Sustainable Fashion
Sustainable fashion refers to eco-friendly practices in designing, producing, consuming, and recycling clothes. This practice focuses on making sure the way we approach fashion causes little to no harm to the environment. The hope is that sustainable fashion will be able to withstand time and support a bright and viable future for the planet as well as people. At ÀLA.HAUSSE our vision and motto " Looking Chic with À Purpose" relies on Me and You to make it come true. #WEARYOURPURPOSE #HAUSSEPEOPLE!
Fast Fashion
Ethical Fashion
Fast fashion is based on designing, producing and consuming goods quickly and cheaply. Leading fast fashion brands are inspired by garments on the runway, but sell their clothing at a price affordable to the everyday consumer. Fast fashion is harmful because it results in overproduction and environmental pollution, generates excessive amounts of waste, and leads to low wages for workers. It is a growing industry that is not sustainable, nor is it usually ethical either. ÀLA HAUSSE is all about fashion that is trendy, bold, affordable and eco-friendly. Our platform is here to serve our fashion-loving ecosystem and the environment as a whole.
The term Ethical Fashion refers to the humane treatment of workers in the manufacturing process of the fashion industry. In the past and present, these workers are often not well compensated for or given safe environments to work in. Ethical fashion addresses the issues of working conditions, health and safety, child labour, and living wages -- all important and crucial issues that must be addressed. Ethical fashion also includes the ethical and humane treatment of animals in the fashion industry. ÀLA HAUSSE believes in the equal and fair treatment of all beings.
200000
tons of dyes are lost to effluents every year during the dyeing and finishing operations process from the textile industry.
Organic
When discussing textiles, the term Organic refers to how materials are grown and produced. The process of growing organic materials is devoid of any pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and any other harmful chemicals. These chemicals could be harmful to the planet, to workers producing the material, and to consumers. At ÀLA.HAUSSE we believe in quality over quantity. Be a part of the ÀLA.HAUSSE ecosystem to slow down consumerism as a whole.
“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."
Coco Chanel
Cruelty-Free
Cruelty-free refers to animal welfare, specifically whether any animals were hurt or harmed during the production of the garment. In fashion, it also means that the product is not made with animal-derived materials or byproducts. ÀLA.HAUSSE believes in the equal and fair treatment of all beings. By circulating and upcycling our fashion items, we slow down the consumption of products that are not cruelty-free.
Slow Fashion & Upcycling
Slow fashion is the opposite of fast fashion. In slow fashion, brands approach the process of designing and producing with awareness of sustainability and ethicality. Slow fashion brands create garments that more durable, of higher quality, and are made to last longer. From a consumer perspective, slow fashion requires shoppers to buy less, while simultaneously encouraging them to invest in higher quality pieces.
Upcycling is the practice of transforming waste into reusable, high-quality products. In fashion, upcycling encourages creativity and innovation from designers and producers, and it promotes the reuse and repurposing of manufacturing waste byproducts.
We at ÀLA.HAUSSE believe that slow fashion Is the key to a sustainable future in fashion and the environment. Our ecosystem is designed to slow down fashion consumerism. Through continual circulation and upcycling, we can extend the lives of our existing fashion products. Our individual actions can impact the environment, and when we stand together as a community, our power is infinite.
#WhoMadeMyClothes
The goal of the hashtag was to bring awareness to the humanitarian and ethical issues in fast fashion. Its aim was to raise awareness among consumers, and to have consumers reflect on the brands they purchase, the manufacturing process, and the work environment of garment workers. In response, textile factory workers also participated in the movement with the hashtag #IMadeYourClothes.
Greenwashing
Greenwashing occurs when a company claims that its products are ethical and sustainable in order to distract from its unsustainable practices. This includes any intentionally misleading ad campaigns and any publicized environmental claim. Companies will often refer to one or two eco-friendly initiatives they are partaking in as proof that they are a sustainable or ethical brand. However, in most cases, their initiatives aren’t enough, and don’t fully address the bigger, more critical issues at hand.
