Define Traceable

Lauren Breuer
De Trae'Ble

I don’t know about you guys, but hearing the word “traceabiliy” has me not only confused, but tired. Why do we always over play words, but not actually know what they mean? Lol. It’s funny, yet stupid. We yearn for the knowledge of things, but honestly we don’t care enough to go further to research or understand it. It’s interesting. 

Anyways, defining traceability shouldn’t be as hard as the world has made it. I went to school for production, to specifically know and be able to trace a garment from start to finish. This was now four years ago. There was no new technology at the time that I knew about, until I found Blockchain. 

ETHICALLY EXPOSED

Let’s take it one step at a time though. Traceability is not defined as a sticker, or label or symbol. Anyone can say something is “organic” and not show proof of it. Taceabililty of a garment, for example, is being able to know where the farm and farmer is that grew the fiber, that made the yarn, all the way through the manufacturing process, to the shelf. This is not only time consuming, but there is a level of trust that must be met as well.

As someone who is skeptical of everything I purchase, it is hard for me to believe a lot of what I read on labels and hear in the news. I know that the world is driven by money, and that is how we function as a society, and it’s not that aspect that I want to change… it’s the knowledge factor that I want to level up. I want consumers to have disposable knowledge at the tip of their fingers. I don’t want them to have to Google something to find the answer, because not only is that time consuming as well, it becomes a game of truth. Which link has the valid proof, stake, etc.? How do you know what to believe and what to disregard? 

I honestly approached this sector a long time ago regarding the well being and treatment of animals. But I soon realized, that a lot of people don’t care. They care about themselves, and you know what?  That’s A-OK, so translating traceability into a beneficial attribute for them is where I struggle a bit. Being able to know exactly where something came from is so special, and could be personally beneficial

because it allows you to decide for yourself where you want to see things made, sourced, etc. You as the customer hold the power and hold the proof behind the words. 

In my mind, I wonder, “Why wouldn’t someone want to know where their products were made, who was involved, and the tests conducted?” But once again, the answer is, if it doesn’t effect someone directly, it honestly doesn’t seem to effect them at all. Meanwhile a whole line of people or animals are effected by a materialistic decision we make in our day to day lives. When people don’t see the impact, it is hard to make them care. 

But, as a question to you… What would make you care about the lifecycle of your leather jacket? What would incline you to learn more about your impact of purchase? 

What if I told you that the chemicals used to manufacture almost all clothing is harmful to your body? Would you care then? 

Coming from a production background, I have insight into the fashion industry and can tell you that there are so many chemicals that go into the manufacturing of your clothing. Regardless if it is a natural fiber, “organic” cotton, etc., no fiber is soft and machine washable right after it is picked from the ground. The same goes for leather. People have the misconception that leather is more “sustainable” (another word I can’t stand) versus synthetic leather because it “decomposes…”

Well, I hate to break it to you sister, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Skin is a component from the body that rots naturally. You would not be able to wear it if it wasn’t chemically finished, tanned, dyed, etc. So yeah, although it is a “natural” part of the body, it would rot in a days time if it wasn’t processed, and all of those chemical components keep the product from decomposing. 

At least with cotton, hemp, linen, etc., it wouldn’t cause diseases to you or rot once it’s picked. 

There is a whole line of processes that are vital for the production of garments, and being traceable means being transparent about all of those stages. 

So, the next time you hear the word “traceability” I honestly just want you to remember that traceability is super new, and brands are trying to make it seem like it’s not, and that it’s easily achievable. It’s not. The world has put up so many barriers for privacy to protect either the cruel practices, or the unhealthy ones simply because money is the priority. This is possible, but in order to make it mainstream, myself and companies alike need your support.

Just challenge your knowledge and be curious, that is all I ask. 🙂 Thank you.

Love always, 

Lauren Breuer