Abstract

PALOMO-LOVINSKI, Noël  and  FAERM, Steven. Changing the Rules of the Game: Sustainable Product Service Systems and Manufacturing in the Fashion Industry. Cuad. Cent. Estud. Diseñ. Comun., Ensayos [online]. 2020, n.78, pp.213-226. ISSN 1853-3523.  http://dx.doi.org/10.18682/cdc.vi78.3672.

The fashion industry is based on a bygone era in which time is linear and place is specific. This lack of relevancy results in global apparel production that is increasingly inefficient and destructive. The harmful practices of fashion manufacturing industry are no longer permissible in an age that has the knowledge capacity and technological innovations to avoid environmental damage and human inequalities. The deleterious manufacturing practices performed in developing countries contribute to the industry being under continued scrutiny, yet intensifying expectations for fast-paced delivery are at the root of these harmful practices. There is a tacit acknowledgement among fashion industry pundits that historical examples of manufacturing and commerce in the United States do not meet the demands of a society accustomed to instant access, constant change, and low prices. These slower and more traditional models of manufacturing and commerce will increasingly impede profitability in the contemporary marketplace as environmental and social issues continue.

Thus, the fashion industry is in a state flux. Simultaneously, it must decrease destructive practices within the life cycle of clothing while remaining financially sustainable. This binary relationship elicits key questions that can help direct the industry toward a better future. What are the possibilities of domestic apparel manufacturing that utilizes innovative production methods, communication technology, and service systems that, in turn, encourage holistic, sustainable practices? What are the possibilities for and needs of designers who want to take full advantage of an evolving relationship between consumers and designers? In this study, particular attention is paid to new systems of production and distribution that will change the role of fashion designers for the future.

Keywords : sustainability; fashion design; product service systems; manufacturing; technology..

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