From Clothing Rations to Fast Fashion: Utilising Regenerated Protein Fibres to Alleviate Pressures on Mass Production

Sustainable methods of practice within the fashion and textile industry (FTI) often strive to employ a circular economy that aims eliminate waste through continual use resources. Complex problems such as waste, consumption, overproduction are heavily intertwined; main aim this paper is report on research focused re-examining potential food streams commercially viable source raw materials for FTI. Herein, regenerated protein fibres (RPFs) from production rich in have been chosen topic focus. RPFs relevant history local manufacturing perspective during wartime post-war clothing rationing (1941–1949) UK. were used meet civilian needs wool-based textiles part wider series ‘make do mend’ strategies designed manage consumption new products. However, demonstrated inferior quality terms durability when compared textiles, significant contributing factor consequent commercial phasing out RPFs. In today’s take–make–waste model, FTI landscape can be defined by speed, slow (high-quality construction, long-lasting products) fast (seasonal, disposable, low-quality construction), latter infamous dire environmental impacts. A key objective review association longevity context which lifecycle analysis holistically matched textile, garment, or product reduce across supply chain.