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Greenwashed Glamour: The Beauty and Cost of ‘Rainforest Chic’
- Georgina Orford
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
The fashion industry is known for frequently drawing inspiration from nature, with the rainforest serving as one of its most vivid muses. Designers often channel the rich landscapes and vibrant colours of these ecosystems into their collections. While these tributes celebrate the significance and beauty of rainforests, they must also acknowledge the fashion industry’s destructive impact on their survival.
When fashion designers seek to encapsulate the essence of the rainforest, it is necessary that they first understand these defining characteristics. A rainforest is a dense, tropical forest characterised by high rainfall and a multi-layered ecosystem. Unlike other forests, rainforests feature a thick canopy of mountainous trees that filter sunlight, creating a humid, shadowed understory where unique flora and fauna thrive (Mashpilodge.com).
In recent years, a notable and striking rainforest-inspired collection was Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2018, designed by Karl Lagerfeld. Hosted at Paris’ Grand Palais, the show featured a dramatic set including running waterfalls and artificial rugged cliffs, transporting the attendees into an immersive jungle fantasy (Wonderland magazine). The collection included fogged up, synthetic vinyl, and transparent thigh-high boots that mirrored the dewy rainforest atmosphere. As expected from Chanel, the inclusion of tweed comes as no surprise, but this was reimagined in blue hues reminiscent of rushing water.
More recently, celebrated designer Yutee Rone unveiled her awaited Spring/Summer 2025 ‘Tropical Rainforest’ collection. This line merges nature, creativity, and sustainability, highlighting emerging talent within Nigeria’s fashion ecosystem (Bellanaija.com). Rone’s collection featured flowing fabrics, various shades of green, and intricate prints, celebrating the vibrancy of the rainforest while incorporating sustainable materials to mitigate the industry’s environmental footprint.
The aesthetics of rainforests have influenced common apparel in addition to high fashion. In an effort to honour nature, high-street retailers often use earthy hues, tropical designs, and accessories made of or resembling wood, seeds, and recycled metals. However, sustainability issues are brought up by its broad adoption. Major retailers, such as Zara and H&M, have been linked to deforestation due to their reliance on unsustainable reproduction methods (Newsbytesapp.com).
The fashion industry’s impact on rainforests is deeply alarming. Over 200 million trees are cut down annually for the manufacturing of textiles, leading to biodiversity loss and disrupting climate regulation, as trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide (Earthday.org). The Amazon, New Guinea, and the Eastern Australian Temperate Forests are particularly vulnerable. Numerous of these trees are processed with chemicals, dissolved into wood pulp, and made into cellulosic fabric like viscose, rayon, and modal. Moreover, many major fashion houses are accelerating the deforestation in the Amazon for cattle ranching, which aids the production of their leather products.
The dialogue surrounding this ethical case has become more commonplace, with some luxury brands taking steps toward ethical responsibility. In 2018, Vivienne Westwood and Riccardo Tisci of Burberry collaborated for a show which supported Cool Earth, a UK-based non-profit dedicated to rainforest conservation. The line included four customized items that were auctioned to raise further support for the cause (Burberryplc.com).
Rainforest-inspired fashion represents not only an artistic homage, but also serves as a clear reminder of the industry’s ecological responsibilities, which will be reflected in LINE's 2025 Fashion Show, 'Echoes of the Universe'. It is crucial that designers adhere to sustainable practices, even as they continue to find inspiration in these ecosystems. By prioritising ethical sourcing, lowering reliance on materials linked to deforestation, and supporting conservation initiatives, the fashion world can ensure that its love affair with the rainforest remains an act of celebration rather than devastation.
Sources
Image credits:
https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2017/10/03/pfw-chanel-ss18/
https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2017/10/03/pfw-chanel-ss18/
Sources:
https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2017/10/03/pfw-chanel-ss18/
https://www.mashpilodge.com/blog/nature/jungle-and-rainforest/
https://www.bellanaija.com/2024/12/yutee-rone-tropical-rainforest-collection/
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/lifestyle/embracing-rainforest-inspired-fashion/story
https://www.earthday.org/fast-fashion-and-its-devastating-impacts-on-forests-revealed/
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