Sustainability Pulse #110
Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring — April 6, 2025
If it feels like we’re standing at a turning point in fashion, it’s because we are.
This month’s updates are more than just headlines. They’re signals that the industry is finally listening to what we, the advocates for a cleaner fashion system, have been saying all along: there is no future in fashion without sustainability. From resale revolutions to tech-driven recycling and the growing backlash against greenwashing, the tide is turning, and it’s moving fast.
Brands like Vinted and The Handbag Clinic are embracing secondhand as luxury. Puma and Lululemon are diving into true textile circularity. And powerful partnerships, like Coach teaming up with Beyond Retro’s parent company, prove that upcycling isn’t just niche, it’s next level.
But there’s still work to be done. Emissions are rising, greenwashing is rampant during Fashion Weeks, and fast fashion giants are scrambling to patch up their public images. Meanwhile, consumers, especially younger generations, are pulling back on purchases, not out of apathy but awareness. We’re voting with our wallets, choosing value over volume, and asking harder questions.
So what do we do now?
We double down. On education. On advocacy. On pushing brands to be accountable not just in marketing, but in action. This newsletter is your toolkit: a curated mix of game-changing news, inspiring moves in secondhand and circular fashion, and the uncomfortable truths we can’t afford to ignore.
🌍 Yours in fashion (r)evolution,
The resale revolution
Charlie Casey, CEO and co-founder of LoyaltyLion, writes that brands can reclaim the secondhand market through their own initiatives and rewards programs.
How fashion leaders are thinking about tariffs, consumer changes and tackling waste
The American Apparel and Footwear Association’s annual executive summit focused on staying agile amid constant change.
'House of Vinted' luxury fashion launches online following London pop-up
Vinted is launching its second-hand luxury fashion concept, ‘House of Vinted’, online following its 'by invitation only' pop-up at The Adria Hotel in London - its first ‘in real life’ event.
Beyond Retro’s parent company partners with Coach to bring upcycling to luxury sector
Bank & Vogue, the parent company of vintage clothing chain Beyond Retro, has partnered with American luxury fashion house Coach on a limited-edition collection of bags crafted from repurposed textiles.
Why The Handbag Clinic is committing to Selfridges with preloved pop-ups across UK
The Handbag Clinic, the handbag restorer and luxury reseller, is expanding its partnership with Selfridges, bringing pop-ups to Birmingham and Manchester later this month.
Marketing Sustainability : Greenwashing in Fashion Weeks
The pollution caused by the fashion industry raised the issue of sustainability in the sector, but also led to extensive greenwashing in Fashion Week
ESO Recycling and ReBound partner to advance circular footwear returns
The partnership will guarantee that non-resellable footwear is used rather than thrown away by giving merchants who use ReBound’s omnichannel returns management platform access to ESO Recycling’s material recovery knowledge.
Can Lululemon Solve The Sustainable Nylon Problem?
Facing a lack of commercially viable, low-impact nylon options, the brand has been investing in solutions providers.“Nylon is one of the key areas because we see not much investment is going into finding solves on nylon. So, we want to take that leadership role here on nylon,”
Generative AI hits a fashion acceleration point
The buzzy tech has moved beyond its 2024 hype cycle into real-world implementation. We spoke to retailers who are seeing results.
A waste-free future for fashion
Fast-moving trends in fashion and a global marketplace for low-quality synthetic garments have driven an ever-mounting crisis of textile waste, with large-scale environmental and societal implications. Innovative solutions and a fundamental change in our relationship with clothing is urgently needed to forge a sustainable path forward for fashion.
Climate Fixers: One Philly designer knits nature and fashion for sustainability
NOOR by Grant Blvd, a Philly-based fashion house, uses only natural, plant-based fibers like Tencel and linen, or wool.None of the materials are sourced from fossil fuels.
Loewe names former Proenza Schouler team as creative directors
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, who recently left the brand they co-founded, succeed Jonathan Anderson, who exited the LVMH-owned house last week.
Uniqlo, Anya Hindmarch ‘googly eye’ lawsuit will continue
A federal judge rejected holding company Fast Retailing’s request to dismiss the complaint filed by Googly Eye Cru.
Consumers plan to curb discretionary fashion purchases
Uncertainty over inflation and rising prices have led to planned decreases in multiple categories, according to a recent survey from McKinsey.
