Environmental responsibility in fashion: Analysis of advertising codes and valorization


DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15728720Keywords:
Semiotic, sustainable fashion, valorization, advertising codes, brand identityAbstract
The marked by profound social and cultural shifts postmodern era, has necessitated a reevaluation of societal relationships with technology, nature, and global systems of production and consumption. Within this framework, the fashion industry, often associated with overconsumption and environmental degradation, has become a focal point for discussions on sustainability and environmental responsibility. This paper explores how contemporary socially engaged fashion brands integrate sustainability and innovation into their production processes and communication strategies. Grounded in theoretical perspectives such as Jean-Marie Floch’s semiotic model and Laura Oswald’s theory of brand meaning, the research examines how these brands challenge traditional consumer attitudes and redefine cultural perceptions of fashion. Through a detailed analysis, the paper highlights the personalized, postmodern approaches adopted by leading brands to reconcile environmental responsibility with consumer engagement, providing critical insights into the evolving relationship between fashion, culture, and sustainability.
References
Bankov, K. (n.d.). (2019). Legendary Brands and Economic Value. A Semiotic Approach. The American Journal of Semiotics. Volume 34, Issue 3/4, 2018, p. 273-291. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.5840/ajs201913142
Barbour. (2022, November 1). One of a kind-ness. Barbour Christmas advert 2022 [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fodQxNOf8U0
Barbour. (2022). Men’s countrywear | Barbour AW22 [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjIKEnY4CVI
Barbour. (2022). Women’s countrywear | Barbour SS22 [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFrxwNgeBhk
Barbour. (n.d.). Barbour corporate social responsibility. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.barbour.com/corporate-social-responsibility
Calefato, P. (2021). Fashion as cultural translation: Signs, images, narratives. Anthem Press.
Design Stripe. (n.d.). Patagonia: A purpose-driven brand built on action. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://designstripe.com/blog/patagonias-brand-impact
Earth.org. (n.d.). 10 concerning fast fashion waste statistics. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://earth.org/statistics-about-fast-fashion-waste/
Ecoalf. (2022, May 8). Ecoalf 日本限定【ACT】-ジャパン・リミテッドコレクション- [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Luo59AhVsgs
Ecoalf. (2024, January 15). Ecoalf manifesto [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nJjeN2pX8A
Ecoalf. (2024). Unfashionable [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BapdfqBFw8Y
Ecoalf. (n.d.). Historia. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://ecoalf.com/en/pages/historia
Ecoalf. (n.d.). Materiales. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://ecoalf.com/en/pages/materiales
European Environment Agency. (n.d.). Circular business models and smarter design can reduce environment and climate impacts from textiles. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/circular-business-models-and-smarter
Floch, J.-M. (2001). Semiotics, marketing, and communication: Beneath the signs, the strategies. Palgrave.
Glamour & Guide. (n.d.). The power of Patagonia: Working towards a greener Earth, sustainability, activism & more. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://glamourandguide.com/2022/09/24/the-power-of-patagonia-working-towards-a-greener-earth-sustainability-activism-more
Goop by Ecoalf. (2022). Limited edition capsule collection [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1niWlpX05U
Oswald, L. (2015). Creating value: The theory and practice of marketing semiotics research. Oxford University Press.
Patagonia. (2011, November 25). Don’t buy this jacket: Black Friday and The New York Times. Retrieved April 9, 2025, from https://eu.patagonia.com/bg/en/stories/dont-buy-this-jacket-black-friday-and-the-new-york-times/story-18615.html
Patagonia. (2022). [Post]. X. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://x.com/patagonia/status/1606338883289059334
Ritzer, G. (2008). The McDonaldization of society. Pine Forge Press.
The North Face. (2021, October 13). The North Face presents Groundwork: A family journey into regenerative cotton [Video]. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLsDx6n1I2U
The North Face. (2021). Have you ever? | The North Face commercial [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgM4jfii4B8
The North Face. (2022). It's more than a jacket | The North Face [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9hJNGpSJIU
The North Face. (2022, November 10). Discover your trail [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbD_Pxv4MEw
The North Face. (n.d.). Our commitments. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/sustainability
Trails & Freedom. (n.d.). The North Face vs Patagonia: Which is better? Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://trailsandfreedom.com/the-north-face-vs-patagonia/#patagonia
UN Environment Programme. (n.d.). Putting the brakes on fast fashion. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/putting-brakes-fast-fashion
Unlock Wilderness. (n.d.). Barbour vs North Face. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.unlockwilderness.com/blog/barbour-vs-north-face
Veblen, T. (1934). The theory of the leisure class. The Modern Library.
Vivienne Westwood. (2008). Vivienne Westwood’s letter to the Earth [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFDFqyraZmU
Vivienne Westwood. (n.d.). Remaining waste. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.viviennewestwood.com/en-gb/sustainability/reimagining-waste/
Vivienne Westwood. (n.d.). Vivienne Westwood. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.viviennewestwood.com/en
Трендафилов, Д. (2012). Търговската марка в семиотична перспектива. Икономически и социални алтернативи, (4), 146–153.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 TAMGA-Turkish Journal of Semiotic Studies

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.