PSLifestyle – Sustainable Fashion: How to Balance Tradition and Modernity?
On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the City Museum of Ljubljana hosted a roundtable discussion titled Between Patagonia and Local Fashion Workshops: Is the Way Forward a Step Back? (Med Patagonio in lokalnimi modnimi delavnicami. Je pot naprej korak nazaj?).
The event, which explored sustainable practices in fashion, attracted many visitors eager for answers to how fashion, as a reflection of society and culture, can become more environmentally and socially responsible.
Photo: Taja Harris
The event occurred as part of the exhibition From Corset to Jacket , which sheds light on Ljubljana’s fashion history. The exhibition takes visitors into the world of skilled tailors and milliners, where local craft workshops and thoughtful fashion choices prevailed. This rich cultural heritage was connected at the roundtable with modern issues such as the circular economy, responsible consumption, and sustainable fashion.
The roundtable brought together three experts, each offering a unique perspective:
Mihela Hladin Wolfe, former leader of environmental and social initiatives at Patagonia, shared her experiences on how global companies are changing their practices to reduce environmental impacts.
Ana Kure, a cultural heritage expert and program coordinator for the exhibition, highlighted the importance of preserving local traditions and their connection to today’s sustainability goals.
Mag. Ladeja Godina Košir, a cochair of the European Circular Economy Platform and founder of Circular Change, moderated the discussion, focusing on the key challenges of transitioning to a circular economy.
The discussion highlighted several key themes:
Photo: Taja Harris
Responsible Consumers: The need to reduce fast fashion consumption and encourage the purchase of high-quality, sustainable items.
Circular Economy in Practice: Incorporating recycling, clothing swaps, and repairs as ways to extend product lifespans.
Connecting Tradition and Modernity: Local craftsmanship and fashion designers can serve as inspiration for more sustainable practices that draw from the past.
Mihela Hladin Wolfe particularly emphasized the importance of companies actively implementing systemic changes rather than mere cosmetic improvements. In her view, consumers play a crucial role in driving industry change through their choices and demand.
The event didn’t stay only on a theoretical level. As part of the Open House Day, participants could participate in a clothing swap, offering a practical example of the circular economy in action.
Photo: Taja Harris
Additionally, visitors received tips on how to reduce their environmental impact through simple changes in habits while maintaining personal style.
The roundtable demonstrated that sustainability in fashion is not merely a trend but a necessity requiring the cooperation of the entire society. By connecting tradition, local practices, and global solutions, we can create a future that benefits individuals, the environment, and society as a whole.
The event, organized with the support of the Municipality of Ljubljana, was a clear demonstration that collaboration between cultural institutions, NGOs, and businesses can promote sustainable practices and raise public awareness. It opens a new chapter in the discussion of how fashion can become an ally of sustainability—both locally and globally.
Translated and adapted from T. Zagorsek
PS: The event was also a great opportunity for visitors to calculate their carbon footprint by using PSL tool developed within PSLifestyle Project. Missed it? Calculate your carbon footprint here.