Child's coat found eight years later 250 miles away
After retracing its journey, she figured out that the woman she had given it to had a Welsh connection, which had broughtthe coat across the border.
Denim revolution : How plants and tech are cleaning up jean's dirty secret
With toxic dyes, chemical pollution and massive water waste, denim’s carbon footprint is anything but small. But change is happening.
Spinnova founder reinstated as CEO amid growth plans
The Finnish textile technology business Spinnova Plc has named a well-known individual as its new CEO in the wake of recent unrest. Janne Poranen, the founder, will take over as the company’s leader immediately.
Endless Fashion: Sustainability to take centre stage at Taipei Fashion Week AW25
Over the four day span, seven Taiwanese brands will be hosting their own standalone shows between SCCP and other sites throughout the city. Among them are young brands like Chow des Homme and Hansen Atelier, as well as the more storied labels of Liyu Tsai and Yenline, giving a glimpse into the generational disparities existing within Taiwanese fashion.
Lenzing report details sustainability achievements
Lenzing, global provider of sustainable fibers for the textile and nonwoven industries, has released its 2024 Annual and Sustainability Report, showcasing notable strides toward achieving its ecological, social, and economic sustainability objectives.
Puma, RE&UP to advance circular textile solutions for sustainable fashion
Puma partners RE&UP, moving a step closer to its 2030 vision for 30% of polyester fabric in its apparel to be fibre-to-fibre recycled.
Passionate Advocate for Sustainability Challenges Conventional Fashion Accessory Design Norms
Sloka Bharat Shah’s vision extends far beyond conventional accessory design. With a background rooted in traditional Indian craftsmanship, she has emerged as a leading advocate for sustainable practices in the fashion industry.
EU remains steadfast in bolstering sustainability with textile innovations
Aligned with the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027, these initiatives will foster collaboration between public and private sectors.
European Council adopts proposal to delay sustainability reporting
The European Parliament scheduled an April 1 vote for the “stop the clock” measure, which would officially delay reporting deadlines for the bloc’s corporate sustainability laws.
Sustainable Fashion Market is to grow at an 8.2 % CAGR, with the Asia-Pacific leading the market through 2032
An Australian business, Samsara Eco, invented enzymatic recycling technology that can recycle polyester forever. Samsara is an example of technology advancements towards sustainability, working with companies such as Lululemon to turn waste plastics into clothing.
Temu accused of acting in bad faith in addressing customer complaints
A class action lawsuit alleges the fast fashion company is scheming to prevent customers from filing claims.
FTC considers petition for digital labels on apparel
The American Apparel and Footwear Association is petitioning for online garment care instructions, with the support ofbrands including Ralph Lauren and Patagonia.
Fashion industry called on to address textile waste, sustainability challenges
The fashion and textile industry takes centre stage on this year's International Day of Zero Waste, with a focus on addressing the waste generated by its prevalent linear business practices.
US footwear sector warns tariffs make extra pair of shoes unaffordable luxury
The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) has issued a cautionary statement regarding the potential economic repercussions amid US President Donald Trump’s impending reciprocal tariff plan.
Conscious Collections Fest aims to uplift sustainable fashion scene in Omaha
Lauren Bates, founder of Conscious Collections Fest, and Nicole Daberkow, owner of Elsie's Attic, talk about festival and it's aim to uplift the sustainable fashion scene in Omaha.
Zara Owner Inditex’s Transport Emissions Balloon to Record Highs
Despite ambitious climate goals, Inditex’s transport-related carbon emissions grew twice as fast as product volumes in 2024. According to its operator Aena, cargo shipments nearly doubled that year.
What if Our Fashion Was Based in Community?
Capsule wardrobes are dumb. Community-rooted wardrobes, however...
Big Brands Banned Fur. Why Is It Back on the Runway?
The luxury sector is turning to a roster of alternatives, from synthetics to styling tricks and innovation to tap into a resurgence in consumer appetite for fluffy fashions.
Read More (Under Paywall)
Experts sound alarm on the hidden damage caused by current trend: 'It's very difficult'
"It's designed to be bought, to be worn, and then to be thrown away."
Too much stuff: can we solve our addiction to consumerism?
This article is over a year old but serves as a great reminder that life is valuable without constantly buying things.
Alarmed by the rising tide of waste we are all creating, my family and I decided to try to make do with much less. Butwhile individual behaviour is important, real change will require action on a far bigger scale.
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.