Each year, around 100 billion garments are produced globally. In Europe, each inhabitant consumes approximately 25 kilograms of textiles annually, of which they discard 22. How have we reached this point where clothing has lost so much value?
We discussed this with Pilar Pasamontes, a 20th-century fashion historian and Scientific Director of Fashion at the European Institute of Design (IED). Her vision and knowledge of fashion history help us better understand why these excesses occur and what role circularity and sustainability play in the present and future of textiles.
“Fashion reflects every historical moment, and now we are living in strange and turbulent times. On the one hand, there is an excess of everything (…) and at the same time, there is a great homogenization and a loss of the value of things in general and of clothing in particular. ”
We dedicated part of the interview to discussing the care of clothing and extending its life. As an anecdote, or perhaps not, Pilar explains that she hasn’t had a washing machine at home for many years. “In many Nordic countries and in the United States, laundry is shared, and I believe we are moving towards that model,” she explains. She adds, “We must care for our clothes as they deserve, and not only those that have cost us a lot of money. With the devaluation of clothing, we have also lost the value of care.”
You can find the full conversation at Girbau LAB Talks by So Good, the interview space where we spark reflection on the use phase of textiles as key to a more circular industry. Many thanks, Pilar!
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