Fashion in 20 Years

Erika Annalisa Sagh 2MEI 20 years of change? The over abundance in brands, the constant development for new products and the continual demand for innovation in style, will certainly remain relevant in 20 years as much as it does today. Fashion will develop quickly in the fields of production development and undoubtedly work forward instead of reliving the passed. However, the most intriguing changes in the fashion world within the next 20 years will be noticeable in the domains of manufacturing and sustainable revitalization of products and how they will connect.

In application of the current European crisis it is clear that people are becoming more conscious of where there money is being spent and how they can possibly save more wisely. The morality behind the importance of helping and supporting your own economy will forever remain, though whether it will be practiced may technically be but a theory. Western cultures will continue to seek cheap manufacturing alternatives in second and third world countries, because it offers the possibility to over-produce and support the fast fashion addiction.

As the evolution in economy triggers a direct growth within the field of manufacturing, the everlasting demand for innovating and luxurious goods will incline as well. These points all aid in allowing actual consumption within the coming years to multiply from its current state. If the future predicts to experience a noticeable growth of consumers, rising to approximately 1. 8 billion, it would be of no surprise that more brands will emerge and companies will be looking into producing their garments and products more quickly to feed the demand.

The demand will undoubtedly create an abundance of opportunities for the fashion industry, as developments in style, textile and processing will be forced to transpire. However, as a state for humanity these so called windows of opportunities will possibly not create revolutionary changes. Accounting China’s current regression in foreign manufacturing demand, a shift from this current fashion driven country to another developing country may occur.

The demand from western-based countries to China is slowly diminishing based mainly upon the fact that quoted prices have elevated beyond comfort. Though China is beginning to manage their organizations better, it raises some issues of whether western demand will remain located or as previously mentioned, shift. China does expect their economy to grow within the upcoming years, however this growth may account solely for domestic demand. In order to continually be apart of the fashion realm, China may have to keep their prices low or have the government interfere.

More of the Chinese population is gradually becoming less interested to work in factories, while more comfortable positions within a store or hotel are sought after. In short, as the country grows away from the communistic regime the people will desire a much more comfortable lifestyle away from poor conditions and factory work. Now it is not to say that the manufacturers in other upcoming worlds wont be categorized as sustainable. It’s a known fact that the fashion industry is classified as one of the most polluting industries in the world, and much more focus is now being spent on how to change this.

From the amount of fertilizer used in cultivating cotton to the abundant quantity of chemicals exhausted in processing plants, it is evident that the creation of fashion is drastically aiding in the progression of global warming. Though due to the size of the industry, any small changes such as the conservation of fresh water or the protection of environmental status would help. Eva Kruse, Chairman of the Nordic Fashion Association has already begun gathering support from celebrities and international designers to discuss sustainable options.

With already 1000 people aboard, their long-term goal is to eventually declare sustainability as a worldwide fashion value. Though they aspire to soon take part in united nation conferences and create a code of conduct for the industry, the possibility of eliminating cheap manufacturing is nearly impossible. It is not saying that if the sector reacts to aspects of this code that it will not create a great impact, but that redesign, reuse and recycle will take precedence over fair wages. Clothing will be designed using biodegradable materials such as bamboo, milk or recyclable plastics and polyester.

Clothing will no longer be apart of landmass and the environment itself will be considered more green and clean. However as stated, the use of these materials is undoubtedly more expensive to produce and manufacture into garments. Sustainable machinery will become more expensive to buy and maintain, while health codes, which will be implied, will also account for a raised budget. Since it will be the big companies, which will drive the demand they will be able to influence the consumers to agree with sustainability but perhaps not price.

Prices can fluctuate gradually, however the public will never agree to pay ridiculously high amounts. As fast-fashion will not fade within the near future, people will still demand new seasons and more collection in order to satisfy their materialistic and trendy needs. Companies will have to agree in saving money through cheaper labour and not expect all products to be produced closer to home. Countries such as India, Bangladesh and Cambodia will most likely become visited terrain for production instead of China, whereas the likeliness of African labour is more questionable due to the unstable status of the government and disruption.

In conclusion, there are many solutions available in creating a more sustainable fashion industry, however these solutions may be quicker to realize than the issue of fair trade itself. I believe that people are not ready to give up their addiction to buying, and fast fashion is not just a trend but also a new way of life. The idea of minimalistic buying will have to develop slowly within society, it may visible in 50 years but 20 years seems too soon. The categorized second world countries such as China are progressively becoming first world and it is unsurprising that their production price quotes are higher than before.

I believe that if the fashion industry takes a strong shift towards sustainability that affordable manufacturing in second and third world countries will be sought out, to balance and maintain “cheaper” ticketed prices. In the future, the world may look different because certain countries, which are currently related directly to fashion, may disappear or even change their status, while new countries will appear in order to realize this sustainable aspiration. First step, be kind and save the planet we live on. Second step, find a way to live in a fair trade world.