Sustainability Pulse #109
Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring — March 19, 2025
The fashion industry is on the brink of transformation, and this week’s headlines prove that sustainability is no longer a niche conversation. Instead, it’s a movement gaining unstoppable momentum.
From groundbreaking biomaterials scaling up production to designers like Gabriela Hearst redefining what it means to create with purpose, innovation is driving fashion’s next era.
But with progress comes challenges: greenwashing continues to mislead consumers, fast fashion pushes quality to its lowest point, and brands struggle to navigate complex sustainability regulations.
Meanwhile, resale and repair are being tested—can they truly make fashion more circular? Plus, new research reveals unexpected industry growth that could change the game.
Uncover the real impact behind the headlines, and stay ahead of the shift shaping the future of sustainable fashion.
New research shows huge growth ahead for an unexpected industry: 'A transformative shift'
"Today's consumers are more conscious … prompting a shift in preferences."
Gabriela Hearst keeps pushing the edge of sustainability in fashion
Long before it became trendy in fashion circles, environmentalism was the guiding ethos in the designer’s work. “What am I going to do, another collection based on a ’70s icon?”
Biomaterials firm Gozen increases production with new factory, product range
Balenciaga used the company’s Lunaform nanocellulose leather alternative and will now be produced at scale.
Biomaterials firm launches DTC mycelium leather
MycoWorks is selling its Reishi material in sample kits and by the sheet.
Combat greenwashing in the fashion industry
It hurts all of us. It directly hurts younger generations who want to do better but feel lost with misleading information.
The Future of Functional Clothing for an Improved Skin and Textile Microbiome Relationship
Research has found that wool and synthetic fibres, such as polyester and nylon, can worsen atopic dermatitis symptoms. Cotton, however, is a recommended fabric for patients with such skin conditions.
Why next-gen vegan fashion is farming’s unlikely ally
Stephanie Downs, co-founder and CEO of Uncaged Innovations, writes the alternative materials market offers untapped advantages for agricultural producers.
Are resale and repair actually good for sustainability?
Vestiaire Collective, Ebay and Depop are hoping to finally prove the impact of circular fashion.
Read More (Under Paywall)
Global Recycling Foundation Announces 2025 Recycling Heroes
Entrants were invited to submit a 60 to 90 second video demonstrating innovative ideas to promote recycling, sustainability, educational awareness or waste reduction in their community, school or business.
Experts reveal concerning issue plaguing popular fashion brands: 'A race to the bottom'
While fast fashion is doing numbers for the apparel industry, the quality of the products churned out to consumers is not up to par.
From Waste to Wear: Chinese Startup Revolutionizing Sustainable Fashion with Recycled Materials
In China, the government’s efforts to create legislation for extended producer responsibility (EPR) systems are driving a new generation of tech startups to tackle plastic waste via upcycling and develop environmental impact monitoring systems.
Eyeing waste, Japanese apparel industry pushes sustainablefashion
In November last year, an unusual fashion show was staged in Tokyo's Harajuku district with many fashion brand stores. All clothes and accessories worn by the runway models were used items collected from consumers by apparel makers or provided by the models themselves.
EU cracks down on fast fashion and food waste
Ecommerce groups will be forced to cover costs of collecting, sorting and recycling
Paris Hilton Joins Forces With Vestiaire Collective to Support Relief Efforts After Los Angeles Wildfires
The 43-year-old influencer and advocate is offering nearly 100 fashion items.
Textile designer Rosemary Moore partners Graduate Fashion Foundation to launch design competition
Rosemary Moore, the inventor of the original four-way stretch and crinkle fabric MAXXAM in the early 1980s, is partnering with the Graduate Fashion Foundation to launch a design competition.
Wrangler parent company to buy Helly Hansen
In a $900 million deal, Kontoor Brands will acquire the brand from Canadian Tire Corporation.
Scaling Next-Gen Materials In Fashion: An Executive Guide
Materials are at the heart of the fashion industry. They account for 92% of the industry’s total emissionsion, processing, and production and around 30% of the through extract cost of goods sold (COGS).
Can happier sheep make better wool?
A growing community of Australian regenerative producers are reimagining wool farming, focusing on small-scale production and emphasising ecological and animal welfare. But many challenges remain.
From Chanel To Patagonia, What Are Fashion’s Sustainability Managers Working On In 2025
I asked sustainability managers across the fashion sector, from luxury to mainstream, to share some of the initiatives they’ll be working on this coming year. From education programmes and customer services for product longevity, to the ongoing work towards net zero goals and putting in place better protection for workers in the supply chain, here’s what we can expect from brands in 2025.
Confused by supply chain reporting rules? You’re not the only one
In the scramble to comply with a slew of regulations and standards, brands are using different systems that demand different data, putting pressure on suppliers. Attempts to simplify the system are underway.
