Film Challenges Industry On Sustainable Fashion

The need to ensure sustainable fashion solutions got a boost from an independent filmmaker recently. Fashioned Reimagined is holding a critical space for issues around ethical and sustainable fashion. Climate Story Lab ZA shared a discussion with the director of Fashion Reimagined, Becky Hutner. Hutner is a Toronto-born filmmaker living in coastal England and an enthusiastic citizen of Earth. This blog provides a summary of the key highlights from the Climate Story Lab ZA discussion.

The quest for a more ethical, sustainable fashion industry

The film follows along on her journey and the quest for a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry. Joining the conversation about the film’s impact campaign are local, sustainable fashionistas textile designer Sibabalwe Ndlwana and Twyg editor Jacky May. This invigorating conversation will consider the stories, ideas, and possibilities that lie within the realm of fashion’s future.

Sustainable fashion advocates.

Textile designer Sibabalwe Ndlwana expressed that she did not, in fact, purposefully choose the art of weaving. Instead, it was the other way around. She was looking for a bookshop when she came across a weaving studio. Sibabalwe phoned the following day as they were closed when she found it, and she has been pursuing it ever since. Sibabalwe Ndlwana is incredibly talented and strives toward a more sustainable fashion industry by using waste and recycled yarn and using natural dye.

Jacky May is the editor of Twyg. Twyg creates content, events and campaigns to promote a way of being that is sustainable, circular, regenerative, caring and ethical. Jacky launched Twyg in 2018. At the core of the content she publishes on the platform is a commitment to exploring ways we can live well now while ensuring a kinder, inclusive, nature-friendly future for all.

The Climate Story Lab has partnered with the Encounters Film Festival to support films that address the climate crisis. Fashion Reimagined was selected for the encounters festival this year. Fashion Reimagined is also a Climate Story Lab UK alumni. It is exciting that films like these are reaching audiences globally and are running incredible impact campaigns.

It’s a film for everyone who wears clothes, we know you’re out there.

Fashion Reimagined is all about the environmental impact of the fashion industry. Through the lens of a British designer called Amy Powney. Her brand is Mother of Pearl.

The director of Fashion Reimagined, Becky Hutner, followed along as Amy Powney went on a 3-year sustainability journey. Amy’s journey was not easy, but she was persistent in making her own business more sustainable and ethical.

Along the way, Amy helped spark a movement in the UK and became a leader. A large part of the story we witness – and I believe it is a struggle for almost everyone in the fashion industry to face – that is trying to strive towards a more sustainable future fashion-wise is the time and effort it takes to source sustainable and ethically produced fabrics.

The climate crisis and how we should respond moving forward.

When people hear the word crisis, it makes them panic and immediately want to shut down. This evidently gets us nowhere in almost every situation but, most importantly, in a climate crisis. We realize we need systemic change to address the issue of the climate crisis.

But there is a certain amount of agency in making change. To do this, we need to make daily choices that add to addressing the crisis.

The journey we go through with Amy Powney is inspiring. To see the different choices made within the fashion industry and wanting to make positive change. We too can make small changes or big ones in our everyday lives that add to positive change.

What you can do right now

Before purchasing your next clothing item, ask yourself these three questions.

1. Do I really need this?
2. Do I really love this?
3. Am I going to keep this for years to come?

This can collectively help all of us buy less and to love our wardrobes more.

The film took 5 years to make. This alone shows us how much passion and determination when it comes to creating this film. It hopes to show everyone what a massive impact the fashion industry has on the issue of the climate crisis. Hundreds and billions of garments are made every year using toxic chemicals, dyes, massive amounts of water, and emissions. The list goes on.

”The fashion industry is the second most water-intensive industry in the world, consuming around 79 billion cubic metres of water per year. That statistic is startling considering 2.7 billion people currently experience water scarcity.

This all means that a massive amount of water is used to feed the fast fashion industry, all while billions of people lack an adequate supply of water to drink. To put that in perspective, it takes 2,700 liters of water to make the average cotton t-shirt and that’s enough drinking water for one person for 900 days.”

Becky’s campaign strategy

Becky specifically wanted the film to follow one designer’s journey. The idea was that through narrative and a very compelling character and characters around her, that people would come on board with this issue in a very organic way. Also, there would have to be an emotional response to the film and Amy’s journey. However, we are looking at a much bigger picture, and we do need systemic change.

In terms of the impact campaign, there are so many stakeholders on this issue. Becky expressed that it was difficult to focus on one thing. Therefore, there is a very multi-pronged strategy that addresses the government, education, citizens, and industry. This is done in hopes that all stakeholders are reached and made more aware of the issue and what can be done systemically as well as personally.

Small changes make big differences

We cannot urge you enough to go and watch the film and follow along on the journey of Amy Powney and her brand Mother Of Pearl. The film is inspiring in so many aspects in making a change in all areas of the issue. Addressing issues like these always start at home and with what decisions you are making on a daily.

Important links and references

Fashion Reimagined (fashionreimaginedfilm.com)

ABOUT AMY POWNEY – Mother of Pearl

Mother of Pearl | Sustainable Contemporary Fashion | London, UK

BIO | Mysite (sibndlwana.wixsite.com)

Twyg – About

Home – The Climate Story Lab Africa | CSL Africa

Encounters SA International Doc Film Festival | Africa’s premier documentary event.

Clothed in Conservation: Fashion & Water | Sustainable Campus (fsu.edu)

FASHION REIMAGINED — Hamptons Doc Fest

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A-SKW9qxQ-WoUzAqVFZZyQ?fbclid=PAAabcMenPSqItCXW8ft0cjB6uFAuKujVc4XqPPXVGN74TwvjiJAmvCB91_mM_aem_AcquZq6hB-EiLPp2vfX9pGCxZQ4Q2Pojm_LfIg0KRR1n3RdgPBFfXs7O1oK4sQPDEpQ#/registration