Associate Dean of Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Dr. Marshall Shepherd interviewed Franklin College alumna, Lamar Dodd School of Art board member, CEO, and author of the book The Guide to Luxury Modular Fashion, Pamela James. James's fashion company Paloma St. James champions modular clothing design as a sustainable alternative to the prevailing market trend of fast fashion.

James joined the Lamar Dodd School of Art Board of Advisors in 2022 as a steadfast advocate of innovative technologies, sustainable practices, and community and business connections that benefit students, faculty, and alumni.

Read an excerpt of “Can Modularity Solve The Fast Fashion Sustainability Problem?” below.

Environmental sustainability is increasingly critical. It permeates many sectors of society. An increasingly unexpected place is the world of fashion. Clothing production and associated textile industries are no strangers to environmental impacts. The concept of modularity has emerged, and the CEO of Paloma St. James is here for it. Here’s an extensive discussion with Pamela James, and why she believes modularity is the solution for the fashion sustainability problem.

The Fashion Industry And Environmental Impacts

Before diving into the world of modularity, let’s establish some context. According to Katie Curtis-Smith, “fast fashion” has led to a doubling of clothing production in recent decades. What’s that? I am a climate scientist, but my understanding is that it is rooted in low-cost production, short-lived clothing, and cheap prices. According to Curtis-Smith, the trend exploded in the 1990s and has been accelerated by social media platforms, influencers, and easy access. Curtis-Smith went on to say at the Oceangeneration.org website, “Between 2000 and 2015, clothing production doubled from ~50 billion units to over 100 billion units. This trend is driven by an increasing middle-class population globally and rising per capita sales in mature economies.”

Production of clothing, like many industrial activities, have significant impacts on the environment. Such impacts include water consumption and chemical contamination. According to recent studies, the textile industry accounts for about ten percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. A study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that the fashion industry could produce roughly one-fourth of the global carbon budget by 2050. Here is where Paloma St. James comes in.

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What Is The Modularity Concept?
Pamela Morris James: “Sustainability is doing more with less. I translate this into the business by working with what we have and finding opportunities in challenges. At Paloma St. James, this philosophy has shaped everything we do. Every setback we’ve faced has been a chance to innovate, and that’s how we've embraced modularity. It’s about doing more with less—creating more thoughtful, more versatile designs that make a real impact. Take our seasonal collections, for instance. We’ve chosen to produce only eight core pieces per season, but each one can be styled endlessly to suit your personal preferences.”

James says that by offering fewer, more purposeful options, her company reduces manufacturing demands, lowers waste, and gives customers the freedom to express themselves without contributing to overconsumption.

Why Is Modularity Good For the Environment?
Pamela Morris James: “ Sustainability isn’t just a business decision for us. It’s a commitment to do better. For the planet, for our customers and for the future of fashion. The world is shaped by those willing to make bold choices. Modularity is a bold choice in a fast-fashion environment driven by overproduction and overconsumption. It’s a bold choice that encourages us to step away from the cycle of excess and embrace something more intentional. Modularity is one of the most intelligent design tools we have for sustainability.”

Proponents of modularity, like James, argue that modularity maximizes potential while “contributing to a future where less is more.”

Find the full article at Forbes.com