The Sustainable Model: Designing Within a Sustainable Framework
Sustainability within the fashion industry is a matter of growing concern with the emergence and surge of the fast fashion system. The research literature is aimed at defining the current fashion scenario, understanding the roles of stakeholders involved and presenting significant existing models of sustainable design. This chapter proposes the need for a practical strategy towards a sustainable future by setting short term and long term goals. Education as a solution that penetrates into the layers of institutes, collaborative design, and brands is discussed along with the notion of developing better consumer relationships through emotional and conceptual strategies for value addition. This chapter touches upon recognizing topology as an exploitable concept for innovative sustainable design. Re evaluation of the design process is explored through the development of a hybrid cutting technique called Planar Flux, inspired by the Mobius strip, that urges one to view patterns axially while reducing fabric consumption, cutting and construction simultaneously. The success of the technique is assessed using parameters of collaboration, development of zero waste pattern and positing its application in a fast fashion business setup. The aims are to corroborate the benefits of such a system, its influence on the consumer and contribution to all aspects of sustainability.