Buy Less, Choose Well, Make It Last – Vivienne Westwood's Sustainability

The first items of Vivienne Westwood's A/W 2022 collection are in at Concrete Store, ready to hit the streets and show that we don't merely exist for good looks. As one of the last independent global fashion brands in the world, it is able to use its collections, collaborations and catwalk shows as a platform to promote awareness and campaign for a better world.

"We know there is a contradiction between our activism and the industry we are part of. Fashion creates products which are too often disposable, and which – through their creation, distribution and eventual disposal – can have a disproportionately negative impact on our planet, its wildlife and people. We know this and we know we must do better."

Vivienne Westwood is aware of the fact that the fashion industry makes a significant contribution to the growing climate crisis. The exact tonnage of carbon emissions the industry emits remains contested, though it is estimated at somewhere between 2 - 8% of total global emissions. If there is change to be made this industry needs to rapidly reduce emissions.

The brand's sustainability approach challenges itself to make all its products with greater care for people and the environment, committing to strong, holistic action in the interests of farmers, artisans, supply chain workers, brand employees, our customers, our communities and all life on earth. This means looking beyond the aesthetic qualities of the materials it uses. Currently, 90% of fabrics used in Vivienne Westwood's Ready-to-Wear collections are made from lower impact alternatives. Besides tapping into innovative ways to reduce its environmental impact, it is particularly looking back to traditional crafts and heritage, manufacturing methods at a smaller scale that have much lower impact than the hyper-globalized, mass production and consumption model of today.

 Shop: Vivienne Westwood

Shop: Vivienne Westwood