With global fast fashion brands like Shein, Zara, and H&M continually dominating the commercial garment industry, it's no wonder that sustainability in the fashion industry has become a growing concern. Contributing to over 8% of global carbon emissions and $100 in material value loss, the majority of fashion powerhouses continually deny acknowledging the alarming environmental damage of keeping up with microtrends (“Environmental Sustainability in the Fashion Industry”). Where these brands are blind, independent designers are inspired and taking fresh, visionary approaches to sustainable garment creation.

The root of fast fashion and unsustainable practices within the fashion industry can be traced back to the industrial revolution in the 1760s. Prior to the revolution, “slow fashion” practices such as hiring skilled craftsmen and producing garments on a small scale were ubiquitous. The industrial revolution dramatically transformed the fashion industry; More efficient machinery and the introduction of mass production made garments cheaper and more accessible than they had ever been. (“A Comprehensive History of Sustainable Fashion”). While the appeal of this new technology was undeniable in the 18th century, it fostered irreversible environmental damage that continues to grow in severity. The production of garments made from cheap, synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon contributes immensely to the growing problem of deforestation, pile ups in landfills, and microplastic pollution. Today, these practices are responsible for nearly 10% of annual global carbon emissions and 20% of global wastewater (Algamal).

The term “sustainable fashion” first emerged in the 90s, but the concept can be traced back to the 60s. As counterculture movements like the hippie and punk movement gained traction, activists like Katherine Hamnett started stressing the need for more sustainable and ethical means of garment production (“A Comprehensive History of Sustainable Fashion”). These movements helped pave the way for fashion sustainability efforts in the 21st century.

Emerging and established designers have found striking means of combatting the environmental cost of the fashion industry. Originally from Lithuania, designer Dovile Riebschlager moved to Chicago with nothing but 300 dollars in her pocket and an intense passion for design. Despite facing extreme culture shock and financial hardships in the states, Dovile’s designs quickly caught the attention of both local and international creatives. Since then, her extravagant collections thematizing functionality and sustainability have been featured in renowned magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar and have debuted globally at Paris and New York fashion week.