The massive floating rock we live on is a miracle, and scientists are yet to discover a planet that can in any way compare to the perfectly aligned factors that have resulted in life here on Earth. Within an infinite universe life has developed on this blue and green oasis, and it’s now our responsibility to ensure that these ideal ecological factors can be sustained for centuries to come. The global fashion industry has a long history of abuse and exploitation- be that workers, resources, the mob mentality of consumers- and so the current movement towards sustainable fashion is a major focal point of the entire sustainability movement.

One of the least ecologically mindful practices within the fashion industry is ‘fast fashion’, and the combatting ‘slow fashion’ movement prioritises ecological, ethical, and emotional factors to produce long lasting, high quality pieces that you’d be mad to part with a couple of months down the line! Leather goods fit beautifully into this category; a supple leather jacket, durable leather gloves, an exquisite leather-bound journal, or a timeless leather satchel are financial investments that can last you a lifetime when given the proper care, and of course when the proper care is given to their production.

Sustainable fashion is a fast growing movement, and sustainable production is needing to be refined in order to keep up with new demands. Working with leather demands respect- one wrong stitch and countless hours of tanning, designing, and crafting are at jeopardy! However high-end producers such as The Leather Atelier are finding ways of moving from the craft room to the catwalk in record time, and without compromising product integrity.

The trend has always been to design a piece before finding the ways and means to create it; the sustainable approach is to design around what materials and methods you already have in your repertoire. Buying the high-quality materials that would inevitably be sourced regularly in bulk is cost- effective in terms of reasonable wholesale pricing, less likelihood of excess or ‘dead’ stock, and you can start production immediately because the time-lag of sourcing isn’t required. The process is streamlined and accelerated through this minor adjustment of using what you have, and providing producers have the expertise to repurpose materials effectively, quality will never be compromised.

For decades brands have outsourced production, opting for cheap labour rather than environmental awareness. It is a sour irony that outsourcing may appear cheaper, but when shipping, taxing, and production inexperience are factored into the final price it can easily be much more expensive than local production. Quality controlling local manufacture allows the greatest product integrity, allowing designers, manufacturers, producers, and clientele the ability to be involved throughout the production process.

Brands with experience of handcrafting, unique production, or a luxury status are no strangers to micro-manufacturing- the process of creating products in line with demand , or in limited numbers. Overall production is infinitely more sustainable this way because excess materials or produce do not have to be discarded of or repurposed, and in addition the limited supply attracts consumers to treat themselves to pieces that they may never have the opportunity to own again!

However, the real trick of the trade, the golden key when it comes to sustainable fashion is…

design.

There are some pieces that will never go out of fashion- just think back to those leather jackets, gloves, binders, and bags. Investing in quality wardrobe staples such as these will never end in regret, and like a fine wine the years only add more value to such items, for the pricelessness of memories can never be beaten. Tailor-made, individually crafted, entirely personal pieces are a sustainability driven producer’s dream- the artful quality of their design will never fail to face the test of time.