Sustainability Pulse #106
Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring — January 24, 2025
This week, I've curated some of the most compelling updates from the fashion world, from the shocking realities behind "ethical" cotton production to the rise of sustainable trends shaping 2025. Dive into the stories, innovations, and even some drama (looking at you, Shein).
Whether you're here to learn, reflect, or find inspiration, there's something for everyone.
Let's keep pushing for a more sustainable future.
Enjoy reading.
'Ethical' Cotton Is Being Picked by Child Labourers in India, Watchdog Finds
A new report has linked businesses supplying companies, including Zara-owner Inditex, H&M Group, Gap Inc. and Amazon, to incidents of forced labour and debt bondage on Indian cotton farms.
10 sustainable fashion trends to watch in 2025
Here's how experts at fashion brands and advocacy groups expect tariffs, policies and material innovations will shape the industry in the year ahead.
Inside the growth of Net-a-Porter's sustainable fashion-focused Net Sustain
When Net-a-Porter launched Net Sustain, its sustainability-focused product category in 2019, it started with just 26 brands. Now, it features nearly 200 brands, with more to come in 2025, reflecting the demand for sustainable fashion among its luxury customers.
Tex Solution Consulting: Paving the way for sustainable fashion and innovation
In a candid discussion with Apparel Resources (AR), Mohammed Zakir Hossain, Chairman – Tex Solution Consulting Bangladesh Ltd., and Secretary General, BGBA shared their focus on product development, with further plans to add a lab testing facility, growing inclination on the denim segment and more.
SHEIN Achieves Milestone with Polyester Recycling Development
Dependency on plastics hinders progress toward alternatives. While any effort to reduce their impact deserves recognition, it's a small step in the right direction. It's uncertain if even small changes will lead to significant impacts in systemic issues with nonlinear dynamics.
Textile Waste Hits Feds' Radar and a Snapshot of a GAO Report on Textiles Recycling
A new GAO report delves into what's driving the spike in textile discards—one of the fastest growing streams for two decades now. The report describes the trend's environmental impact. Its authors explore federal government action to reduce textile waste and advance textile recycling, and they suggest ways agencies can take their work further.
Empowering Sustainable Futures: 15th Redress Design Award Opens For Entries
The Redress Design Award, the world's leading sustainable fashion design competition, announces the opening of its 2025 competition. Environmental fashion NGO Redress, together with Lead Sponsor the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, invites sustainably-minded designers with less than four years of professional experience to enter the prestigious competition from now until 14 March 2025.
'Eager to help' startup taking donations for LA fire victims — but rejects 'fast fashion' from Zara, H&M: 'Best pieces to help rebuild their lives!'
Pickle, a sustainable fashion brand, found itself in… a pickle… while collecting clothes to donate to victims of the LA fires — after it nixed donation of "fast fashion" brands like Zara and H&M.
The company has an app that allows people to rent clothes from other people's closets, and it also has a brick-and-mortar spot in the West Village. The whole idea is "driven by a desire to break free from the endless cycle of fast fashion," according to the website.
Ralph Lauren announces executive changes
Bob Ranftl has been promoted to chief operating officer, with a former Cartier exec succeeding him as regional CEO for North America.
Antavo Launches Industry's Most Comprehensive Global Customer Loyalty Report 2025: Loyalty, AI, Customisation and Rewards on the Rise
LONDON-Antavo, the AI-powered Loyalty Platform, announces today the launch of its Global Customer Loyalty Report 2025, the most comprehensive report in the market examining perspectives on the current landscape of customer loyalty programmes, upcoming trends and opportunities, including customer preferences, budget allocation and ROI benchmarks.
EP 228 WHAT'S GOING ON IN BANGLADESH? A MUST-LISTEN CONVO WITH FASHION MANUFACTURER SHAFIQ HASSAN
Saks Global Completes Acquisition of Neiman Marcus Group
Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman join Saks Global portfolio
New research projects fast-fashion market value will soar by billions — here's why consumers should beware
The report credits recent growth to rapid technological advancements, evolving consumer preferences, and e-commerce growth.
'Ridiculous and Disrespectful': British Lawmakers Blast Shein at Hearing
Less than 10 minutes into a British parliamentary hearing on Tuesday, during which a Shein representative equivocated on questions relating to the e-tail Goliath's supply chain and a potential public float, a visibly frustrated Member of Parliament made his feelings known in no uncertain terms.
Gen AI Platform for Fashion Creatives Raspberry AI Secures $24 Million in Series A Funding Round Led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)
Company Will Use New Funding to Accelerate Product Development and Add Top Engineering, Sales and Marketing Talent
Algolia Launches Intelligent Fashion Solution: Transforming the Art and Science of Fashion Retail E-commerce
SAN FRANCISCO-Algolia, the world's premier online fashion retail experts, today announced the availability of its Intelligent Fashion Solution, setting a new standard for fashion e-commerce. Designed to create seamless, personalized shopping experiences and to eliminate the biggest challenges for online fashion retailers, Algolia's latest innovation empowers fashion retailers to delight their customers, while boosting conversions like never before.
