Fashion Fibers ─ Designing for Sustainability

As the fashion industry evolves to meet the growing call for a system which is renewable and socially responsible, understanding sustainability is now a core competency for the designers, product developers, manufacturers and merchandisers who are part of the product life cycle. This text is rooted in enthusiasm and optimism about the innovative sustainability opportunities in the fashion industry.

Fashion Fibers: Designing for Sustainability consists of four parts covering natural fibers, manufactured fibers, future fibers and fiber/garment processes. The 30 succinct chapters detail the inherent sustainability benefits, environmental impacts at each stage of the life cycle, how to optimize the sustainability benefits, availability, product applications, marketing opportunities and innovation opportunities. The text begins with an introduction that provides an overview of environmental impacts, the product lifecycle and challenges. It covers all natural and man-made fiber types commonly used in the fashion industry-not just those that are generally considered to be "sustainable" fibers-making this text relevant to any reader seeking information on opportunities for sustainability in textile and fashion design. The "Future Fibers" chapters features new and emerging fibers that have been created in response to sustainability opportunities and concerns, and can not be categorized into the traditional categories of natural and manufactured, since many of these fibers are hybrids of both. Gullingsrud shows the application of concepts through examples and images of end use in apparel products and in profiles of designers and companies who use materials more sustainability.

With a highly illustrated and consistently organized layout, this easily accessible text is essential for learning about sustainable fiber options during the product life cycle.