Drest’s Lucy Yeomans on the Next Iteration of Fashion Gaming
Following a $19.1 million investment in June 2023, the fashion styling mobile app has relaunched as a unique marketing tool using storytelling to reform product discovery and aid customer acquisition for its 260 luxury brand partners in fashion, beauty and lifestyle.
AI Company Aims to Remove Photographers and Models From Fashion
Israeli artificial intelligence (AI) company Botika secured $8 million in seed funding to help it further develop its generative AI technology that can turn a simple product shot of clothing into an entire fashion shoot, complete with AI-generated human models.
Fashion Futurists Are Betting On Lab-Grown Materials, But Should We Buy the Hype?
The fashion industry loves a novel concept—the hot new thing that promises to reinvent the way we wear clothes. For over a decade, innovative minds have experimented with recreating cotton, leather, silk, and fur in a lab, hoping to bypass the harmful ecological and social impacts of traditional farming to produce materials that, in theory, mimic the real deal.
Mindfulness is in fashion: How KC ‘Miss Kayce’ Leyco gives sustainable styling a go
As a personal stylist and advocate for minimal and sustainable fashion, KC has found her place in the scene, helpingclients discover their personal style while embracing mindful consumption.
What PrettyLittleThing and Boohoo's rebrands say about fast fashion
Two of the UK's biggest fast fashion giants, PrettyLittleThing and Boohoo, are rewriting their stories. Once the go-to brands for affordable, trend-led styles, they’re now trying to reinvent themselves—but are these rebrands a genuine shift or just a clever marketing move?
E.L.V Denim Champions Upcycled Fashion at London Fashion Week
E.L.V Denim kicked off London Fashion Week on Thursday with its first on-schedule presentation. The emerging denim brand leapt into ready-to-wear, expanding from upcycled jeans into tailoring, shirts and eveningwear.
Sheep Inc. Secures £5 Million Series A investment ToTransform The Fashion Industry
This investment fuels Sheep Inc.’s mission to radically redefine the fashion industry, proving that unparalleled quality and unprecedented impact can — and should — coexist. At the heart of this transformation is Sheep Inc.’s naturally carbon-negative supply chain and proprietary Connected Dot technology, which allows customers to trace every garment’s journey — from regenerative farms to the final stitch — offering an unmatched level of transparency in fashion.
Mexico’s new tariffs hit Shein — and millions of local resellers
The government hopes the 19% tax will push Asian e-commerce giants to grow their operations in Mexico, and make up for 79,000 textile jobs lost to fast fashion.
Shein Confirms Plans To Pursue IPO
The brand’s executive chairman doubled down on plans to move forward amidst potential tariffs and uncertain economic waters.
Is Temu Bad for the Environment? A Full Analysis
In this article, we will examine Temu’s environmental footprint, highlighting its low cost, its pros, and the environmental concerns of its cheap products. We will also assess whether the platform is truly as harmful as critics suggest. Can Temu adapt and become more eco-friendly, or is its low-cost model fundamentally unsustainable?
Nordstrom Is Changing Its Popular Return Policy
In the past, Nordstrom customers enjoyed a very lenient return policy. The department store used to accept all returns even if it had been months (or years) since the purchase date, the product had been used, or there was no receipt. Now, that’s all about to change.
The most innovative fashion and apparel companies for 2025
Why Nuuly, Miu Miu, Moncler, and more are among Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in fashion and apparel for 2025.
85+ Stats on Gen Z Spending and Buying Habits (2024)
Gen Z’s global purchasing power is $450 billion
29% of Gen Z are more likely to purchase things from companies with a social media presence
41% of Gen Z prefer to discover new things on social media via short-form video
55.1% of Gen Z shop with buy now, pay later (BNPL)
64% of Gen Z are willing to pay extra to buy from companies they feel loyal towards
58% of Gen Z purchased something they saw on social media
74% of Gen Z prefer shopping on phones over other devices
I really hope you're enjoying The Sustainability Pulse, my weekly newsletter looking at sustainability in the fashion industry. If you find the tips and insights useful, please share these articles to help spread the word.
While we're at it, let's make sure these are hitting your primary inbox.
Gmail users: Move this email to your Primary Tab (drag-and-drop on Desktop, three dots on Mobile) and add me, sustainabilityp@substack.com, to your contacts.
Apple mail users: Tap on the email address at the top of this message and select "Add to VIPs."
Using Outlook, Yahoo, Hotmail, or something else? Find instructions here.
Taking a few minutes to do this will ensure you always take advantage of greatness.
Let's do this!
- Vera
P.S. Is there something on your mind… a burning question about fashion, sustainability, happiness, mindset, or consumer behavior? Reply to this email; I might answer you in an upcoming newsletter.
My writing is supported entirely by paid subscriptions—there are no ads, paid placements, or sponsored content here. It's all powered by you, the reader.