Traceability
Traceability is the ability to track all aspects of an item throughout the supply chain. It is an important concept because it requires that a brand/company be transparent about their actions. Traceability ensures that the company can be held responsible for claimed practices and values, and it promotes more ethical and sustainable values.
Carbon Emissions
Carbon emissions are the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but the term is often used to refer to greenhouse gas emissions as a whole, the key contributors of climate change. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions each year. It is the second-largest contributor, releasing more carbon emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. Every year, the fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic meters of water, enough water to meet the needs of 5 million people. The pressure of constant production and consumption has created an environmentally unsustainable industry.
Fair Trade
Any organization with the Fair Trade symbol is certified by Fairtrade International. Fair Trade acknowledges and addresses the imbalance of power in trading relationships, building a model that ensures decent working conditions, sound environmental practices, and a thriving worker community. Fairtrade items may include a premium to guarantee that the farmer or factory worker is properly compensated for and is able to earn a better living.
Transparency
Transparency refers to a company publicly sharing where their products are sourced, how their products are made, and who is involved. This is an important practice, because it promotes better treatment of factory workers and animals, and it encourages more ethical and sustainable practices. At ÀLA.HAUSSE, us #HAUSSEPEOPLE own ourselves, speak with our actions, contribute authentically, and #WEAROURPURPOSE.
Recycling
Recycling is the process of breaking down a product into its raw base materials for reuse. This can be a costly and time-consuming process that involves many parts. At ÀLA.HAUSSE, we believe that by reselling and renting our fashion items, we go beyond simply recycling our products. We are being proactive. #WEARYOURPURPOSE
Circular Economy
A circular economy focuses on creating products that are reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable. This is done to minimize, if not eliminate, the waste created by the fashion industry. To be effective, this practice must be put in place from the very start, with the design and conception of the product. True circularity requires full transparency from a company.
Biodegradable
The term Biodegradable refers to a product that could be naturally broken down without harming the environment. Biodegradable clothing is increasingly becoming one of the main commitments in the fashion industry. Fashion brands are becoming more mindful to promote sustainability, thus, reducing its negative impact on the environment.
Clothing that are biodegradable often use non-synthetic fabrics without harmful chemicals, such as bamboo, hemp and organic cotton. At ÀLA.HAUSSE, we are committed to biodegradable designs. #HAUSSEPEOPLE raise awareness with every style worn and trade, and therefore, foster change. What drives us is our essence to wear clothing with a purpose – something we hope to inspire you to do too.
Design for Disassembly
Design for Disassembly is a concept that considers the end-of-life options for how the product, its components and the materials can be deconstructed at the end of its useful life. The goal for Design for Disassembly in the fashion industry is to create long-lasting fashion garments and products. This creates value for fashion consumers and eliminates waste with closed loop systems. We at ÀLA.HAUSSE aim to provide fashion lovers a thoughtful multi-functioned fashion ecosystem, one that provides value retention and meaningful next use for #HAUSSEPEOPLE.
Cost-Per-Wear
Cost-per-wear is a concept that considers the value of an item in relation to how much one uses it. For example, if a $200 piece of clothing was worn twice, each wear will cost $100; and if worn four times, then each wear would cost $50, and so on. Essentially, you add the purchased price and the additional maintenance costs together, then divide by the estimated/total number of times the item will be used.
At ÀLA.HAUSSE, we believe that an understanding in cost-per-wear is a lesson in value. This is why we have created a multi-functional and multi-purposeful fashion ecosystem to encourage individuals and brands to rebuy, resell, reuse, and upcycle one’s clothing assets. Thus, we reduce one’s personal cost-per-wear and help our #HAUSSEPEOPLE look at their fashion purchases in a whole new light.
Eco-Efficiency
Eco-efficiency is a measure of sustainability, encouraging the practice of using resources to create positive environmental impact, while lessening pollution and waste. It is based on the concept of creating more with less. This can be used as a business management strategy for sustainable development and also as a measure of environmental performance.
ÀLA.HAUSSE’s mobile application is a digital fashion marketplace that will help achieve eco-efficiency by optimizing the use of fashion items, as well as increasing their market value and useful life. Giving fashion pieces a new life will improve environmental performance, reuse “waste fashion,” and reduce virgin material production.
