What Are the 4 Key Pillars of Sustainable Fashion?

4 Types of Sustainable Fashion Explained
Ethical Fashion
Focuses on humane production, fair wages, and cruelty-free practices.
Example: Brands avoiding sweatshops or animal testing.

Circular Fashion
Promotes recycling, upcycling, and thrifting to minimize waste.
Example: Turning old garments into new designs instead of discarding them.

Slow Fashion
Opposes fast fashion by emphasizing durability, rentals, and mindful consumption.
Example: Investing in timeless, high-quality clothing over cheap, trendy pieces.

Conscious Fashion
Educates consumers to choose eco-friendly brands.
Example: Campaigns promoting biodegradable fabrics like organic cotton.

Why Is This Important for Exams?
NIFT/NID/FDDI: Questions on sustainable design principles, material innovation, or case studies.
SSC/PSC: Current affairs on environmental policies or ethical labor laws.
General Awareness: Essays/GDs on “Fast Fashion vs. Sustainability.”


Sample Exam Questions & Answers
Q1: What is the goal of circular fashion?
A1: To keep materials in use longer via recycling/upcycling, reducing environmental harm.
Q2: How does slow fashion differ from fast fashion?
A2: Slow fashion prioritizes quality and longevity, while fast fashion focuses on cheap, disposable trends.
Q3: Name a fabric used in conscious fashion.
A3: Organic cotton or bamboo—both biodegradable and low-impact.
Q4: Why is ethical fashion linked to Fair Trade?
A4: It ensures fair wages and safe conditions for workers in the supply chain.
Q5: What % of global water pollution comes from the fashion industry?
A5: 20%, making it the second-largest industrial polluter after oil.