Stracci Inspires Disruption of the Fashion Industry’s Issues

From Prato to Inspiration: How the Documentary “Stracci” Inspires a Journey to Disrupt an Industry’s Integral Issues

By Natalie Antonia of Lana Sarcina

Recently, I watched the remarkable Italian documentary “Stracci,” directed by Tommaso Santi and narrated by journalist Silvia Gambi. The documentary explores the story of a small town in Prato, Italy, where a local textile company is transforming textile waste into regenerated raw materials.

It reminded me of my own journey of unexpectedly entering the world of sustainable fashion after working in entirely different industries. As the founder of a fashion startup focused on disrupting unsustainable practices in the fashion industry, I found the documentary not only informative about the current state of the environment but also inspiring.

The immersive experience made me realize the power of sustainable solutions and their potential to reduce wasteful practices. As a consumer and entrepreneur, I strive to highlight the importance of valuing our purchases and changing the way we consume, which has a positive impact on the environment. However, there are integral issues in the industry that need to be addressed by all.

The negative impacts on the Earth, pollution, waste, labor violations, and consumers’ mindset towards their clothing are ongoing problems. But how can we fix these issues one by one? This article will discuss the solutions.

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Issues in the Fashion Industry

Stracci Documentary Explores the Fashion Industry's Issues: Girl in white hat crouched in a field of flowers

The fashion industry is responsible for an estimated 10% of global carbon emissions and is the second-largest consumer of the world’s water supply. It is also responsible for 20% of industrial water pollution worldwide. In terms of waste, it is estimated that the industry generates 92 million tons of textile waste each year.

This waste contributes significantly to the pollution of landfills, as synthetic fibres can take hundreds of years to decompose. The use of toxic chemicals in textile production has potential for negative health effects on workers and the consumers.

In addition to the environmental impact of the fashion industry, there are also social and ethical issues to consider. In developing countries, many garment workers are paid very low wages and work in poor conditions due to the lack of labour laws.

The business model of mass production, cheap materials, and the latest fashion trends puts pressure on manufacturing companies to cut corners and exploit their workers. This has unfortunately led to human rights abuses and contributed to poverty in the countries known to be manufacturing hubs such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Fortunately, there are countries such as Italy that want to solve this problem. The town of Prato, Italy is one example of a textile supplier that is working to create a new form of textiles that are less harmful to our health and the environment.

Potential Solutions

For many customers, ethics are not a priority as they instead opt to purchase from more cost-effective brands. Not only is there a problem with the way people shop, but there is also a problem with how people dispose of their unwanted clothes. People often donate their old clothing to charities and donation bins without considering where it ends up.

Unfortunately, it often ends up in landfills or is taken to markets in Africa to be resold at market value. For instance, if someone needs to go out at night, the first thing they look at is their closet. They may feel like they don’t have enough clothing, so they buy the next affordable dress, contributing to over-consumption and a lack of appreciation for what they already own.

People are misled to believe that their unwanted clothing will end up in the hands of those who need it, but unfortunately, this is not the case. If only people were educated on the greater impacts of their buying decisions and learned about the environmental impact, they would make better purchasing decisions and view clothing as valuable, rather than something to be thrown away, destroyed, or left collecting dust at the back of their closets.

Girl in white jumper with arms outreaches as she walks a paved path between trees

How can we change the way consumers value their clothing?

Changing the way consumers shop and value their clothing requires a shift in mindset that sees clothing not as disposable but as a valuable commodity. It requires a willingness to make an effort when purchasing products that prioritize sustainability over convenience and a conscious choice to purchase from companies that have similar values.

I have begun Lana Sarcina with the mission of being transparent about our supply chain and production practices, which helps to promote greater accountability in the fashion industry. By showcasing our commitment to transparency, Lana Sarcina is striving to reinvent the ways consumers buy and think about the importance of making more thoughtful decisions in the purchasing process.

