The Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Fashioning the Future of Innovative Design

My main objective behind this blog has been to inspire others to embrace their creativity and individuality, being the fuel that fires innovation within the fashion world. And though I think it’s important to touch on the designers who have previously innovated new and unique design techniques– it’s just as important to understand where and how we can apply our inspirations, to improve the industry through both creative and technical elements.

The fashion industry is one of the leading contributors to waste and pollution worldwide, disposing of roughly 100 billion garments annually to landfills and burn piles. Additionally, trends remain influential on the fashion industry due to the development of social media platforms and influencers– shortening the lifespan of garments and increasing the need for fast fashion. The problem? Fast fashion revolves around rapid, inexpensive production that often is best suited by factories, which increase the industry’s carbon footprint.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation offers a beacon of hope. It’s is a non-profit organization that believes in improving the social, economic and environmental state of the world through the integration of a “circular economy”.

What is a circular economy?

A circular economy, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, is an ideal economic model structured around protecting the environmental, economic and social state of the world. It’s driven through design to achieve three major principles, which are:

1. To eliminate waste and pollution
2. Circulate materials at their highest value
3. To Regenerate nature

In attempt to stray away from harmful materials like polyester, nylon and other blends composed of plastic and acrylic, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation seeks new approaches to textile production by attempting to create things like cellulose-based fabrics for denim. Additionally, they find new ways to improve agricultural aspects of material extraction and textile production through water conservation and taking into account farming conditions.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Approach to Fashion Sustainability, in Three Principles

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation preaches the importance of viewing fashion through the lens of a circular economy. By doing so, we can create garments that will be:

1: Used More

Increasing the longevity of garments will decrease the need for new ones, decreasing garment waste and trend dependancy.

2: Made to Be Made Again

Garments will be composed of durable materials through intentional production practices with re-purposing in mind.

3: Made from safe and recyclable inputs

Aside from donating, what can you do?

Listen to the various podcasts the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has to offer

The foundation’s podcasts and videos are short but informative; featuring industry professionals who have first hand experience.

Utilize the foundation’s teaching resources

The Ellen MacArthur foundation provides various workshop activities, video series’ and lesson plans that aim to teach individuals how they can implement circular design and raise awareness on their own.

Read its publications and case studies

Publications cover a range of topics, from sustainable textile production and waste awareness, to current brands implicating sustainable production.

In our dynamic world, innovation has deeper meanings that go beyond creativity in terms of artistic ability. Innovation takes into account our past and our present, and paves new avenues that bring forth change. Being an innovator also means coming up with ways we can improve the current state of the world. Thankfully, non-profits like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation supply individuals with the resources to do so through things like case studies, campaigns, partnerships, master classes, and various projects anyone could become a part of.

Read more about the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and how you can become a part of the change, here.