The world of fashion is under pressure. Sales have slowed in recent years. People are spending less on clothes due to inflation and economic uncertainty. 

People are also rethinking how they support an industry with many issues. The ugly reality is that the fashion industry has devastated our environment. That, coupled with exploitative working conditions in manufacturing, have buyers reconsidering both what they buy and where they are buying clothes from. 

In Detroit this week, many designers and manufacturers will gather for Detroit Fashion United. The local initiative is part of a global movement that promotes sustainable fashion as the solution to environmental and workplace harms. It promotes more organic materials, fair wages and quality clothing items that last. 

Today on The Metro, we explored how sustainable fashion is helping to address these problems and Detroit’s potential to be the next fashion hub.

Paulina Petkoski, a College for Creative Studies professor, designer and advocate for sustainable fashion practices; and Jen Guarino, president and CEO of The Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center, joined the conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.