Bleeding Blue: How Denim Has Affected The World Around Us
- narkarnandini12
- Jun 11, 2022
- 2 min read
Denim has been a staple piece in all eras of fashion. It's essential in all our wardrobes. However, this timeless piece has proven itself to be one of Earth's worst enemies. The fashion industry is one of the most harmful industries in the world. The production of denim has damaging effects in almost all the stages of its production.
A single pair of jeans requires around 3781 litres of water to be dyed. Denim’s signature blue is achieved by an indigo dye. The indigo dye is linked to toxic chemicals (like cyanide) which are usually dumped into nearby rivers to cut wastewater treatment
costs. These poisonous toxins in the river find their way to nearby crops and plants which in turn could lead to dangerous results for the consumers.
However, denim production usually has the biggest impact on its factory workers. Sandblasting is a process that includes blasting a pair of jeans with a hose of sand and water. The small particles that are released during this process are inhaled by the workers and can lead to deadly diseases like scoliosis. Additionally, like any other sector of the fashion industry, denim production factories are expected to produce at the rate of ongoing trends. Fulfilling global demands motivate the industry to produce cheap jeans, leaving workers in hazardous conditions and low-paying jobs. This type of stretchy denim is hard to recycle and non-biodegradable, worsening its environmental impact.
When we started brainstorming for our photoshoot, we thought about ways that we could use our platform to spread a message. As a collective, we’re passionate about sustainability and finding ways to create more environment-friendly pieces. Our aim was to use second-hand or re-usable pieces to create a look. After a deep dive into our closets, denim was one of the most common and excess pieces of clothing we found. As our bodies and trends changed, denim was the one thing that remained constant.
As awareness of the drastic effects of the industry on the environment increases, many sectors are taking strides to improve their methods of production. For starters in 2009, the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) in Turkey helped to outlaw sandblasting. Additionally, post covid, the public relationship with clothing changed as practices like thrifting and sustainability were introduced. Around 67% of people now considered sustainable materials when buying clothes.
Even though these issues seem daunting, as individuals there is a lot one can do to make a difference.
Wash your jeans every 5-6 wears
Buy versatile and durable jeans that will last!
Keep jeans out of the landfill by either recycling them or donating them!
Find ways to upcycle your jeans
The quality of a jean never dies! Try buying your pair of jeans second-hand!
When developing this design our aim was to bring our audience's attention to the effects of denim and motivate them to take action. We collected jeans from our friends and family to create a look that was 100% made from second-hand denim.
This project has allowed us to further our interests in sustainability and better our shopping habits. Denim is a timeless piece, its negative impact will forever be prevalent in the world if we don't start a change. Be the change, Bleed blue.
- Pandemonium!
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