UNSTITCHED: How the Fashion Industry is Destroying the Planet

An Our Collective Impact production, Unstitched is a sustainable fashion documentary which sheds light on the fashion industry and the impacts it's having on the planet and its people. Simultaneously it remains optimistic about the future by providing solutions and showcasing a range of change-makers.
Contributors Include:
Fashion Revolution
London College of Fashion
The V&A
Traid
War on Want
Stories Behind Things
Antiform
Tamay & Me
Just Style
Our Collective Impact: / ourcollectiveimpact
Jenny Rygalska:
Producer
Director
Editor
Richard Dimery:
Colour
Audio
Director of Photography
Modestas Jurkas:
Camera
About Our Collective Impact:
Our Collective Impact is a sustainability focused online platform which shares thought provoking climate conscious stories.
#sustainability #sustainablefashion #sustainableliving #fashion #documentary #film #fastfashion #secondhand #vintage #climatechange #thrifting #recycle

[@violetsarelavender]

Previous generations could boast of clothes/vehicles/utensils which lasted generations. Now the quality of the product is so poor ... aimed at buying new one within few months, our generation can hardly boast about the quality. Such irony. We live in the age of surplus and yet are not satisfied.

[@sillygrill]

That’s what happens when we have a system that prioritizes quarterly profits over our universal humanity. Capitalism inevitably leads to the demise of society by rewarding whoever can best exploit the most valuable and most vulnerable resources, like humans and nonrenewable natural resources.

[@violetsarelavender]

@@sillygrill yupp. I agree. Even though capitalism seems great for certain things. Overall without reigning it in, it's only about profit and not really human upliftment. Edit: some spelling mistakes edited.

[@pedinurse1]

As a teen I learned to sew all of my clothing, except for coats. I always had great fashion, did full time school straight into nursing school. I made Vogue high fashion style for my graduation which was a big hit, made in blue linen and lined in cotton. I taught myself with my mothers help, read books and upon graduation bought the best sewing machine I could get. Still sewing after 50 years.

[@joylox]

My grandmother taught me to sew as a teen, and left me her sewing machine. I've been making my own clothes for 10 years, and always try to get natural materials where I can and avoid polyester. Mostly because I find polyester gets too bumpy after a few washes and doesn't feel good, not to mention how difficult a lot of it is to sew with. I made my high school graduation dress out of satin, but I've also worn it a few times since. I gotta say, things really went downhill when society decided plastic was better. The sewing machine I have is from 1975, all metal, and will sew through just about anything. I had a cheap plastic one before that, and no comparison, it wasn't strong enough for some materials like more than 2 layers of denim. I mostly reuse old sheets and turn them into things like tote bags or even shirts. It's taught me a lot about making the most of the materials I have, and being able to have fun and enjoy different things while not buying a bunch of stuff or causing large amounts of waste.

[@BeckBeckGo]

Coats are difficult. And, depending on your climate, you may need technical specs that you’re not able to do. Get your coats and jackets from Patagonia. They are totally sustainable. Yes they’re expensive, but their clothing lasts forever. So over time, you save a lot of money. I have had the same winter jacket for ten years now.

[@gabrielarudin1]

Brought to the point and as a fashion designer I'm really struggle with this reality... so we designers need to use our Creative mind to turn the wheel around...

[@OurCollectiveImpact]

Thanks for watching Bonnyn, that's where it all starts, we're so excited to see future innovation.

[@patriciadasilva2017]

That is exactly the reason why I decided to knit my garments when possible! Handmade by me!

[@maazahmed1695]

What an Amazing video! I am a Denim Fabric Sourcing Specialist who works mainly for sustainability and does research on new fibers, natural dyes, etc. and I must say our planet earth has so much to offer where we can replace these synthetic materials. Surely, by the collective approach, we can save our planet. The utmost thing is to create awareness through different social media platforms where we can build our community to spread this awareness even more!

