Fashion as a communication medium to raise environmental awareness and sustainable practice

Abstract

Growing concern around ecological issues is prompting ever more reflection on human attitudes and actions within our environment. Environmental data is increasingly being sought to build awareness of the impact of human behaviours, and encourage action towards the adoption of more sustainable practices. More and more, technology is being developed to monitor and publish environmental and related data. In addition, miniature and embedded technologies are now so pervasive to be integrated into clothing, enhancing the functionality, interactivity, and well-established communicative qualities of fashion. In seeking innovative ways to make environmental issues connect meaningfully to individuals, this paper proposes that by using technology to augment the responsiveness of fashion, we can have a more sensitive experience of our environment, leading to a better understanding and ultimately increased consideration for our actions in that environment.