Conscious Fashion & the Conscious Customer
Conscious fashion is a growing philosophy and movement that has been sweeping the nation. It is also referred to as “ethical fashion,” “eco fashion,” or “sustainable fashion”. Fashion brands use this term to imply that their clothes are made with a “mindful” and “purposeful” approach.
A conscious consumer refers to a person who takes the time to reflect on the impact of their choices, and consumes consciously to reduce said impact.
ÀLA.HAUSSE is all about encouraging consumers with the same mindset to prioritize the sustainability of the people and the planet. ÀLA.HAUSSE also urges consumers to support an ethical, alternative trend by seeking transparent, conscious fashion brands. This would create a fashion ecosystem that can be supported indefinitely, positively impacting the planet and the people on it, bringing awareness to consumers, and holding brands accountable to their social responsibility.
Lifetime Extension
The term lifetime extension is a concept of expanding a product’s lifespan, lengthening the time over which it can continue to serve its original intended function. At ÀLA.HAUSSE’s fashion ecosystem, we intend to increase each fashion product’s lifespan by providing a digital peer-to-peer marketplace where fashion can be continually reused and recycled. Our platform encourages a mutually beneficial relationship between fashion consumers and the environment.
Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing, aka 3D printing, manufactures objects by adding material in layers. Unlike the traditional manufacture method of removing material (which creates waste byproducts), additive manufacturing wastes less resources and materials. It has been increasingly used in the fashion industry, because it gives fashion a wider range of possibilities during the creative and production process. Consequently, it also gives consumers a new mass-customization solution with lowered costs. Additive manufacturing is a new sustainable and environmentally friendly practice that allows brands and manufacturers to meet their social responsibilities and sustainability objectives.
Regenerative Design
Regenerative design is a whole systems approach that focuses on processes that restore, renew, or revitalize their own sources of energy and materials. It is a holistic design that mimics nature, recognizing that the environment is resilient because it is a closed-loop system. Regenerative design aims to achieve net-positive impacts for ecology, health, and safety.
In the fashion industry, regenerative design is used when producing fibers through regenerative farming, also known as agroecology. Fashion products created from fibers harvested on regenerative farms help enhance biodiversity, improve watersheds, and enrich soil. ÀLA.HAUSSE strives to connect fashion consumers with regenerative design through system thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration, creating an opportunity to transform the fashion industry.
Closed-Loop Recycling
Closed-loop recycling is a sustainability-focused supply chain in which used products are recycled, redesigned, and manufactured into the same product over and over again. Unlike open-loop recycling, closed-loop recycling does not significantly degrade the quality of the material or generate as much as waste, so products of closed-loop recycling can be circulated for as long as possible.
We, at ÀLA.HAUSSE, have signed up for the same sustainability action plan! Via our mobile application, individuals and brands are encouraged to rebuy, resell, and reuse. This includes recirculating unwanted fashion pieces back into the marketplace, as well as reusing secondhand fashion products to ensure maximum usability and minimum waste generation throughout a product’s lifecycle.
Secondary Materials Marketplace
Secondary materials marketplace facilitates the exchange of secondary raw materials. It allows secondary material buyers or suppliers to find each other on a digital-based platform. ÀLA.HAUSSE’s multi-functional mobile application invites fashion consumers to a secondary marketplace where users can rebuy, resell, reuse, rent, and lend fashion products. ÀLA.HAUSSE opens up each fashion item to a second life, hence, shifting our harmful consumerism habit.
Waste Hierarchy
Waste hierarchy is a rank order of waste management options, beginning with waste prevention, followed by reduce, reuse, recycle, recovery/repair, and finally safe disposal. It is a tool used to evaluate processes with the aim of extracting the maximum amounts of benefit from products with the minimum amount of waste generated. ÀLA.HAUSSE is a sustainable business model. It incorporates the waste hierarchy by shifting fashion consumers away from the throwaway attitude through refashioning, recycling and reusing all secondhand fashion items.
