Sustainability and the Social Fabric

While the topic of sustainability in textile manufacture has been the subject of considerable research, much of this is limited to a focus on materials and practices and their ecological impact. Padovani and Whittaker offer a unique exploration of the textile industry in Europe from the perspective of social sustainability, shifting the focus from the materiality of textile production to the industry’s relationships with the communities from which the products originate. Featuring six in-depth case studies from design entrepreneurs, artisans and textile businesses around Europe, from Harris Tweed in Scotland to luxury woollen mills in Italy, Sustainability and the Social Fabric explores how new centres of textile manufacturing have emerged from the economic decline in 2008, responding creatively and producing socially inclusive approaches to textile production. Case studies each represent a different approach to social sustainability and are supported by interviews with industry leaders and comparisons to the global textile industry. Demonstrating how some companies are rebuilding the local social fabric to encourage consumer participation through education, enterprise, health and wellbeing, the book suggests innovative business models that are economically successful and also, in turn, support wider societal issues.

Sustainability and the Social Fabric is an engaging study that demonstrates to students and industry professionals how local and traditional artisanship can have a widespread impact. Moving beyond traditional notions of sustainability, the authors' intelligent and original arguments map thought-provoking alternative practices for fashion production., Sustainability and the Social Fabric is an significant contribution to the growing body of literature that recognizes and interrogates the complexity of textile design and production within the context of current societal challenges.

Clio Padovani is a senior academic in the Faculty of Business, Law and Art at the University of Southampton, UK.Paul Whittaker is Dean of the Faculty of Business, Law, and Art at the University of Southampton, UK.