[@epicellen7299]

We were making clothes with natural fibres for hundreds of years, until it was realised resources couldn't keep up. Plus slavery, children, men and women suffering by inhaling cotton fibres and dangerous machinery in workhouses had to change/stop. We had to stop cutting down trees meant for paper and cardboard. Bri-Nylon, polyester, plastic and other manmade materials were invented to save the planet. We will never win unless we go back to smaller shops, boutique's and food unwrapped. Just like the old days and some other parts of the world

[@maazahmed1695]

@@epicellen7299 these can be controlled but once the plastic goes to the landfill you have no idea what it could be for our environment. Climate change is one of the major signal

[@andreang13]

I really wanted to work in the fashion industry but I didn’t wanted to contribute in pollution and over consumption so I quit. I don’t want to contribute to the problem. Instead I just sew for myself long lasting item that I love.

[@mernaloy2269]

I love it ! Makes me glad to see that the wastefullness of trendy clothing is finally being addressed.

[@Sew_OzzyWar_Made_This]

This was informative, but I feel like there's much more to say!! Why no one brings up the potential of Hemp?

[@steverygalski730]

Great documentary, very informative on how we can all make clothing more eco/labour-rights friendly. Very thought provoking. Need to change public behaviours and then get manufacturers and retailers to start learning and applying the lessons.

[@OurCollectiveImpact]

Exactly! Without the high demand maybe suppliers will change towards a more ethical & environmentally friendly way of creating. This is what consumers want!

[@katewoodruff8806]

Love seeing behind the scenes how clothes are sorted for charity shops - mind blowing

[@OurCollectiveImpact]

So interesting! & slightly sickening just how much we donate/ dispose of, this throwaway culture needs to end!

[@evarodriguezalequin5705]

I believe this! Fashion industry is selll and sellll. Make money and become rich for the companies owner.

[@waldoburgos10]

Love the approach you gave to the documentary. Focusing on solutions is the way to make a change. Thank you for such compiling piece of knowledge 🙌🏾

[@joylox]

I'm curious as to what people think of Tencel. I've heard good things about them, but also accusations that they're not as sustainable as they say. I just bought some Tencel fabric for my wedding as I sew my own clothes and it certainly feels much nicer than polyester. But I try to use recycled and upcycled things when I can. Using old sheets and tablecloths has been my main thing. Reusable shopping bags are a great way to use old sheets, just cut around any rips or stains. And if it's plain, they can even make good shirts! I've made it a point not to buy polyester unless I really have to. I have had to get nylon spandex for a few things like bathing suits that need that stretch and durability. But the other part of that is how clothes are cared for. My mom used to go to a pool every week and she'd go through about a bathing suit a year. I find that avoiding chlorine as much as possible (I'm allergic anyway, so I swim in saltwater, or rivers), using gentle detergent, and air drying makes any stretchy fabric keep its stretch for longer. I've had stuff last for years just by being careful with washing and drying methods. Not over-drying stuff, not washing after every wear unless I need to (like socks and underwear, but shirts can be worn a few times usually), and by avoiding harsh chemicals like bleaches or fabric softeners, which I'm also allergic to, but are horrible for pollution as well. I have to wear a mask outside in residential areas if people are doing laundry because it gives me migraines. If we outlawed certain types of fabric washing and treating methods, we'd all do a lot better I'm sure. And there are non-toxic ways of making things water resistant, or materials that don't pill so we don't need anti-pill fleece, and stuff like that.

[@epicellen7299]

Cheap clothes. Cheap labour but those who wear them don't know or care. Too much competition. Too many clothes/fashion shops and warehouses (online) Britain was the same over 200 years ago regarding poor conditions and slavery in workhouses.

[@codenameGIZM0]

I thought this was a Vox doc. Great stuff

[@OurCollectiveImpact]

Exactly what I want to hear!

[@FantasyFulham]

Great film, great to see so many different people working to improve the Industry.

[@OurCollectiveImpact]

There are amazing companies out there! We hope they can inspire anybody watching do a bit better!

