Regenerative and Sustainable Fashion is the Theme of the Month in May
Our Vision: Regenerative Fashion
About the Great Turning:
“The most remarkable feature of this historical moment on Earth is not that we are on the way to destroying the world—we’ve actually been doing that for quite some time. It is that we are beginning to wake up, as if from a millennia-long sleep, to a deep awareness of our belonging to the Earth. This awakening is both painful and beautiful and may represent the turning—from the industrial growth society to a life-sustaining one, from despair to empowerment, from collapse to regeneration.”
– Joanna Macy, ecologist, author, and philosopher
The Hidden Cost of the Fashion Industry: Environmental and Social Damage
Fashion is a space of creativity and self-expression—but it is also one of the most polluting industries on the planet. According to the UNEP, it accounts for 10% of global annual carbon emissions—more than the combined emissions of the aviation and shipping sectors.
Cheap, mass-produced clothing—fast fashion—requires vast amounts of water, energy, and chemicals. It also generates enormous textile waste, much of which ends up in incinerators, landfills, or the ocean. In some regions, like parts of Africa, this waste causes severe environmental and social crises.
Shockingly, many companies even burn brand-new, unsold clothing to maintain a sense of exclusivity—something the EU has begun to address.
Cotton cultivation and textile production also use toxic chemicals that harm soil, water, and biodiversity.
Social Impact: Exploitation and Inequality
Beyond environmental harm, the fashion industry is plagued by deep social issues. In factories in developing countries, women and children often work under really bad conditions for extremely low wages. Systemic problems include a lack of workplace safety, forced overtime, and the suppression of unions.
Fast-changing consumer trends intensify this exploitation. The production cycles are becoming shorter, increasing pressure on workers. But there may be a shift: profits for companies dropped significantly in 2024, possibly signaling that this model (hopefully) will not remain profitable for long.
Regenerative Fashion as a Way Forward
Sustainable and ethical fashion is gaining growing interest worldwide, and one of its most promising directions is regenerative fashion. This approach goes beyond reducing harm—it actively helps restore ecosystems.
For instance, regenerative agriculture-based cotton farming improves soil health, captures carbon, and enhances biodiversity. Brands like Anthropologie show how clothing production can become not just sustainable but healing for nature.
Ethical Fashion: A Values-Based Approach Instead of Trend-Chasing
According to Atmos magazine, the future of fashion is not just about materials or technologies but about values. Ethical fashion avoids fast consumption and profit maximization, instead focusing on the wellbeing of people, animals, and ecosystems.
It includes preserving artisanal techniques, empowering communities, and honoring cultural heritage. Fashion should return to expressing identity and connection, rather than promoting disposability.
Conscious Consumption and Industry Responsibility
Making thoughtful choices—buying fewer but better quality, ethically sourced garments—can support systemic change. Fashion companies must create transparent supply chains, use truly eco-friendly materials, and ensure fair working conditions.
Regenerative fashion is not just a trend—it’s a mindset that can help reconnect humanity with nature and awaken our moral responsibility.
It emphasizes circularity and the integration of natural and social systems—from the creation of garments that are ethical, environmentally and socially sustainable, and value-driven, through long-term conscious use, all the way to material and energy recovery. Unlike many “sustainable” practices that still maintain exploitative systems, regenerative fashion aims to heal human and non-human communities and ecosystems alike.
Sustainable Fashion Challenges for May
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On May 07, EVK and FAKT student associations are organizing a charity clothing sale. Take part and support a social cause!
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Anyone can bring gently used clothing to the event—not just student organizations. Donate something yourself!
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Avoid buying any clothes or accessories in May (except at the charity sale). Instead, visit the Corvinus Farmers’ Market on May 13 and spend on healthy, local fruits and vegetables.
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Look through your wardrobe and wear two items you haven’t worn in at least a year. Why were they left unused for so long?
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If you have a damaged item—torn, frayed, missing a button—repair it instead of throwing it away. The Beeco map lists many repair-support places in Budapest.
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If you really need something, check second-hand stores and charity shops first—they’re also on the Beeco map. But be mindful: even second-hand shopping can become excessive. Also make sure the store you choose reinvests in ethical and sustainable ways.
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Pick three garments from your closet, check what materials they’re made of, and research their environmental, health, and animal welfare risks—such as toxic chemicals, microplastics, or unethical wool and leather. (AI can help!)
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Be mindful of how you wash your clothes: choose energy-saving modes, wash at 30°C, air dry, and use eco-friendly detergents. The Conscious Consumers Association and Körforrás websites have useful tips and product ratings.
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Overconsumption in fashion is fueled by social media advertising. For one day, track how many clothing ads you see. Block unnecessary or harmful ads (especially from major fast fashion brands) to reduce your exposure.
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Share your sustainable fashion experiences with friends or followers throughout the month. Talk about the fashion industry’s harmful impacts. Do you think your choices can inspire others?