Eco Fashion Trend Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Eco Fashion Trend - Research Paper Example The essay "Eco Fashion Trend" concerns the eco fashion. Brands and designers are focusing on reducing their carbon footprint by manufacturing products in a manner that is environmentally friendly and employs socially responsible techniques in the production process. Post recession, consumers of late have been focusing on vitalities, like their health and reconnecting with nature. Global catastrophes like Hurricanes and Tsunamis have further strengthened this â€Å"green† trend. The current study aims to bring out the essence of being socially responsible for organizations who share a major responsibility towards its customers and the economy. Not only the consumers, even the job seekers are looking out for organizations that adopt ethical means of business and display social responsibility to some extent in their business practices. Marks & Spencer is one such organization that prefers to go with the flow, but this study aims to explore the hidden areas that still remain untap ped by the firm inspite of putting up a rigorous effort in adapting to the needed eco changes in work culture. Marks and Spencer has for long met the need of its consumers through fashionable yet affordable clothing. It is a retail giant with massive global operations and manufacturing bases in countries like Bangladesh, India, China, etc. With stringent environment laws and greater awareness in the general public about manufacturing practices, it is an imperative need to lay emphasis on â€Å"Eco-Fashion†. The twin challenges are to create apparel.... Buzz words associated with â€Å"Eco-fashion† are organic, ethically manufactured, sustainable, eco-friendly, Fair trade, reusable, recyclable, etc. Although fashion and environmental concerns appear to be at loggerheads as the former implies products with a short life span whilst the other lays stress on reusability, sustainability and durability, yet the pointers towards sustainable fashion are too strong to ignore (Berry B, 2007). The rapidly growing size of the organic market presents an interesting opportunity for Marks and Spencer. Fashion magazines like Vogue, Elle and Vanity Fair have carried eco-fashion articles to support and underline this trend and the commercial appeal it present. Marks and Spencer already supports the fair trade practices and has launched organic clothing lines (Bayani M O, 2010). Even, mass retailers like Wal-Mart have joined the bandwagon by introducing such collections albeit on a smaller scale. On the whole, fashion retailers have as of now f ailed to cash in or eco-consumerism. The quest to achieve environmental, social as well as commercial obligations is a very tricky one. The fashion industry as a whole has been focused on the manufacturing and supply side rather than on the consumer’s side. This presents a tremendous opportunity to M & S as it entails making fashionable and affordable products using environmental friendly materials and techniques as well as championing the social cause. There are various factors that support this proposed strategy, U Stringent environment laws U Reduction in carbon footprint U Championing the cause of social responsibility U Greater consumer awareness U Means to achieve