Introduction to The Palgrave Handbook of Sustainability in Fashion

Sustainability is not a new phenomenon but was introduced as early as the 1980s when the Brundtland Commission outlined that resources need to be used in a more conscious manner in order for current and future generations alike being able to meet their needs (WCED 1987). Since then, the importance of sustainability has accelerated and been named as a top global priority (Mittelstaedt et al. 2014). Whilst the Brundtland Commission’s definition of sustainability has been criticised for being vague, as future generations’ needs cannot be predicted easily due to a growing population and also increased use of technology (Diesendorf 2000), it provides food for thought and invites reflection upon how we are currently dealing with our environment. Elkington (2004) coined the term Triple Bottom Line thereby defining sustainability alongside three aspects: environmental, social, and economic. Within the literature this has been taken on board, with a majority of research focusing either on environmental or social angles of sustainability, taking the economic one almost for granted.