Sustainability Pulse #107
Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring — Feb 1, 2025
February 2025 is kicking off with a whirlwind of innovation, fresh ideas, and a few hard truths in sustainable fashion.
From the regenerative runways of Nairobi Fashion Week—where Africa’s design visionaries are blending bold creativity with planet-positive impact—to grants fueling ethical textiles and student-led pop-ups reimagining pre-loved threads, this month is jam-packed with reasons to feel inspired.
Whether it’s Birkenstock’s strategic pivot or Gen A’s love affair with upcycling, the industry is buzzing with moves that prove sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s a transformation.
But let’s keep it real: Progress isn’t always linear.
As grants and EU certifications promote sustainable practices, garment workers in Bangladesh and Myanmar face urgent rights challenges while online returns hit record highs.
How do we balance innovation with accountability? Klaus Mitchell’s op-ed urges us to think beyond climate, and new partnerships like TESTEX x FutureWear aim to demystify regulations.
From shareholder pressures to the science of natural dyes, this edition unpacks the messy, thrilling journey toward a fairer fashion future.
Let’s dive into the good stuff.
Nairobi Fashion Week Ushers In A New Era Of African Fashion With A Regenerative Theme
The seventh edition of Nairobi Fashion Week will take place at the Sarit Centre from January 29th to February 1st.
Nairobi Fashion Week 2025 announced that Africa’s rising stars in regenerative fashion will take center stage with groundbreaking collections that combine bold creativity with a commitment to environmental and social impact.
Grants to Support Ethical Fashion and Sustainable Textiles
Grants play a pivotal role in advancing ethical fashion and sustainable textiles by providing essential funding for innovative projects and initiatives. Many emerging designers and small businesses lack the financial resources to implement sustainable practices or develop eco-friendly products.
Grants can bridge this gap, enabling them to invest in research, development, and production processes that align with ethical standards.
Funding to Support Sustainable Fashion Brands
Sustainable fashion brands have emerged as a vital response to the environmental and social challenges posed by the traditional fashion industry. These brands prioritize ethical production methods, eco-friendly materials, and fair labor practices, aiming to reduce the negative impact of clothing production on the planet.
Birkenstock brings on a new CFO as it pushes DTC strategy
Ivica Krolo will replace Erik Massmann, who helped guide the footwear brand through its initial public offering a little over a year ago.
Love Me Again: A Sustainable Fashion Pop-Up 27th-31st January - Sallynoggin College
Dublin: In collaboration with local Dun Laoghaire charity and vintage shops and DLRCC, SCFE’s Advanced Fashion Industry Practice and Fashion Buying, Styling, and Visual Merchandising students have curated an inspiring exhibition of pre-loved garments. By reimagining and restyling these pieces, the students showcase the endless possibilities of sustainable fashion.
Op-Ed: To Keep Sustainability On the Map, We Need to Go Beyond Climate
Klaus Mitchell, environmental advocate and co-founder of Plant Based Newswrites about how to create a green future in a divided era.
AAFA, FLA seek enhanced garment worker rights in Bangladesh
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) urge the Bangladesh government and industry leaders to prioritise enhancing garment workers' rights to ensure the country's long-term success.
UK online fashion returns hit 30% with ‘poor fit’ as topreason
A study by global fulfilment provider fulfilmentcrowd suggests 30% of fashion items purchased online in the UK are returned each year with 'poor fit' being the main reason cited by consumers.
Labour rights violations worsening in Myanmar warn unions
Myanmar garment workers are continuing to face growing exploitation with global trade union IndustriALL reporting alarming conditions, including forced labour in factories amid ongoing crisis.
TESTEX, FutureWear launch EU sustainability rules certification
Swiss testing firm TESTEX has partnered with supply chain consultants FutureWear Group to create a certification program to help the textile and apparel sector navigate the EU's new sustainability directives.
Textile PRO Forum to help navigate EPR, Waste Framework Directive
A voluntary Textile PRO Forum has launched with the aim of harmonising the textiles extender producer recycling scheme implementation in Europe to support a circular economy.
Retailers must prioritise navigating Trump tariffs, socialmedia in 2025
A new report from GlobalData reveals international trade and social media will be among the major themes impacting the retail sector in 2025.
Student designers create Western-inspired looks to promote sustainable fashion
DENVER — Western fashion is trending, as country music and Western aesthetics saturate popular culture.
Exploring fast fashion’s hidden cost and Africa’s role in the sustainable revolution
Why Gen A are swapping fast fashion for upcycling
Fast fashion? No thanks, say today’s tweens, who would rather upcycle their vintage finds — and then brag about it
Zegna Group revenue rises slightly despite losses at Thom Browne
Strong DTC sales and a solid performance from the company’s namesake brand drove growth and offset challenges elsewhere.
Fashion outlook 2025: What to expect in the year ahead
As the industry shifts toward a more sustainable future, it’s also facing creative and C-suite changes, legal hurdles, and challenges in the luxury sector.
