The Academy of Natural Sciences presents The Ecology of Fashion

Slowdown fast fashion

Because I am nostalgic and incredibly cheap, I love reviewing secondhand fashions sold on etsy, poshmark and ebay. If I can’t find it in my mother’s closet, then I’ll find it in someone else’s. I am increasingly suspicious of new clothing at low cost. Although fast fashion appears economical short term, long term it potentially ruins the environment and takes advantage of global workers. 93% of 311 brands surveyed by the Clean Clothes Campaign don’t pay their workers a living wage. Plus, fashion is the third highest producer of Greenhouse Gases. Clothing manufacturing greatly contributes to climate change even more than “international aviation and shipping combined” while 85% of clothing purchased winds up in a landfill.

The collaboration between Drexel’s Westphal College of Media Arts and Design and Drexel’s Academy of Natural Sciences is incredibly well-timed. By inspecting how fungi and fossil fuels are endemic to the clothing industry, it will also investigate how our contemporary processes impact the surrounding world. However, I am particularly excited for the exhibit because it includes a sneak peak at garments inside the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection. The FHCC contains 14,000 fashion-related items from designers such as Dior and Chanel. I love this combination of science and fashion which will inform yet entertain.

This is perfect for teenage and adult fashion mavens. Did you know single style trends like a coat worn by Jackie Kennedy can have detrimental effects? Right now, natural slouchy handbags are the rage from luxury sellers down to Target. We need to learn how to be careful so this trend cycle does not conclude in a landfill. If you miss the November 15 opening, you can still catch other informative workshops throughout the exhibit’s run.