Fashion Futures Live: Saudi Arabia’s Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud Stresses The Importance of Slow Fashion
“One of the things that really breaks my heart is when I see people operate in isolation. When we collaborate we have collective good, and we can pay it forward and we can learn from each other…”
HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador in the United States, spoke on Thursday evening to an audience of virtual guests at Fashion Futures Live, touching on important topics surrounding this year’s theme: Future of Fashion Directed Towards Sustainability, Diversity and Innovation.
The virtual forum hosted some of the most inspiring experts from all over the world, along with a number of influential leaders, who spoke about the topic of sustainability, presenting their experiences and practical solutions to reduce pollution within the industry – including the likes of designer Rebecca Minkoff and Susan Rockefeller, President and Trustee of Oceana, a non-profit organisation for the protection of marine life.
Princess Reema noted that it is indeed the time for creativity in Saudi Arabia. “We have no historic fashion industry in the sense that is entrenched in the way that it is in other countries, so the question we have to pose for ourselves is where are we going to start? Could we start with a positive foot that could be a role model for others,” she said in her discussion.
“It is important to look at the manufacturing of products, we have to be gentler and kinder to those working in the industry, their quality of life is impacted by our constant need for new products,” stated Princess Reema on the topic of slow fashion and the importance of reducing consumption.
“I think if we bring back empathy into the world of fashion manufacturing and creating, empower the creator and slow down our consumption, the whole value chain will be a better, cleaner and kinder ecosystem,” she added.
Susan Rockefeller stressed that the plastic recycled is only 9% of plastic production globally, yet plastic continues to be manufactured around the world. She called on the major companies to start providing environmentally friendly options and packaging and manufacturing their products in an ecofriendly manner.
“One of the things that really breaks my heart is when I see people operate in isolation. When we collaborate we have collective good, and we can pay it forward and we can learn from each other…” she said.
Watch Fashion Futures Live here.
Lead image supplied.