Sustainability Pulse #122
Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring - October 20, 2025
Lately, it feels like sustainable fashion is having one of those “two steps forward, one step back” moments.
Between Shein’s supposed reform, France’s new environmental labelling, and students figuring out how to dress consciously on a budget, there’s progress - just not the neat kind.
I’ve pulled together the stories that caught my eye this week: from Kenyan designers turning waste into beauty to the quiet strength of wool growers in Australia.
The bigger picture? We’re still somewhere between real change and excellent PR, but at least the conversation’s alive.
Sustainable fashion on a student budget
After a summer of experimenting, Zainab Miah takes you through her findings of how to make personal fashion sustainable
SUSTAINABLE FASHION AND EUROPEAN LEGISLATION: AN EXHIBITION AT THE HEART OF TEXTILE ISSUES
At a time when the European Parliament is examining the issue of textile waste recycling, and in parallel with Paris Fashion Week, Europa Expérience Paris is offering a temporary exhibition dedicated to sustainability issues in the textile industry. Visit Europa Expérience from October 1 to 31 at 28 place de la Madeleine.
Shein begins governance overhaul as fines mount
Fast-fashion giant Shein is facing a pivotal moment in its meteoric rise, as mounting regulatory fines across Europe force the company to tighten its internal controls and rethink how it operates on a global scale.
TOMS taps former Crocs digital commerce lead as new CEO
Los Angeles-based footwear brand TOMS has appointed Jessica Alsing as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective from 8 October.
Consumer insights: How early Christmas shoppers ‘save £120 on average’
Christmas shoppers who start early typically believe they save £120 by making their purchases before mid-December, a new survey indicates.
Source Fashion to spotlight sustainable fashion with Redress catwalk partnership
Source Fashion has announced it is partnering with Redress as the headline catwalk partner for its return to Olympia London from 13-15 January 2026, putting the focus firmly on pioneering designers reshaping fashion through sustainable design.
NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response
The New South Wales government recently announced the launch of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, 2025–28. The strategy, developed in partnership with the Australian Fashion Council, TAFE NSW, University of Technology Sydney and the Powerhouse Museum, promises to “accelerate NSW’s position as a global leader in high-quality, innovative and inclusive fashion”.
Fashion is missing its clearest decarbonisation win
A new report from Fashion Revolution argues that brands are failing to adopt crucial clean heat technologies that could slash emissions and protect workers.
France officializes textile environmental labelling
France has officially launched textile environmental labelling, a significant economic challenge for the sector.
Fashionphile expands to the UK with acquisition of Luxe Collective
Luxury re-commerce brand Fashionphile has entered the UK market through the acquisition of the intellectual property, customer database, and social media channels of Luxe Collective, a former UK-based luxury resale marketplace
From waste to runway: Kenyan designers transform used clothes into art
In a dusty alley in the heart of Kenya’s largest open-air market, fashion models strut down a makeshift runway in bold, upcycled outfits made from waste collected at dumpsites and market cast-offs- proof that even trash can dazzle.
Indian textile exporters turn to Europe, offer discounts to offset US tariffs
Indian textile exporters are seeking new buyers in Europe and offering discounts to existing US customers to cushion the blow from steep US tariffs of as much as 50%, industry executives said. President Donald Trump doubled tariffs in August on Indian imports, placing them among the highest for any trading partner, and affecting goods and produce ranging from garments and jewellery to shrimp.
Portuguese textile exports prove resilient in the face of US-imposed tariffs
Portuguese textile exports are withstanding the impact of the tariffs imposed by the United States, demonstrating the ability to remain focused on the most important markets and that they are “falling only marginally”, Ricardo Silva, CEO of Tintex Textiles and the new president of the Textile and Clothing Association of Portugal (ATP), told Jornal Económico.
Tod’s founder warns ‘Made in Italy’ reputation at risk from supply chain probes
Diego Della Valle, founder and chairman of the Italian luxury group Tod’s, said on Friday that investigations into Italy’s fashion supply chain risk damaging the country’s global reputation for top brands and quality products. Italian prosecutors are seeking to place the shoemaker under judicial administration over alleged labour abuses among its suppliers.
B-logic: five companies explore the future of sustainable denim
Circulose, iTextiles, Labor Made, Neela, and The Lycra Company will unveil a centenary-inspired denim collection reinterpreted through the lens of sustainable fashion at the Kingpins trade show in Amsterdam on October 15 and 16.
ChatGPT’s Instant Checkout: a new era for AI-powered shopping?
By launching its integrated Instant Checkout payment tool in the United States, ChatGPT (OpenAI) now allows users to purchase products directly within its platform. The move marks a significant milestone in how generative AI can reshape online shopping and challenge traditional search-engine-driven commerce models.
Is the Fashion Industry in a ‘Sustainability Retreat’ Or Not?
Cascale’s annual meeting began last month in Hong Kong with an energetic drum performance, but it also revealed significant disagreements reflecting tensions in the global apparel industry.
“I know morale is low,” said Isabelle Kumar, the former Euronews evening news anchor and emcee for the two-day conference. “It seems that our hard-earned progress is unraveling as a new political reality takes hold. Many of you may feel disempowered, demoralized, or even desperate.”
What sustainable fashion can learn from Dr Jane Goodall
Dr Jane Goodall dedicated her life to studying chimpanzees in the wild. A week before she passed away, the zoologist and primatologist spoke to Vogue Business about legacy and the message she wants to be remembered for.
Kalpona Akter: Why are garment workers still denied dignified jobs?
Former child labourer Akter has dedicated her life to helping Bangladeshi garment workers use their voices for change. This is her blueprint for a better industry.
eBay launches exclusive auction of pre-loved designer looks from SS26 runways
Designers such as Erdem, Moschino and Eckhaus Latta partnered with eBay for their SS26 runway shows to showcase pre-loved items from eBay and from their own archives.
In My View by Eric Musgrave: Laying down the law
You have to admire the optimism of the young. I recently enjoyed a Zoom call with a friend’s 17-year-old daughter who had to write an essay about sustainability in fashion. Young Lottie was of the opinion that everything was going in the right direction because she and her friends (all privately-educated, I should add) hardly bought any new clothes, preferring to shop for “vintage” and “pre-loved” on Vinted and the like.
Rowntree reiterates wool is hot as sustainable fashion
Television personality, wool ambassador and honourary Hilltops local, Catriona Rowntree urged wool growers to not lose faith under the weight of drought and low prices as the Merino wool was not “hot” as sustainable fashion.
Top Sustainable Fashion Brands in the US: Revolutionising Eco-Friendly Clothing with Innovative Materials
Six forward-thinking US brands are reshaping fashion through innovation, ethics, and sustainability.
From seaweed-based fabrics to advanced textile recycling, they prove that fashion can be circular, responsible, and stylish.
Each initiative highlights how mindful design and material innovation can reduce waste while inspiring consumers to make planet-positive choices.
Vera
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.