JAMEEL MOHAMMED RECEIVES THE TIFFANY & CO. X CFDA JEWELRY DESIGNER AWARD
Five ways fashion needs to step up on sustainability in 2025
Raising the bar beyond regulation, addressing growth and engaging suppliers in discussions about how to move forward are among priorities, experts say.
World's richest use up their fair share of 2025 carbon budget in 10 days
In 2025, natural disasters worsened by human-induced climate change are evident. A report from Oxfam GB emphasizes the link between climate change and social justice, noting that the negligence of some polluters has lasting consequences. The wildfires in Los Angeles remind us that even the wealthy, who produce more emissions, are not immune to climate disasters.
Première Vision NY Spotlights the 'Crisis of Stuff' and the Path to Circularity
According to a 2023 climate report from Yale University, about three-quarters of surveyed Americans think global warming is happening. Yet only 20 percent understand how the greenhouse gas effect works. As this report, among other sources, indicates, the gap between consumer intent and behavior remains significant.
'We have enough products on the planet': Nobody's Child boss Jody Plows on the ethics of sustainable fashion
The boss of the fast-growing fashion label, whose clothes have been worn by the likes of Phoebe Dynevor, Poppy Delevingne, Sienna Miller and brand ambassador Fearne Cotton, says she has been "building a culture" as much as a business.
Brunello Cucinelli reports strong earnings amid largerluxury decline
The company's year-over-year sales were up double digits in the Americas and Asia in fiscal 2024, with revenue projected to climb 10% over the next two years.
U.S. Sanctions Huafu Fashion in 'Largest Ever' Expansion of Forced Labor Blacklist
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security revealed Tuesday that it would be blacklisting one of China's largest textile manufacturers and two dozen of its subsidiaries for their alleged ties with the
Read More (Under Paywall)
Can sustainable investing survive Trump 2.0?
Fund managers and analysts interviewed for FT Money say the new world of sustainable investment will be characterisedby a greater focus on the energy transition, better regulation, and less virtue signalling.
Why Sustainability and Quality Go Together
So much has, and hasn't, changed over the past 10 years. We experienced the global collective trauma of a pandemic and deepening polarization, survived some of the warmest years on record, seen a record drought in the Amazon amid declining rainfall, and witnessed the weakening of women's rights in the U.S. We observed the acceleration of AI.
Read More By Gabriela Hearst
TikTok's Rivals Are Coming for Its E-Commerce Business
The platform turned viral content into a major revenue driver. With its future uncertain, platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and WhatNot are hoping to replicate TikTok's blend of shopping and entertainment.
Worldview: US Textile Industry Calls for Restrictions on Nicaragua
This week's round-up of global markets fashion business news also features Indonesia's bid to reduce US tariffs, surging profits at India's Reliance Retail and the new boss of Chinese-owned Lanvin Group.
Read More (Under Paywall)
AI transforms grocery retail with smart tools and sustainable solutions
As AI technology matures, it's offering more tools—and opportunities—for grocers of all sizes. Learn how natural retailers can use AI for better business.
The rise of sustainable fashion, why luxury vintage pieces are bigger than ever
Remember when "secondhand" was a whispered word in luxury circles?
Well, Not anymore.
Vintage designer pieces are having more than just a moment; they're sparking a revolution in how we view luxury fashion.
Robot packers and AI cameras: UK retail embraces automation to cut staff costs
From electronic shelf labels to more self-service checkouts, automation is coming to your local supermarket
The Needle Movers 2025: Fashion Has Solutions—It's Missing Investment
The lack of progress on sustainability in fashion isn't due to the lack of innovation. Solutions to problems are out there. Funding, on the other hand, is the barrier. For this year's Needle Movers list, we examine seven case studies that show what actual progress can look like: practical solutions to specific problems.
Sustainable fashion's new priorities: What shoppers really want now
Authenticity and transparency are more important than ever, as shoppers are more selective and increasingly sceptical of greenwashing.
Fashion Forward: Sustainability Meets Stylish Expression
Nowadays, there's hardly a conversation about fashion that does not include sustainability. For consumers, it's about how to shop less and how to shop better. For designers, it's about reevaluating their creative processes and embracing eco-friendly practices. Beyond opting for timeless, high-quality designs that guarantee wearability, an innovative blend of materials opens up a world of possibilities for sustainable fashion.
Controlling stake in Pangaia acquired by Abu Dhabi royal family's firm
Pangaia has today announced that Royal Group, an investment holding company led by the Abu Dhabi royal family , has acquired a controlling stake in the eco-conscious fashion brand.
📣 Call for papers 📣
Special issue, "Re-imagining fashion retailing and marketing in the epoch of sustainability and digitalization" in International Journal of Sustainable Fashion & Textiles Intellect Books.
Call for scholars to challenge the current fashion system and to reimagine ways in which sustainability, technology, and their interplay shape fashion design, retailing, and marketing. We are interested in practical, empirical, and conceptual papers, especially those that advance our understanding of these areas within retail store design, consumption and buying behaviors, retail formats, channels, services, customer experience, marketing communications, collaborations, activations, and retailer reputation.
💡 Submission deadline 1 May 2025
💡 Issue publication 30 April 2026
💡 Includes research articles, industry reports and case studies
💡 Submission guidelines in the link below 👇
Vera
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