SUSTAINABLE WOMEN’S CLOTHING: A GUIDE TO TIMELESS GREEN CHOICES
In recent years, the fashion industry has undergone a seismic shift towards sustainability, driven by the growing awareness of environmental challenges and the impact of fast fashion. For brands like L’Envers, this shift represents not just a trend but a commitment to creating garments that are timeless, eco-friendly, and ethically made. Sustainable women’s clothing has become a beacon of hope for those seeking to align their wardrobe with their values without compromising on style.
Earth911 Podcast: Eco-Stylist Garik Himebaugh On Creating Your Sustainable Style
Meet Garik Himebaugh, the founder of Eco-Stylist.com, a site dedicated to promoting sustainable fashion choices. Garik’s journey into the world of sustainable fashion began with a background in peace studies and an MBA, and hediscovered social entrepreneurship as a grad student and launched Eco-Stylist in 2018.
TESTEX and Future Wear Group partner to launch EU sustainability rules certification
Developing a thorough understanding of EU sustainability directives to support organisational adaptation and interactingwith specialised materials created by authorities in textiles, sustainability, and regulatory adherence are just two benefits of earning the TESTEX Academy certification, according to TESTEX and FutureWear.
bluesign® Driving Strategic Transformation Toward A Safer And More Sustainable Fashion Industry
ST. GALLEN, Switzerland — With news headlines like “Fast Fashion is Made with Alarmingly High Amounts of ToxicChemicals” (Business Insider) the textile industry continues to be under intense scrutiny as revelations about the widespread use of hazardous chemicals highlight significant risks to human health and the environment.
Stella McCartney, Sustainability, Ethics & Fashion
Stella McCartney regains control of her brand after buying back LVMH’s stake, staying as global sustainability ambassador to advance eco-friendly fashion
The fashion industry is known for creating roughly 1.2b tons of GHG's annually as well as the wastage of 92 million tons of textiles.
59% of students still concerned about cost of living, says UNiDAYS
According to the report, 59% of students are concerned about the cost of living, which although high, is down compared to 68% who expressed concern about the cost-of-living in the year prior.
For the average student in the UK, their monthly disposable income is £182. According to the data, 41% are spendingdisposable income on fashion and 38% are spending it on travel.
Is sustainable fashion expensive?
The cost of conscious choices
The problem: a complex supply chain and ethical production standards
Eco-Friendly Fashion From Juhu Beach to Auroville: 5 Startups Turning Waste Into Clothes
From upcycled textiles to recycled plastic fabrics, these five fashion startups are making waves by prioritising the planet and people in their designs.
5 fashion lawsuits and legal trends to watch in 2025
Though some high profile disputes were resolved last year, others are still pending with bigger implications for the industry at large.
FTC to refund Fashion Nova customers $2.4M
The agency accused the fast fashion company of suppressing negative consumer reviews.
Towards a safer, more sustainable fashion industry
Celebrating its 25th year in progressing the clean chemical movement across fashion, bluesign continues to drive strategic transformation.
With news headlines like ‘Fast fashion is made with alarmingly high amounts of toxic chemicals’ (Business Insider), the textiles industry continues to be under intense scrutiny as revelations about the widespread use of hazardous chemicals highlight significant risks to human health and the environment.
Wool makes a comeback at Performance Days
Sustainability remains central to Performance Days, reflecting broader industry efforts to minimise environmental impact. Innovations like MWool and textile-to-textile recycling have gained momentum, showcasing eco-friendly solutions without compromising performance or design.
Are shareholders stalling sustainability progress?
Payouts to shareholders have spiked over the years, and some say sustainability efforts have been hamstrung in the process. What can change?
The Science of Colour in Sustainable Fashion: Natural vs Synthetic Dyes
Color is the heartbeat of fashion, communicating emotion, culture, and identity. Yet, as the industry pivots towards sustainability, the vibrant hues that define fashion collections are undergoing a transformation. The dyeing process, responsible for a significant environmental footprint, is now a focal point in the quest for eco-friendly innovation. This article explores the evolving landscape of sustainable dyeing methods, comparing natural and synthetic dyes and spotlighting the breakthroughs reshaping fashion.
From Trash to Treasure: Exploring the Untapped Value of Textile Recycling
Textile waste is a multifaceted issue. It includes discarded clothing, production scraps, and other fabric-based materials such as upholstery and home textiles.
Misguided Regulation Is Putting the Sustainable Fashion Movement at Risk
A backlash against complex and costly new rules is threatening Europe’s pioneering efforts to make the industry operate more responsibly. Failure to address valid criticisms risks undermining the whole endeavour, argues Kenneth P. Pucker.
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX: THE STUDENT PROJECT CHALLENGING FASHION WASTE
ASU grad student creates The Box Project, an initiative that redefines fashion sustainability
Fashion brands are balancing ‘Returnuary’ losses with resale revenue
According to the National Retail Federation’s December report, returns are projected to account for 17% of all merchandise sales in 2025, amounting to $890 billion worth of merchandise — a significant increase from 2023’s 15% rate and $743 billion.
Weavers battle economic crisis as promised textile parks not operational
Both of the textile parks that were supposed to be established in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district have not yet opened. Weavers in the area are thus experiencing extreme financial hardship as a result of their inability to obtain sufficient employment and reasonable pricing for their wares.
Vera
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