We are already aware that the fashion industry is a huge polluter which can be traced back to the way materials are harvested. Regenerative farming practices are attempting to turn back the clock for a more sustainable future.

Regenerative agriculture improves soil health, primarily through the practices that increase soil organic matter. This not only aids in increasing soil biota diversity and health, but increases biodiversity both above and below the soil surface, while increasing both water holding capacity and sequestering carbon at greater depths, thus drawing down climate-damaging levels of atmospheric CO2, and improving soil structure to reverse civilization-threatening human-caused soil loss.

Luxury brand, Kering who owns such renowned labels as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga, has been on a sustainable mission since April of 2012. With a four years plan to significantly reduce their carbon footprint, Kering was recognised for their efforts in 2014 and 2015. The company announced a partnership with The Savoy Institute last December with a goal of advocating the verified regenerative sourcing solutions and expand the regenerative agriculture framework in fashion's global supply chains. It is no wonder that Kering was recognised as one of the top 50 most sustainable companies in the world by The Seal Business Sustainability Awards in 2018.

This past December the first ever Farm to Fashion show was held in Denver, CO during the Regenerative Earth Summit. Models cruised the catwalk in eco-friendly brand Indigenous. Other brands featured were Eileen Fisher, PrAna, Zen Nomad, Study New York, and Patagonia who each proved you can be fashionable without raping the environment. 

Care What You Wear is another cause who are making sustainability chic. The campaign's mission is to educate the public on such things as to buy clothes that support organic and regenerative farming, responsible production and fair labour practices, and to expose today's fast-fashion industry who are causing much of the damage. While they are well aware that change comes slowly, they are calling out the worst of the bunch and highlighting those who are striving to make the fashion industry greener.

By focusing on regenerative fibres, they are making an impact on the dirty business of fashion. Regenerative fibres are plant and animal fibres based that are produced using carbon-farming and holistic management practices that increase ecosystem health. This is a proven method to help with the global warming issue we as a world are facing.

When animals such as cows and sheep are using holistic management practices they actually build soil health, sequester carbon in the soil, and restore degraded landscapes and rather than contributing to the problem, they become part of the climate solution, thus a part of a new regenerative fibre and fashion industry.

Forward thinking farmers and ranchers are experimenting with more organic and regenerative production methods to grow such natural fibres as hemp, flax, bamboo and cotton.

This is only the first steps in cleaning up the fashion industry, but these causes are dedicated to saving the planet and they could use some support.

This article has been posted with permission from synzenbe.com