The 70’s was the most politically active decade

This is the third article who I try to focus finding the original environmentalists from the beginning of time and up to the 70’s.

In the 70’s a large part of the established society looked upon the radicals a more politically active century as lazy criminals, but in fact, they did the dirty job than somebody else would have to do today or tomorrow when it is too late. Who knows? However, today the statuses of the radicals are different.

What was the 70’s radical fashion style?

In search for their style look, codex of favorite clothes and fashion; anorak, shoes, pants, tees, facial hair, music and art. First, a dive into the scenes behind the main story and find the ancient environmentalists, Hindus, Buddhists, peace lovers and philosopher’s trough time.

Gandhi the greatest environmentalist of modern times

Part three of Original Environmentalists from the 70′s Environmentalist is a about a small man with a simple spinning wheel Charkha  who conquered the British Empire. The spinning wheel is a symbol of nonviolent protest. Gandhi used the spinning wheel to boycott Britain and show how they could make cotton and not buy from them. However, by nonviolence philosophy India won back a continent so vast and with so many different languages, Kings and queens that it would be not even be possible to do if it today unless there was an extraordinary man, Gandhi. We have selected the right book for you Gandhi the Man: How One Man Changed Himself to Change the World: The Story of His Transformation

Why do we talk so much about the environment on Buddha jeans?

You might wonder why a designer who makes jeans talk mostly about The Environment. First fashion design, it is a dirty business making clothes and in particular denim jeans. A dirty and sometimes most unnecessary processes as well is used. I talk about it because we are in the most threatening of all times if the human race is about to survive and even the fashion business must take their share of responsibility.

The fashion business got some of the most creative heads in the world to challenge consumers demand for sustainable, longer lasting and environmental friendly garments 

the fashion business got some of the most creative and talented design heads in design business and therefore sustainable fashion design will challenge designer, fabric engineer and factories to work with fabrics never been used in production before, recycled or sometimes fabrics of something totally different that planned for due to shortage of the right fabrics. This will surly change the ethics of design. I am sure we will see much more styles who are not connected to any trend and not the trend of an Eco conscious new consumer.

Reduce use of energy level in production and gain the highest possible quality jeans

I started working with a sustainable approach to design in the end of the 90’s, with promoting a sustainable product design philosophy, reducing the carbon footprint and prolong the lifetime of the jeans was the main object. It is possible to make denim jeans last least 3 times as long as today. Reduce damage to environment by less washing, use of new fabrics and production method is essential. This can happen without losing the coolness factor of a fashion garment. Denim jeans will never go out of style.

Gandhi’s concern about the environment

  Air, water and grains
Open air. Vital for life and precious because we cannot stay long alive without it, concerned about the factory workers and their working environment. Air, water, and grains are the three chief kinds of food. Air is free to all, but, if polluted, it harms our health.
1. air
2. Water
3. Earth

Air first, then if the water get polluted and he was thinking of the mighty Ganges river. Then the pilgrims who stay in the water  would be sick and then turn out in massive diseases. This will harm The Dharma.  Of compassion and disregard their duty to the society this we destroy The Dharma.

The nature and a return to live in nature become of the importance, to live outside and in harmony with the nature can bring healing of the polluted mind as well makes you cure for diseases from bad air and water conditions. To make the poor move out of the big cities to experience the health from living in good air, water and with enough food. Earth, water, air are the cure for all nation and religions.

Gandhi followed, understood and practices his wisdom

The series of the world’s greatest environmentalist one cannot pass Gandhi even he was mostly known as a pacifist and his no violence philosophy and direct actions. His great value based upon strictly follow old Hindu sets of value that stated in the Vedas. Moreover, he did not only read them, he understood and most of all practiced. Hinduism and Indian classic language Sanskrit and Theravada Buddhism  Pali  are the oldest religious text we know of. Written almost 8000 years ago. In a few of the stories especially in keeping the forest and the trees protected stated with great wisdom and are among the first signs of protection of the nature in these text.

You have act upon speech and practice what said

The Buddha was the one that practically by learning the hard way found out that go to the extreme in one direction or the other will not give you the inner peace necessary to find happiness.  The Middle Way  Buddha stated was the only way to feel balance and mentally well. Gandhi understood that if a world share the common treasures it will be enough for all, but if the greed continued people would starve. He realized if the same thing happened in India it would be hunger. It was Gandhi who by his practice and speeches said if India was to become as techno savvy and rise to their standard it would simply not be enough natural resources to have the same lifestyle.

Gandhi view on the over-consumerism he saw in London made him a true Ad Buster

 Gandhi saw how fast fortune made people even greedily.  He understood early on that if the things he saw in London with the industrial revolution would make technology become a tool to make fortunes fast and this greed would punish the workers to work longer, companies to steal from global recourses and that the important spiritual part of life would be suffering. The world is not in balance.   His view upon the over-consumerism Gandhi saw in London made him probably the first member of Ad Busters, a true culture jammer and it that sense Gandhi stated an early anti consumerist culture. He said in a letter that was sent from London about a future where the biggest problem was where to store all waste

Imagine John Galliano and Gandhi at a fashion show

If I try to imagine Gandhi at a modern fashion show today standing and making applause for every new outfit he saw, the man with the round glasses would not look mad but there would still be a big smile even if he were angry. The over consumerism and waste he already knew this would happen. However, he would cherish the creativity. Gandhi wore and designed a minimalist style. Gandhi wore simple clothes that conveyed his message. The practical to weary our own cloth and make your own clothes was both political and a nonviolence boycott. Gandhi realized if all Indians made simple clothes instead of buying it from the textile industry in England the losses ad damage would be unbearable.

