The Evocative wardrobe : establishing emotional durability to accelerate circular economy in fashion

Abstract

Global fashion waste, sustainability, and the circular economy are concepts that are increasingly gaining popularity not only in the world but also in Sri Lanka. The Fashion Revolution, organizations such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and brands such as Patagonia spearhead this movement in which the idea of circular economy is promoted, and action is taken to reduce the impact on global fashion waste and issues such as overconsumption and overproduction of clothes. Sri Lanka’s capital city Colombo itself, contains landfills filled with unwanted clothes and materials. Furthermore, garment manufacturing is Sri Lanka’s single biggest industry, but it also produces tens of thousands of textile waste every year. However, it can be seen that there is an increase in online Thrift Stores selling secondhand clothing, fashion brands that upcycle clothes, movements such as the Goodlife Foundation, and companies such as the Hirdaramani Group carrying out projects related to fashion waste. It can also be seen that The Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) in association with the Responsible Fashion Movement (RFM), has come out with a specific action-oriented impact on each garment presented on the ramp, under a program titled Responsibility In Fashion.