No. 4 (2024)
Essays

Weaving Sustainability: A planetary perspective on fibers in fashion

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  • Carolina Obregón,
  • Giovanna Danies
Carolina Obregón
2Parsons School of Design, School of Fashion, School of Strategic Design & Management
Giovanna Danies
Universidad de los Andes
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/fh-3015

Published 31-12-2024

Keywords

  • Cannabis sativa,
  • biodiversity,
  • biodesign,
  • Colombia,
  • waste

How to Cite

Obregón, C., & Danies, G. (2024). Weaving Sustainability: A planetary perspective on fibers in fashion. Fashion Highlight, (4), 118–129. https://doi.org/10.36253/fh-3015

Copyright (c) 2025 Carolina Obregón, Giovanna Danies

Creative Commons License

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

Abstract

Fibers are integral to the fashion industry, functioning as essential materials and cultural symbols within a global network of production and consumption. This paper adopts a planetary perspective, exploring fibers as dynamic material flows across human, non-human, living, and technological realms. Using Cannabis sativa L. stems as a case study, we examine their transformation from waste to resource, highlighting their potential role in a circular economy. This includes governance and ethical considerations, cultural histories, and the relationship between fibers and geographical locations where all these elements synergize. Understanding fibers holistically is crucial for fostering a sustainable future in fashion and embracing the inherent nobility of fiber.

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