Fashion Hacking
Fashion hacking is the process of dissecting a garment or piece of clothing and turning it into something new. By reconstructing a garment the designer is creating a brand new piece out of an already existing piece of clothing. The practice relies on creativity and the ability to look at a garment and see it beyond what it is. At ÀLA.HAUSSE we are always in search of unique ways to play around with fashion and style so we love the idea and process of fashion hacking.
Supply Chain
The supply chain is all the companies and individuals that make up the chain that creates products being sold. In fashion this consists of the designers, the manufacturers, the producers, the retailers, and finally the consumer, each playing an important role in the grand scheme of things. Right now the fashion supply chain follows a linear model where the garment goes from the design process to the consumer’s wardrobe, and eventually to the landfill. This linear model means that consumers will constantly be purchasing new products and this is where the success of fast fashion comes from. On the other hand, the more sustainable approach is a circular model where the garment can reenter the supply chain instead of adding to the waste cycle. The circular model is much more approachable and is what we at ÀLA.HAUSSE are trying to achieve with our approach to fashion. By encouraging reselling/renting/borrowing of clothing we are ensuring that garments are given more than one life and encouraging our consumers to stop buying new.
Made-to-Order
Made-to-order fashion is the opposite of fast fashion. Whereas fast fashion is constantly being produced in mass quantities, made-to-order fashion is exactly what it sounds like. Brands will tailor garments to each individual for exact size and fit. The process is more time consuming and can cost more, but the product is made specifically for the customer and is made to last. ÀLA.HAUSSE is always looking for ways to extend a garment’s lifecycle and made-to-order is a perfect example of this.
Zero Waste Fashion
Zero waste fashion is fashion that is created with the goal of producing as little waste as possible. This can be done in the production side of things where new garments are made with little to no waste during manufacturing, or it can be post-consumer where companies will repurpose old garments into new creations, saving these textiles from ending up in landfills. Average garment production will often generate an average of 15% textile waste, therefore a zero waste fashion model is extremely sustainable. As we are always trying to be conscious of and eliminate waste in the fashion industry ÀLA.HAUSSE is a strong supporter of zero waste fashion and love to see the innovations of brands and designers in this sector.
Cultural Appropriation
Cultural appropriation is the way in which designers take elements from cultures without respecting the original meaning or giving credit. Additionally they are profiting off of something that they do not have the right to be using. It often happens in the fashion industry and with a lack of accountability it continues to occur.
Collaboration
Collaboration or collabs are when two or more brands/designers join forces to create something new. It is common for brands to collaborate together to come out with limited edition products that can only be purchased for a limited time. Sometimes big brands will collaborate with small designers which can be beneficial to both parties. The small designers can gain traction and a following, and the big brand is displaying their support for independent designers.
B Corp
B corporation is a certification that companies can get that determines sustainability efforts. An evaluation of overall social and environmental conduct of business is done and an overall score is given based on impact on workers, customers, communities, and the environment.
End-of-Life
End-of-life is what happens to a garment at the end of their life. The end-of-life is critical as it defines the fashion business model, where we currently favour linear over circular. Sustainable end-of-life options will extend the garment’s life cycle rather than ending it. Examples of these are re-sale, recycling, donating, upcycling, or repurposing. ÀLA.HAUSSE has adopted a sustainable way to extend the end-of-life of all garments and we hope to inspire others to do the same.
Life Cycle Assesment
Life cycle assessment is the assessment of the impact a garment has on the environment in all stages of its life. This includes raw materials, manufacturing, distribution, retail, and disposal. The assessment can be helpful to understand the exact impact one new piece of clothing can have on the environment and can encourage consumers to seek out more sustainable options.
Artisan
An artisan garment is something that was made by a skilled craftsman who designs and creates pieces entirely by hand. The practice is often traditional and requires an immense amount of skill to learn. Artisan pieces often take longer to make in comparison to machine made garments and are made to last a lifetime. ÀLA.HAUSSE encourages the support of artisan made products as they favour longevity and sustainability as well as provide support to a cultural heritage.
