No. 4 (2024)
Essays

Fashioning Fiber Futures: The fibershed approach to revitalizing Regional fiber networks

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  • Paige Tomfohrde,
  • Jaleesa Reed
Paige Tomfohrde
Cornell University
Jaleesa Reed
Cornell University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/fh-2978

Published 31-12-2024

Keywords

  • fiber,
  • fibershed,
  • localism,
  • policy

How to Cite

Tomfohrde, P., & Reed, J. (2024). Fashioning Fiber Futures: The fibershed approach to revitalizing Regional fiber networks. Fashion Highlight, (4), 76–85. https://doi.org/10.36253/fh-2978

Copyright (c) 2025 Paige Tomfohrde, Jaleesa Reed

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

In less than 100 years, the fashion and textile industry has transformed from local to global supply chains. Today, the industry is dominated by synthetic fiber production which produces garments that contribute to a variety of environmental and social issues such as microplastic pollution, increased carbon emissions, and abundant waste. In recent years, a response led by Fibershed has emerged which embraces a return to local fiber systems with a sincere focus on sustainable practices. Using qualitative thematic analysis, this study evaluates Fibershed’s approach to establishing regional fiber networks and offers possibilities for future expansion of Fibershed’s practices through policy and the inclusion of Indigenous and Black American knowledge and experience in order to create a more sustainable fashion future. 

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