Consumer guide

Local production

Buying locally produced fashion, is part of what many will claim is a more sustainable approach to the whole life-cycle of clothes. In a way yes, in others maybe not.

It seems incredible that what we wear travels so far and wide. Here are some of the many routes that have to be considered:

Oil from rig to refinery
Chemicals from refinery to chemical plants
Minerals from mine to chemical plants
Fertilizers from chemical factory to farmer
Fibers from factory or field to spinner
Yarn transport
Dye transport
Fabric transport
Buttons, zippers and thread transport

And the local designer hasn't even started his or her search for a production fascility! So even though they may decide to source their production closer to home (which is said to be happening as a consquence of the financial crisis and to have greater flexibility when it comes to deadlines) - there are so many processes leading up to the actual cutting and sewing of pieces of clothing that involve world-travel. 

Then we can talk about local being logical

So why even consider supporting local designers who produce closer to the market? Actually some use more local production as a way of minimizing their carbon-footprint. The fact that the factory may also have a much better eco-profile since it will be following stringent laws that regulate emissions, will of course also make a difference. Maybe they even source raw materials that are local, treated locally and even produced closer to home. Then we can talk about local being logical. This also means that the designer or company will have to be very transparent in tracking the route all the way back to the raw materials. 

Making sure that raw-materials, production-sites and sub-contractors are within a certain radius, also makes sense. 

More and more companies are doing the math, some are finding that combining ship- and train-transport makes a big difference. Some even ensure that the people who work in the company live close enough to walk or ride a bike to work.  Which really is walking the walk!