Reflection

Reflection

I was inspired to create a dress made entirely out of recycled water bottles when my high school started to replace plastic water bottles with paper-and-plant-based bottles a couple of years ago. The process of creating this garment made me more interested in sustainable fashion. I educated myself on the fast fashion industry and its detrimental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions, massive amounts of water use, and microplastics polluting oceans. My message to viewers is to consider eco-friendly alternatives to fast fashion, such as buying from sustainable clothing brands and second-hand stores, or making their own clothing. I also ask for schools and communities to transition from plastic food products to more sustainable options such as paper-based products and reusable packages. After doing research on the climate crisis, I learned that 85% of all textiles go to waste annually, and washing some types of clothes sends thousands of plastic bits into the ocean. Sustainable fashion gives me hope, along with product brands that are taking initiative by replacing plastic with other eco-friendly materials. Actions I will personally take include being conscious of what I consume and the packaging that comes with the products; I will also be using reusable products and opting for sustainable clothing.