Discovering Sustainability: My Eye-Opening Textile Trip

As a fashion design student, understanding textiles is crucial. We're the ones who can transform these materials into something good or bad. It's well known that fashion has contributed significantly to landfill waste, and many companies are now seeking sustainable alternatives to address this issue.

Recently, I attended an exhibition in Indonesia called Inatex. This exhibition specializes in apparel, fabrics, non-woven materials, and home textiles. It was co-located with Indo Chem, Indo Texprint, Shoes & Leather, and Non-wovens Indonesia, showcasing a wide range of textiles from natural to blended materials.

This short trip to the textile industry was mind-opening. I got to see the real workings of the fashion industry and the many options available, from printing to dyeing methods, highlighting the industry's shift towards sustainability.

One stall demonstrated how they processed waste from glasses, nets, and bricks to create new materials for garments, which was surprisingly effective. Another stall showcased how they reprocessed cotton to be more eco-friendly.

However, this event was primarily meant for investors and established industry professionals, not for new or emerging designers or home-based tailors. Despite this, I gained valuable knowledge that will help me grow as a designer and contribute to more sustainable practices in my work.