It’s old news that our environment is suffering at our hands. No matter which part of the world you belong to, there’s enough proof of it. And if there was a lack of it, the pandemic definitely made it clearer. Saving our environment might look like a daunting task, something out of our reach. But the truth is, we are all equal to the task if we decide to implement small practices that might lead to bigger impact.
For a brief moment, think about this:
What we choose to wear has a consequence on the environment.
Something which is in our control, right?
- Fashion industry generates approximately 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon emissions globally every year. As responsible members of this industry, we cannot overlook this fact, can we?
What’s worse is, the UN predicts that by 2030, there will be a 60 percent increase in textile and apparel product emissions. Unfortunately, the fashion supply chain is a testament to this prediction, thanks to the significant amount of waste generated and excessive use of resources! So much so that, Kim Hellstrom, Strategy Lead at H&M Group stated, “A very important part of reducing impact from fossil fuel in materials and production in our supply chain is to avoid using it.”
- There’s one more reason why we need to introduce solutions that will reduce the negative impact of fashion on the environment: The new age customer.
Doing their bit for the planet, they have also become more conscious of their fashion choices and prefer to associate with brands who are moving towards eco-fashion through sustainable methods. In fact, in a 2018 survey it was found that by 2025, sustainability is going to be one of the most important deciding factors for mass market apparel consumers.
- Now, you could think of multiple ways to achieve the concept of sustainable fashion. But which one stands out from the rest? Technology.
Because, it is a true enabler of sustainable fashion without compromising on quality and efficiency. The pandemic has highlighted the benefits of integrating the digital universe in the customer journey. But Matthew Drinkwater, Head of Innovation Agency, London College of Fashion, says, “Digital fashion, virtual try-on and social shopping are much more than pandemic trends.”
And he is right. The potential of AR to redefine the complete shopping experience is evident from a report by Snap and Deloitte Digital which found that, within the next five years, 74% of global consumers expect AR to occupy a more important role in their lives. Goldman Sachs also believes this industry is booming and will be worth around $95 billion by 2025.
This is a great sign for the fashion industry to move in the direction of tech-enabled experiences.
- Also, technology helps you unlock benefits beyond the scope of environmental well-being.
Because, not only does it limit the environmental footprint, but also opens doors to better accessibility. Neha Singh of Obsess says, they have seen a 400% increase in inbound interest from merchandising/ retail teams who wish to solve problems. People are not reaching out because it’s VR — they are reaching out for virtual stores.
We at Neo Marche are here to bridge the gap between fashion and technology and as a result give back to our environment. Our aim is to steer the fashion industry into the direction of eco-conscious, fashionable, and tech-savvy choices – the perfect combination for the modern consumer.
Watch out for this space for our upcoming blogs where we talk about how we are making the best use of innovation to create opportunities for fashion brands and consumers.
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