National event highlights leaders in sustainable fashion

On May 8, 2024 PIRG hosted a “Voices for Sustainable Fashion Webinar,” a discussion between lawmakers, advocates and fashion industry leaders on advancing sustainability in the fashion industry.

Speakers:

• Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37)
• Representative Sharlett Mena (WA-29)
• Samata Pattinson, CEO of BLACK PEARL
• Alexa Roccanova, Senior Advocacy Manager with Remake
• Irys Kornbluth, COO of Everywhere Apparel
• Amanda Lapham, Co-founder of Wolven

Kathryn Horvath, PIRG’s Waste is Out of Fashion Campaign Associate, gave an overview on the environmental issues caused by the fashion industry. The panelists then discussed proposed fashion industry legislation, how they hope to see the industry change, and what individuals can do to push the fashion industry to become more sustainable.

Resources that were shared:

• “The Sustainable Style Guide for Everyone” from BLACK PEARL is a wonderful resource for anyone looking to learn more about sustainable fashion and how they can join the conversation.
• Remake’s Fashion Accountability Report 2024 evaluates fashion companies’ corporate accountability efforts against their comprehensive, intersectional human rights and environmental impact criteria. This is both an educational and advocacy tool to promote necessary systemic change at various leverage points throughout the fashion industry.
• PIRG’s Petition to Forever 21, calling on them to publicly commit to not trash or burn overstock.

Each featured panelist participated in our Voices for Sustainable Fashion Collection, which highlights the stories of people who are working to advance sustainability in fashion. The stories showcase the creative work people are doing, and each individual describes what motivates them and what their hopes are for the future of fashion. You can read each panelist’s story below by clicking on their photo.

Do you have a story to share?

If you have experience working in the fashion industry, actively advocate for sustainable fashion, or are simply passionate about sustainable fashion and have a story to tell, please let us know.