As an entrepreneur, I am constantly seeking inspiration and innovative ways to make a difference. Watching “Stracci” reminded me of the significance of staying true to our values and being mindful of our impact on the planet. The documentary captivated me with its meticulous attention to detail and the craftsmanship involved in transforming recycled textiles into new raw materials. Fashion and textiles have a profound history that we should strive to preserve.

I highly recommend this documentary to anyone interested in understanding the current state of our planet. It offers a fascinating exploration of how a dedicated group of individuals in Italy is making a significant impact. It reaffirmed my belief in the value of educating the public about what it really going on and preserving sustainable solutions in the fashion industry.

The documentary sheds light on the importance of innovative and sustainable textile regeneration. By showcasing how a small town in Italy is transforming textile waste into new fabrics for the fashion industry, it serves as a powerful reminder of the direct impact of what our clothing waste is contributing to.

As consumers and entrepreneurs, it is our responsibility to prioritize the value of our purchases and transform our consumption habits. Through education and inventing new ways to reduce the fashion industries harm on the planet, we can inspire others to do the same.

How is our approach different to solving these integral problems in the industry?

At Lana Sarcina, we firmly believe in the transformative power of disrupting the fashion industry’s wasteful practices and restoring the value of clothing. Inspired by the “Stracci” documentary, we are dedicated to making significant changes through small-batch production, the use of traditional and natural materials, seasonless collections, and the promotion of sustainable solutions.

However, we recognize that disrupting wasteful practices in the industry is not an individual task. It demands a collective effort from all stakeholders, including designers, manufacturers, consumers, and policymakers. By collaborating and working together, we can shape a better future and establish a sustainable and equitable fashion industry. The “Stracci” documentary serves as a poignant reminder of our shared responsibility and the potential impact of sustainable solutions in creating a positive change in the world.

At Lana Sarcina, our commitment lies in addressing the issue of waste reduction within the fashion industry. That’s why we are determined to revolutionize the way clothing is produced and distributed. Our dedication to small-batch production and seasonless collections exemplifies our disruptive approach towards the industry’s wasteful practices.

By adopting these practices, we extend the lifespan of our garments, reduce waste, and promote circularity. Embracing small-batch production and seasonless collections also allows us to promote the concept of circular fashion and make the industry more accessible.

Additionally, our production process emphasizes craftsmanship and utilizes traditional materials, ensuring that each piece is meticulously created with care and attention to detail. We firmly believe that by reimagining traditional practices and embracing sustainable solutions, we can make a positive impact on our planet.

Through the integration of traditional materials, small-batch production, seasonless designs, and a commitment to transparency, we aim to contribute to the well-being of the planet and secure a better future for generations to come. Together, we have the power to disrupt the industry’s wasteful practices and pave the way for a brighter future.

Girl standing on rock by the ocean

About the author

Natalie Antonia, the founder of Lana Sarcina, had a unique perspective while building her fashion startup. Despite having no prior experience in fashion or manufacturing, she noticed key problems in the supply chain and manufacturing of clothing while working in an entirely different industry. She joined an accelerator and began learning the ins and outs of a new industry with a clear vision of what she wanted to accomplish.

She designed, sourced, and found a production partner to start Lana Sarcina, focusing on reimagining traditional practices in the fashion industry to reduce the company’s impact on the planet. She saw a need to disrupt the fashion industry, which had become dominated by mass-production, excess material waste, corporate advertising, and a lack of transparency. She spent countless hours researching the Renaissance method of valuing clothing, which emphasizes the importance of long-lasting pieces that tell a story, rather than disposable commodities.

At L A N A S A R C I N A, we believe in the power of the garment to tell a story and make clothing valuable again. As the driving force behind the brand’s mission to bring fashion back to its roots, Natalie believes that slow fashion is the key to solving the authenticity problem in the industry.

With the crowdfunding launch of Lana Sarcina, our founder invites everyone to join her on the journey towards bringing fashion back to its traditional roots, inspired by the Renaissance method of valuing clothing that emphasizes long-lasting pieces that tell a story.

You can find more of her work at these links:

https://www.lanasarcina.com/home/

https://lanasarcina.com/blog

https://medium.com/@info_23594