[@maxwellgarrison2983]

This is one reason why I wear wool and linen suits everyday. They are the maximally sustainable garment for men, and if cared for well, last for years and years. Some of mine are from 50 years ago and in better condition that my newer ones. They can be repaired, and are easy to care for (NO DRY CLEANING). There is a reason that men wore suits everyday for everything for hundreds of years. Wear garments and shoes that can be repaired.

[@aditya_baser]

Circularity addresses one aspect of the problem. Transforming old clothes into new ones tackles part of the issue, but if we stick to traditional dyeing methods for these new clothes, we risk harming the environment even more than if the garment ended up in a landfill. Embracing sustainable practices in dyeing is crucial for a truly eco-friendly approach, minimizing the use of harmful chemicals, water, and energy in coloring textiles. 🌱

[@karolinakuc4783]

How tho? Microplastics don't biodegrade while natural dyes do. What is worse these dyes reduce fertelity especially in men.

[@aditya_baser]

Dyes are not the only thing that are used to color clothes. You also require many hazardous chemicals to fix the dyes that are cancer causing which when released, harm the environment.

[@NovaDeb]

This was really an eye-opening video!

[@ilektrakaratasiou3352]

I try and mend, repair, upgrade kids clothes and sell on ebay. No need to mechanically break them down to create new fibres. We have enough Kid's clothes for the next 6 generations of children I heard 5 years ago!!! We need to stop buying brand new from shops clothes.

[@lucygarside332]

Super interesting, I learned so much from this thank you :)

[@OurCollectiveImpact]

Thank you Lucy!

[@benphillips4670]

Amazing stuff Jenny

[@OurCollectiveImpact]

Thanks Ben!

[@marthaalicia8838]

In the city I live there are no second hand shops, last year I was able to travel to a big city and visit one but the prices were so high now that vintage is in fashion I could not afford to buy even a really used T-shirt with stains included 😂

[@peninnahmokaya8436]

😂😂😂

[@dragonlover2085]

Try the variety of internet second hand. Vestiaire collective or Therealreal for instance.

[@ilektrakaratasiou3352]

I'm sorry you couldn't buy anything. Are people not passing on second hand clothes? Not all second hand is vintage.

[@lauraholland347]

Good documentary,but still far more resources are being poured into talking about the problems and quantifying the problems,than actually solving them-that has to change, and soon.

[@pedinurse1]

So what else can we make clothing out of, and how can we fit everyone when sizes are getting so large and we need to fit them also. If women went back to learning how to sew, all of this would stop in a heartbeat

[@joylox]

I do think talking about the issues is important, as sometimes it can make people think twice before buying something new just because it's trendy. The challenge is, I sew, and I've had people tell me I should open a store with my own designs. But I make everything custom, and people can't afford that the way housing and food prices have gone up. Besides, most of the fabric I use is old sheets, so everything is one of a kind so it's not like someone could try something on to see if they like it. I have thought of some ways to use computers to try things on in VR and then printing out the pattern, but I focused more on the website side of computers in my degree, so that would be hard to find people to help without a lot of money to support it.

[@theartfuldressmaker7777]

I agree. I’ve dedicated my business to trying to solve some of these problems with a focus on bridal bespoke. No one has all the answers but us creative minded are the ones who can get the wheel turning in either direction. There are answers just waiting to be discovered….

[@lauraholland347]

@@theartfuldressmaker7777 I love your optimism, but I think it is dangerous to assume a new technology will just turn up and transform things- sewing is basically unchanged since the invention of the sewing machine- which is why it could be outsourced so easily to the third world. I'm not convinced sewing is going to change profoundly and save our bacon, and I firmly believe we have to take action assuming it won't.

[@silviahoffmann158]

Bamboo

[@juliedickey1812]

Sustainable fashion needs to be made available in a wider variety of sizes. The average American woman is a size 16 and many are larger.

