Fashion and environment?

Although it may seem disconnected from global environmental issues and sustainable technology, the fashion industry is leaving significant ecological footprints. It is currently exploring great measures to ensure eco-friendly solutions for materials and processes by constantly innovating the sustainable technologies in the fashion industry.

The extent to which fabric is environmentally friendly can be measured on three different levels: its ability to renew, ecological footprint, and chemicals used before going to market. Fashion Takes Action is Canada's eco-fashion voice, founded by Kelly Drennan. Visit www.fashiontakesaction.com to learn more about sustainability in the fashion industry.

R4 concept

From a young age, we are taught the 3 R's: reduce, reuse, and recycle. We reduce water and energy consumption, reuse materials until worn, and recycle paper and plastics. Fashion has never played an important role in following the 3 R's, so we introduce to you R4: the next dimension of fashion.

More than fashion

Although fashion being the epicentre, the evening is also about raising environmental awareness and advocating sustainability initiatives we can take to reduce our impact on the planet: making environmentally-friendly consumer decisions, supporting renewable energy, and practicing a sustainable lifestyle. An original production documentary screening, exclusively directed by Natalie Dodd, will examine the dynamics amid sustainable technology, fashion industry, and public policy.

R4 Fashion will not solely promote fashion or green decisions, rather a combination of the two, proving being environmentally friendly and stylish is simultaneously possible!

It is with pleasure to welcome key note speaker Aiden Abram, a Community Catalyst working on local and global youth empowerment on climate change, who will give an insight on what change is required. Read more...

Wizard behind the curtain     -    STEP, University of Waterloo

R4 Fashion is an initiative of the Sustainable Technology Education Project (STEP) at the University of Waterloo, a non-profit student organization that promotes sustainable design, technology, and lifestyle to the community.

From installing student designed solar arrays on campus buildings to hosting sustainability conferences, STEP hosts several events annually and strives to complete multiple projects on an on-going basis. STEP is also working towards a Solar Thermal Demonstration, an on-campus wind-turbine, and a Solar Decathlon.

Proceeds from the evening will go towards STEP in continuing its mission to promote sustainable design and raise environmental awareness to the community.

 STEP is part of the University of Waterloo Sustainability Project, a service under the Federation of Students of the University of Waterloo (FedS). FedS supports the student community to create an environment nurturing education and personal fulfillment. Moreover, it's main aim is to serve, empower, and represent the undergraduate students of the University of Waterloo.

With services such as the International Students Connection, The Womens Centre, and GLOW, the Federation of Students of the University of Waterloo is the perfect example of an organization with a vision of "a campus with diverse and numerable opportunities for pleasurable and meaningful life experiences". More on FedS here!