In an Australian first, the fashion industry has come together to address one of the leading environmental challenges – conventional cotton.
In an industry known for it’s cutthroat competition, limited transparency, and ‘fast fashion,’ this intimate gathering signified the start of collaboration and change for good.
Influential fashion industry guests gathered last week to hear Jill Dumain, environmental director at Patagonia share their story of major transition from conventional cotton to 100 per cent organic cotton at an industry symposium series, the B-sessions.
Dumain was here in Australia for the B-session and a key speaker at the Conscious Business Summit adhering to the outdoor brand’s mission to build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.
The aim of the evening was to raise awareness of the devastating environmental impacts of conventional cotton, share lessons learned, and foster change on a greater scale.
With guests from TOMS, David Jones, Pacific Brands, Aje, Spell Design, Kit X, General Pants, MJ Bale, ByJohnny, Apparel Group, Haryono Setiadi, IKEA and TopShop to name a few, the evening challenged the use of conventional cotton within the paradigm of the local apparel industry by sharing Patagonia’s story of transition.
The event was presented by Patagonia, supported by The Australian Fashion Chamber and developed to inspire inter-industry collaboration and act as a catalyst for change.
