We are reflecting on material culture and its impact amidst the Extinction Rebellion protests in London and across the United Kingdom.
Groups of activists such as The Red Brigade who advocated against the endangerment of all animals that we share the planet with, tying in with the sea creature crisis whereby hundreds of harmless sea-life get caught in our waste. Famous names such as Jason Momoa joined the fight to protect the oceans.
Other protest groups such as the Animal Rebellion tied themselves to the gates of Billingsgate, the largest inland fish market in an attempt to protect Sea-Life.
Fashion’s contribution?
There’s no doubt that fashion is one of the biggest contributions for the state of today’s oceans. Fast fashion in particular, overuse synthetic fabrics which pollute the oceans…it’s predicted by 2050, 22 million tons of microfibres will end up as ocean pollution. At House Of Gharats we have embarked on a journey to ensure that we design and produce mindfully because we sustainability is long journey with good intentions at heart.
Mary Creagh MP, Wakefield representative since 2005, leads the environmental audit committee. She describes the current tragedy as; “Producing clothes requires toxic chemicals and produces climate-changing emissions. Every time we put on a wash, thousands of plastic fibres wash down the drain and into the oceans. We don’t know where or how to recycle end of life clothing. Our inquiry will begin to investigate how the fashion industry can remodel itself to be both thriving and sustainable.”
Fast fashion is an obvious factor that is held accountable for ocean pollution, and as Mary described, every time you wash your favourite garment, thousands of plastic fibres invade our ocean. Nylon is a popular fabric in the fashion industry, also a form of plastic. These are made in huge quantities to meet customer demand, and this leads to repeat custom – which is what businesses want, but is it what the environment needs?
Rather than ranting about the challenges we are currently facing, read on to find out about how we can create and partake in solutions, and dive into the House Of Gharats very own contribution: Our Blue Fashion Silk Scarf.
Blue Fashion Silk Scarf
A Sea Change In Sustainable Material Culture
Across the fashion industry, many fashion & lifestyle brands are introducing sustainable collections & collaborations. A popular fabric amongst the high street retailers is ‘BIONIC’; made out of plastic waste recovered from shorelines worldwide…meanwhile, an upcycling approach is also another popular option. Fashion has discovered natural resources rather than something processed and wasteful.
What is BIONIC?
Bionic is a material that is made out of recovered plastic from the ocean and coastal environments. It can be used to create more durable materials. Many fashion brands have started to use this for products such as trainers and sportswear. Pharell Williams is a notable advocate for this material, founding his own company which provides the materials to fashion and other brands.
What about ECONYL?
Econyl is a fabric made out of regenerated nylon; fishing nets are collected from the sea, and they can then be recycled into clothing, driving the industry into a more sustainable future. This is specifically popular with fashion brands as they still get the same nylon as if it was brand new, enabling them to align with a fast fashion approach. You can find Econyl in stylish accessories, clothing and even designer handbags.
Creating value from ocean waste
Upcycling, not to be confused with recycling, is using discarded waste and turning it into something of more value; this can be something that is turned into something that’s deemed as very high end, essentially creating something of a higher value. The growing tribe of conscious customers won’t buy from a brand who exploits its workers or uses fabric which becomes lethal to our oceans and the creatures that call it home.
For example, founded by Kenyan entrepreneur Newton Owino, fish-skin is a new alternative to traditional sources of leather. The idea of using this is emphasising the fact that especially in the fashion industry, we should try to put waste reduction at the forefront of our businesses. Fish-skin would normally be discarded or sold for a very low price, so why waste it when we can take a more resourceful approach?
A new radical approach to sourcing materials
Other examples include organisations that have surfaced amongst the rise of sustainability in fashion include Norway’s Nofir, who recycle discarded fishing equipment and turn it into clothing, as well as furniture and carpets for retailers across Europe. On one occasion, they contributed to making ‘Brace-nets’ a small bracelet made from discarded fishing nets in partnership with the company ‘BRACENET’. Not only do they reduce the amount of fishing nets in the seas which are lethal to the residents of the sea, but it gives us something in return.
House of Gharats Blue Fashion Silk Scarf collection
House of Gharats collaborated with the Commonwealth Blue Charter initiative and Commonwealth Fashion Council to create ‘Blue Fashion Silk Scarf Collection’ using ‘SeaCell’ silk fabric.
The Commonwealth Blue Charter was a landmark document launched at CHOGM 2018 where all 53 Commonwealth countries galvanised their support for ocean action. Progress under the Blue Charter is being carried out through member-led Action Groups on issues from ocean acidification to coral and mangrove restoration, and from marine plastics to the blue economy.
But what is SeaCell ? SeaCell is a fibre which is made out of sustainably farmed seaweed sourced from the depths of our oceans. Yes, you read right. Seaweed! SeaCells’ silk fabric has an antioxidant property which makes it innovative due to its many minerals enabling it to care for your skin while it is biodegradable.
Blue Fashion Silk Scarf
Customers aren’t only buying our clothes. They are buying our values
We created a collection inspired by the oceans and the many creatures that call it home. We wanted to ensure that it was made with love, care and creativity aligning with the values at the very core of our brand; culture, art and sustainability. This was evident through the art of the ocean that inspired the designs, to the production, and lastly the amazing fabric that is seacell.
Blue Fashion Silk Scarf