[@almalauha]

People need to stop going along with trends. I think trends are for people who don't have their own style. If you want to go along with trends, then you are going to be buying new stuff all the time. When you want to buy a couple of new things every week/every month, you aren't going to want to spend a lot on each individual item, meaning you are only looking to buy the cheapest stuff, hence fast fashion jumps into this demand. Stop it. Just stop. Figure out your own style, use second-hand stuff if you want to try a lot of different things, and donate back the items you no longer want. When you have figured out your own style that will last you through the next 5, 10, 20, 50 years, invest in quality pieces that are beautiful, made by people making a fair wage, without the environment being destroyed, things that fit you well, and that make you feel great. Take pride in taking care of your garments by following the washing/drying instructions. Mend any damage, get a professional tailor involved if the damage requires more knowledge/skills to fix. Take pride in wearing a coat or a pair of jeans you've had for 10 years, 15 years. Swap clothes if you have changed in body size/shape to the point your clothes don't fit anymore, or sell them online. We all have the power to make a positive change even if it's just reducing how many items you buy. It's ok if you can't afford a £300 coat, you can still choose to not buy as many items as you might currently be doing. That will make a huge change. Buy secondhand. Learn to make your own stuff. There's a sewing course near me that can teach you everything from the basics to more advanced stuff. It's £150 for 10 evenings and you can bring your own projects. Even the people who came in with very little or no experience left having made some items like shirts, trousers, bean bags, or a couple of bags. I am more skilled and made a jumper, designed and made my own shirt, made an agenda, and designed a coat (that I have yet to finish!).

[@sajjadjahani6574]

wow...

[@JoMomma]

25:34 - wait, what?...bringing robotics in to drive the cost of labor down so that they can be produced in first world nations, would essentially cause consumers to buy even _more_ clothing that they plan on discarding... and would kill the economic progress in the countries that currently produce most of the clothing on the market...... not to mention that taking the human element out of the making of clothes would cause mean that executives of those brands would make even more $.

[@annewhitney8809]

Fast fashion is criminal

[@karolinakuc4783]

There is absolutely no need plastic in fashion. Synthetic jackets are far less warm than wool and furs. We could very well switch to only natural fibers

[@yasmindixon3358]

The banana spiders weave their complex webs as a family enterprise. How does one go about analyzing the DNA to make a similar thread of adequate tensile strength?

[@lous.1548]

and nothing changed ...

[@jaicarrero3726]

🅿️🅿️🤏💯

[@hillcountry871]

Bamboo and hemp

[@felixthecat6284]

Then u buy Chanel. You will not simply throw away, it will sell 2nd. 3rd, 10th hands just becauseof the label eventhough nowadays the designs looks like shit

[@Noname-vb8me]

what if those cloths ppl don't wear anymore transfers to poor countries where ppl has nothing it would make their life easier ..

[@leamubiu]

It’s already happening; not that poorer countries actually don’t have anything to wear, but the influx of cheap second-hand clothes discarded by richer countries drives prices down, pushing local textile artisans out of business, increasing poverty and reliance on second-hand traders. In one documentary, one such merchant complained that quality of second-hand clothing was also going down, often receiving stained or ripped clothing that is unfit to wear and sell. It doesn’t make their life easier to have to sort through our trash for the odd wearable scrap.

[@joylox]

I know that works for some things, but not others. A lot of stuff we get rid of is fast fashion stuff that isn't made to last long anyway. The biggest success I've heard is with glasses frames. I know a guy who was collecting old glasses to take overseas so an optometrist he knew could use them to fit glasses to those who can't afford them or don't have access to them. But most frames are metal and that lasts a lot longer than polyester that falls apart and gets see-through over time.

[@ujika8164]

Have you seen mountains and mountains of discarded clothes in those countries?

[@ricardoarevalo6369]

It is so simple, your problem is the same in all aspects of human life food industry, agriculture etc is capitalism;we are consuming and building until the planet is destroyed and then even oligarchs of the west will be gone like the president of the Sara group.

[@cor3944]

I am and was always in favour of fabrics of good quality but imagine all the workers in 3rd world countries without work? „Sustainability“ should question indirectly also fake „feminism“(=working women).

[@Memoreism]

So to save the planet, we should stop using clothes.

[@elinaerni328]

Where were all these activists in the 80s and 90s? I don’t remember that 30-40 years ago we walked around wrapped in birch bark!