Climate Crisis in Our Closets: Sustainability Transition of Fast Fashion Using MLP Analysis

Abstract

Innovations in production and retail methods have propelled the fashion industry's explosive growth, with complex global supply chains that pose serious environmental and social issues. Despite increased awareness and multiple attempts toward sustainability, the industry is still trapped in an unsustainable paradigm. Therefore, this dissertation aims to examine the barriers of transition toward a sustainable fashion model. Given the highly globalized nature of the fashion supply chain, and manufacturing spread across different nations, it is essential to examine the barriers to sustainability from the perspective of actors within the supply chain. Examining these issues through the perspectives of manufacturers and other key stakeholders offers valuable insight into the intricate dynamics at work and helps in locating regional barriers that could prevent a smooth transition. Hence, this study focuses on conducting interviews with manufacturers and industry experts in Indian fashion supply chain to get the perspective of a manufacturing country. The findings reveal a disconnect between sustainability standards and their local implementation, often exacerbated by the lack of brand accountability and disregard for local realities. The research highlights how certifications, largely shaped by Western ideals, fail to account for the socio-economic and infrastructural constraints of manufacturing regions like India. This study argues for a pivot away from a one-size-fits-all approach to sustainability, advocating for strategies tailored to local contexts that better align with the needs and challenges faced by actors in developing economies.