution for perfect production!

This is why we prefer to talk about sustainable fashion, the one that corresponds to our vision of conscious fashion.

Reasoned fashion: Our 3 keys.

Filter fibers and materials.

For us, sustainable fashion begins with sorting . We have developed our own eco-responsibility charter : we always favor natural, recycled or upcycled fibers and locally made products. We pay attention to ensuring that the pieces we select are as durable as possible and last through the seasons .

     

Be transparent no matter what.

What is also essential for us is to have foolproof transparency . We explain everything about the fibers we distribute and the origin of the pieces.

Long live fun and creative fashion!

Finally, Rafale is committed to keeping fashion fun and creative . And it’s totally compatible with sustainable fashion! You can fall in love with a strong piece while keeping it as long as possible. No morals, no headaches, we move the lines together. If we managed to get you to buy one of our pieces rather than fast fashion then we will have won everything. 💚

Gabriela Hearst