Minimalism
The idea of minimalism focuses on the idea of ‘less is more’. It is common that minimalist fashion revolves around a capsule wardrobe where you purchase more versatile pieces that can be worked in many different ways. Minimalism is about stepping away from overconsumption and considering what kind of pieces you can see yourself wearing everyday. Minimalist garments are often black or white as these are easy to pair with anything and can easily be dressed up or down. ÀLA.HAUSSE encourages everyone to consider their carbon footprint when it comes to fashion waste and adopting a minimalist lifestyle is an easy way to make this change.
Deadstock
Deadstock fabrics are the leftover textiles that are no longer in use from apparel companies. Deadstock can occur from many different scenarios such as overproduction, a manufacturing error or something going out of season. It is common for brands to send their deadstock fabrics to the landfill when they feel they no longer have a use for them anymore. Some brands utilize their deadstock fabrics in innovative ways rather than adding to the waste hierarchy. We at ÀLA.HAUSSE are always trying to reduce overconsumption and waste and we love to see how brands are using deadstock rather than tossing it.
Secondhand
Secondhand shopping is the act of buying used products rather than new ones. In fashion this can easily be done and is often called thrifting. This can be done in many different ways and due to the overconsumption of fashion on a global scale there is always an excess amount of secondhand clothing available to purchase. Products will often be sold at a discount as they are being donated or resold by the original buyer, and it can be a great way to save big! The ÀLA.HAUSSE is focused on buying and reselling clothing as we are always looking to reduce fashion waste in any way we can. We always encourage our consumers to secondhand shop over buying new.
Synthetic Fibres
Unlike natural fibres, synthetic fibres are man made by chemical processes. Natural fibres come from plants, animals, or minerals. On the other hand, synthetic fibres have to be created manually through chemical processes that use polymers to form fibres. Synthetic fibres like polyester are favoured by fast fashion companies as they are cheap to produce and can be made in mass quantities. Synthetic fibres are often more stain and waterproof resistant than their counterparts. The five most common synthetic fibres are polyester, rayon, acrylic, spandex, and microfibres. ÀLA.HAUSSE is always looking for ways to be as environmentally conscious as possible. Although both types of fibers have pros and cons, choosing natural fibres is the more sustainable choice as these are made to last and created with longevity in mind. Our favourite natural fibres are cotton, silk, wool, and linen.
Accountability
Being accountable is when an individual or a company will assume responsibility for their actions and the impact they may have. Accountability is becoming more prevalent in the fashion industry as consumers are calling on brands, namely fast fashion companies, to be more accountable for their actions. Accountability and transparency go hand in hand as companies need to practice both in order to have honest conversations with their consumers.
Inclusion
Inclusion in fashion means that everyone is given a voice and a platform to express themselves. The fashion industry is known for and has had issues with representation in terms of who is being represented and who is not, and the need for inclusivity is prominent. This means creating an environment where different narratives and forms of aesthetic representation can be embraced.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate social responsibility or CSR is a commitment that a company will make that involves the self regulating of their environmental, social, and economic impact. This also means that they need to consider the impact their products can have on the environment long term, even after it has been purchased by the consumer. CSR is a way for companies to showcase internal accountability to their consumers and a way to always improve.
Mono Materials
Mono materials are garments made out of only one type of material or fiber. The tag will say 100% so you can be confident that it is just the one textile. Mono materials are easier to recycle because they do not need to be separate unlike their counterparts blend materials.
Fashion Revolution
Fashion revolution is a global movement that is calling on the fashion industry to be more fair, safe, clean, and transparent. It was founded as a response to the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013. They are also responsible for the #whomademyclothes campaign and publish a yearly fashion transparency index that reviews the largest global fashion brands and rate their human rights and environmental impacts.
Via ÀLA.HAUSSE‘s Multi-functional and Multi-purposeful Fashion Ecosystem- BUY/SELL/RENT/LEND/ (swap BETA 2021) mobile application, INDIVIDUALS & brands ( BETA 2021) are encouraged to REBUY, RESELL, REUSE and UP-CYCLE their personal “Clossets” aka Clothing Assets, along with overstock inventory and samples.
Through this consumerism habit shift we indirectly slow down the urgency on fashion’s carbon footprint, aiding sustainability as a whole.
BETA Early Access Application Now Open SS21 iOS Android
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