Please share your views on the social, environmental and ethical impacts the fashion industry has on the world?
S.M. SAJJAD HOSSAIN: SOCIAL IMPACT. I understand if there is any demand for particular product or if you can create any product line like ours, automatically supply will increase. That means fashion business depends on the people who are working from the behind. Be it producer, workforce, influencer, policy maker, designer, agency etc.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. We know that whole world is heading towards Eco-friendly working condition. It’s a talk of global height. Sustainable production process will help the positivity in climate change action throughout the fashion industry. Even our honorable Prime Minister is very much concerned about environmental impact while she delivered her speech in World Leaders’ Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change in Glasgow, Scotland on November 1, 2021.
ETHICAL IMPACT. For ethical apparel, I only understand to focus on homegrown raw material production primarily and sourcing sustainable accessories. Here are some ethical ideas that will impact fashion industry in near future. We should avoid plastic; we should use recycle materials, justify fair trade and use sustainable fabrics into the whole eco system of producing a garment for the future climate positivity.
What inspired you to start a sustainable fashion brand?
My father influenced me to work for sustainable industry after his death. He was a raw jute trader since 1965. My father was a successful jute trading businessman when I got to learn of his business activity. But I never got involved with his business even after my graduation in 1996 nor did I have any intention to engage myself. However, I always thought of involving myself in the domain of biodegradability or environmental friendly business. That’s how I started my own business MAYFAIR STYLEWEAR in 2013. The name MAYFAIR has been inspired from my father’s company name which was MAYFAIR & INTERNATIONAL CO. LTD. And STYLEWEAR has been inspired when my late father thought about the expansion of Jute Trading House to Garments Manufacturer in late 80s. In reality, it didn’t happen due to other business priority. But my father’s ideology always inspired me to do something in the sustainable sphere.
Do you think the future of apparel is sustainable? Why? Why not?
Without being sustainable in the apparel industry, our planet will lose its circularity or balance. I can mention of a global campaign called “RACE TO ZERO” that rallies leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth. So, there is no WHY NOT scenario for the word sustainability.
As a 3rd generation jute business how MAYFAIR STYLEWEAR is working on diversifying the Jute industry?
MAYFAIR STYLEWEAR has already launched the luxury of premium fashionable RMG product in the local market. We have no physical outlet but we give service to the customers by attending them in their office or home address. We are working on a niche segment of customers. Also we are exploring the export market with jute based RMG product with European and North American buyer base. Response in local market is very promising due to INNOVATION and SUSTAINABILITY factors.
As a sustainable future, we have some responsibilities to raise our hand. I always tell people to promote jute sector through 3rd generation jute business as diversification because it will be the future jute business. By promoting the sector, our country will earn more foreign currency by resurrecting the industry again & create more employment for the nation.
What’s the most challenging aspect of running a sustainable business?
Let me explain the challenge of sustainable business by giving an example. On 13 January 2022, I was only Bangladeshi company invited in a virtual conference that took place in Frankfurt, Germany on Natural Fibers Initiative. It is a platform for the community who works with natural fibers where they exchange of knowledge and experience among members across the globe. From that virtual forum, I learnt about sustainability business means not only producing a product which is organic or sustainable but also to incorporate sustainable accessories in to the whole eco system of producing those goods. European Union is the pioneer by rolling the campaign called “MAKE THE LABEL COUNT” where they bring together an international coalition of organizations who want to ensure clothing sustainability claims credible.
In your opinion how strong is consumer commitment to sustainable brands?
Consumer always wants different things in their fashionable lifestyle. Let me share an inspiring update. There are many global garment brands started using sustainable cotton for their product line. Jute yarn is one of the sustainable cottons for the RMG out of much sustainable cotton. The brands like H&M, Levi’s, Zara, The North Face, Nike, Reebok have already pledged to use 100% sustainable cotton by 2025.
What message would you want to share for the future generations?
Innovation and sustainability putting together in the fashion industry, we can create creative movement with young generation. Our innovation of Jute Blazer has really caught the eyeballs of thousands in Dubai Expo2020. And then we can think of potential partnership that comes with same values. It gives me a lots of hope. Local young fashion designers should come forward to embrace this creative movement. It will truly have an impact. Being an optimistic jute entrepreneur, I’m just one of those small players that can create sustainable hope for millions of people out there. I inspire my next generation as well. That’s the driving force of my life now where my mind, body and soul are sustaining together.
