Versatile, resistant and economical, from its creation in the 19th century plastic has become part of our everyday life. Every year, tons of this material irrevocably pour into the environment, taking several centuries to degrade and arriving straight on our tables in the form of microplastics. Thousands of marine animals die every day suffocated by our waste, so much so that it is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans.
The fashion industry, considered one of the most polluting, accumulates scraps of fabrics and clothes exponentially, especially those in synthetic materials. Although a plastic-free world is desirable, unfortunately for now it is unattainable.
However, more and more brands are taking action to minimize their environmental footprint. For the plastic-free month of July, we asked several brands how they contribute to creating a more sustainable future and what each of us can do in our own small way.
Read the editorial and join the plastic-free revolution.
We live by reduce, reuse and recycle at Dos Gardenias.
“Recover” has become the watchword in a world that is increasingly attentive to the issue of sustainability, and the fashion industry is also aiming to minimize its environmental impact. What are the advantages of garments made from recycled fabrics and what are the strategies that your brand has implemented to reduce the use of plastic?
Dos Gardenias’ best advantage of garments made from recycled fabrics is that they reduce the amount of waste on our planet. Since 2020, our swimwear has been produced using ECONYL®, a 100% regenerated nylon fiber made from pre and post-consumer waste, like fishing nets, industrial plastic waste and fabric scraps. Using ECONYL® nylon instead of sourcing new nylon reduces the GWP up to 90%. This Italian fabric made out of ECONYL® fibers is versatile, having stretch, UV protection, breathability, softness, and compression. It is also twice as resistant to chlorine and suntan creams than competitors’ fabrics. Our shift into sustainable nylon has not compromised our luxurious fabric quality from our previous seasons. We have also reduced our use of plastics in our packaging materials to our use in the office. If we use plastic at all, it is made from recycled plastics or it is completely recyclable. We live by reduce, reuse and recycle at Dos Gardenias.
How do you propose to tackle the problem of microplastics?
The best way to tackle the problem of microplastics is at the source. The best way to do that as a fashion brand is not to use synthetic fiber materials. Our swimwear is made from industrialized plastics such as carpets and fishing nets, so while we are reducing plastic waste on a grand scale, we’ve also had to think about it on a micro scale. This is why we recommend hand washing and air drying our swimwear. On a smaller scale, we don’t use bottled water in our office. Every choice, big or small, matters when it comes to microplastics, and we are conscious of this as we make decisions regarding what’s best for our company because we believe it must also be best for the planet.
We feel the consumer could ultimately have all of the power to influence the choices of brands toward a sustainable future.
In your opinion, what power do consumers have to influence the choices of brands in terms of sustainability?
At Dos Gardenias, we feel the consumer could ultimately have all of the power to influence the choices of brands toward a sustainable future. The key to getting there is by spreading awareness and knowledge of exactly how wasteful the fashion industry can be. This has to start with the companies producing within the fashion industry as well as the marketing and advertising teams behind them. Once consumers are armed with this knowledge, there is no telling how far sustainability efforts could go.
What are your hopes and/or expectations regarding a more sustainable future? What can each of us do to reduce our daily consumption of plastic, beginning with our wardrobes?
We hope to see the fashion industry fall from being a top contributor to carbon emissions in the world. At Dos Gardenias, we are on the forefront of developing a swimsuit recycling program, where we will be able to completely reuse the regenerated nylon from our swimwear in an endless cycle. This is our ultimate goal: to create only that which can be recreated with the same materials again and again. Some ways to reduce your daily consumption of plastic, beginning with our wardrobes, are to avoid fast fashion brands that mass produce cheaply made clothing which won’t last. Invest a little more in smaller brands that use sustainable methods/materials. Bring your reusable bags for wardrobe shopping with you; they aren’t just for the grocery store or market! And finally, shop second-hand. Finding a new life cycle for clothes is key. And let’s be honest, vintage never goes out of style.
This is our ultimate goal: to create only that which can be recreated with the same materials again and again.
About LVRSustainable
LVRSustainable is the section of LuisaViaRoma dedicated to offering a curated selection of the best conscious brands and items, as well as special collaborations with renowned non-profits, organizations, and brands to benefit social and environmental causes. LVRSustainable aims to build a global sustainable community and to promote creativity by supporting conscious fashion: organic, vegan, ethical trade, eco-friendly, women’s empowerment, community engagement, recycling and upcycling, and luxury craftsmanship products.
