Environmentally-conscious creatives changing the game

There is no one way to have a sustainable practice in this industry. Whether it’s the materials used, the message communicated, the supply chain, the zero waste policy, the circularity or the activist stance, creatives from all backgrounds are finding new ways to be more ecological when making work. No matter what their discipline, the list below is a rundown of the exciting artists, designers and makers turning heads with creative ingenuity, all in the name of change. Circling from Marrakesh, Hangzhou, Barcelona, Leicester, Milan and London, these innovators are making the industry a little greener in their own unique way and along the way, advising fellow creatives with top tips on how we can follow suit.

What is one thing the creative industries can do to be more sustainable?

Ro Ledesma: As an illustrator, I think we should be more conscious of the kinds of materials we use in our everyday. It’s quite difficult because while I’m choosing to use biodegradable packaging for my shipments, for example, I’m also using a laptop to work, which is quite contradictory. But anyway, we should try to do everything in our hands, and take better decisions, no matter how small they are.

Susie Hammer: I think there is only one goal for all industries to achieve: circularity. Sounds super easy: reduce, reuse, produce less. We really need to give a new life to old things and re-love them. It’s very, very hard to achieve this for all but this is where creatives can help. Find a way to use what we already have, reimagine them. And of course, spreading awareness, sharing the knowledge in a digestible way is the best tool we have.

Mariah Esa

Fashion designer Mariah Esa is attempting to change the fashion industry from the inside with her environmentally-conscious designs. She stitches together thousands of discarded garment labels into luxury garments, a very vocal statement on the fashion industry which produces approximately 13 million tonnes of textile waste per year, 95 per cent of which could be repurposed. Based in Leicester, where the cutting edge fashion designer also grew up, innovation began early on when she would visit her parents’ garment factory and saw how much material was wasted firsthand. Mariah’s practice is not just about sustainability, however, she also weaves themes of cultural identity into the language of her garments. Imbued with her South Asian heritage, she draws on her experience as a young Muslim-Indian woman and importantly, designs her wares to make women feel empowered through the silhouette.

What is one thing the creative industries can do to be more sustainable?

Bethany Williams: It’s difficult to think of one particular thing because there are a number of different perspectives on what it means to be sustainable. This could refer to the origin of materials being used, it could be the process in which it is manufactured, it can relate to the welfare of the people involved in the process, and it can mean the aftercare/end of life of a product. If I had to narrow this down to one thing, I would suggest that the industry ensures they take into consideration every aspect of their creative process and ensure that each choice and decision takes their impact into consideration.