Gandhi’s words and quotes are brilliant

His celebrated and often quoted statement that, the Earth has enough to satisfy the need of all the people, but not for satisfying the greed of some, has become astonishingly relevant in 1990’s. He distinguished between need and want of the human being.

Future generations will have nothing left

Gandhi also emphasized to keep in view, the Future Generations before using up natural resources by the present generation. Kamala Chowdhary has found reflection of Gandhi’s ideas related to the environment in the  Agenda 21 fashioned by the largest ever number of the nations of the world at the Earth Summit at Rio-de-Janeiro in 1992. The work in 1992 led by Gro Bruntland was good work but stated just what Gandhi, Einstein and others said a long time ago.

The research for 2000 – 2005  mega trends ,Levi Strauss  Europe Middle East & Africa , the message was clear

In 2000, as the Trend Specialist, Levi Strauss Europe, Middle East &  Africa I presented and stated the following in a meeting where Country Managers from Levi Strauss Co all over Europe attended; it will come  a reaction on global brands and companies exploitation of common global resources. This will force every company to make necessary actions about design, product ethics and greater social responsibility ahead to.  Presentation evolved from 2000. Sustainable product design and the issue on how can fashion be sustainable, when fashion means fast?  Inspired by work  and design done by Stuart Walker who is a  in the end of the 90′s. Read my post based on Stuart Walkers work. Fashion and sustainability often assumed to be in opposition, does it attract?

The book by Stuart Walker The Spirit of Design: Objects, Environment and Meaning

Green thinking getting a better grip

A  dandy seen around the IN places

Gandhi understood both Western and Eastern culture, socialized in the Indian cultural tradition and was one of the few who had the knowledge and the advantage of knowing both cultures, the India and the West. Gandhi was a dandy young man in London and frequented the IN places where the London crowd often where. For a time he was also the leader of  The London Vegetarian Society 
Gandhi did see that both worlds has its ups and downs just exactly the same Dalai Lama said in 1998 when he got the Nobel peace prize. In His speeches Dalai Lama talked about inner peace and that, it can only be achieved by a life in balance. Technology alone will not bring happiness to India Gandhi understood clearly that technology would not bring happiness to India only. Technology only is not the solution to a good life and if an approach as in England would progress at the same level in India, it would have been on a catastrophic level. Nature could be able to produce a consumer culture as in UK if India should become on the same level of lifestyle then.

Gandhi practice what he said

He had seen in London as well how badly infected the suit can be damaging and to keep things clean does not only keep away deadly viruses, bacteria and so on away but also to make sure the surroundings were clean. One of his tests to choose an intimate in his Ashram test in choosing his inmate in Ashram he or she cleansed his own toilet.

Gandhi on non-violence

Gandhi also emphasized non-violence, as in the other field, with nature as well. All native people have the same approach to the nature of the oldest known native The Aboriginals in Australia, Indians in North America and Mayas in Central Latin America states that land cannot be owned. It belongs to everybody and you take out just as much as needed from the world’s fridge. Only as much-needed

Gandhi’s non violence philosophy forced the English people to give the Indians their freedom

In addition, Gandhi as well, the most powerful living being on the earth should not cause violence to sentient beings including the plants and animals. This was his meaning of ecological balance and peace

Gandhi life line

1869 – Born on 2 October in Porbandar, Gujarat, India

1883 - Gandhi married Kasturba Makhanji after his parents arranged the marriage.

1888 – Went to University College London to train as a barrister and his first child Harilal Gandhi was born.

1892 – His wife gave birth to Manilal Gandhi, his second child.

1894 – He founded the Natal Indian Congress with him as the secretary.

1897 – His son Ramdas Gandhi was born.

1900 – Their fourth child was born and named Devdas Gandhi.

1915 – Gandhi founded an ashram on the outskirt Satyagrah Ashram.

1916 – He supported the British Power during World War I.

1921 – Gandhi invested with executive authority on behalf of the Indian National Congress in December.

1939 – Nazi Germany invaded Poland and Gandhi had favored offering  non-violent moral support to the British effort.

1948 – 30 January assassinated in Birlaouse, New Delhi

Written by Kenneth Lyngaas @ Buddha jeans

Dictionary and sources

Satyagraha  loosely translated as Insistence on truth, from Sanskrit, satya truth; Agraha Insistence of the soul force is a particular philosophy and practice.

Vedas – Most ancient Hindu scriptures, composed of hymns to various deities. There are four collections of theses hymns, known as Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and Ayurveda Charkha Spinning wheel

Adbusters - http://www.adbusters.org/

 Levi Strauss Co - http://www.levistrauss.com/

John Galliano - http://www.johngalliano.com/

The London Vegetarian society -http://www.vegsoc.org/

Nobel peace prize – Dalai Lama, prize winner in 1989 –  http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/

 Sustainable fashion design by Fashion and sustainability often assumed to be in opposition, does it attract? –    

Recommended books by Kenneth @ buddha jeans on Gandhi

If you can afford this master piece of work about an remarkable man Gandhi