Sustainability Pulse #123
Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring - November 1, 2025
Mariah Carey may have declared the holidays officially open, but perhaps the phrase “It’s time” lands differently this year.
In fashion, we’re watching an industry in flux, one hand holding sparkle, the other soil.
Regenerative design, circular production, and reimagined craftsmanship are beginning to replace the seasonal churn with something slower, more rooted.
From Lisbon’s Textile Exchange talks to Manchester’s sustainable comeback, these stories suggest a subtle cultural turn: a move from performative to restorative.
Optimism, here, isn’t naive, it’s creative, practical, and quietly revolutionary.
Regenerative Design Is The Next Step In Sustainable Fashion
Regenerative design in fashion means building clothing systems that restore, rather than deplete, natural resources. It goes beyond “less harm” toward positive return designing products that enrich soil health, reduce pollution, and sustain the communities that produce them. In practice, it means using natural fibers that can return to the earth, transparent supply chains that support biodiversity, and production methods that give back more than they take.
Arnault tightens his LVMH control with $1.6-B buying spree
Over eight months beginning in February, the 76-year-old quietly bought about ₹1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) worth of LVMH shares, according to Paris stock exchange filings. The purchases, made through holding companies, came amid a slide in LVMH’s share price following weaker earnings and a broader luxury sector decline.
Irish Designer Mihai Mar Shares His Fashion Loves
Fresh from Dublin Independent Fashion Week, the founder of Mar Knitwear Mihai Mar discusses the future of Irish fashion and what his perfect Dublin day is …
Rino Mastrotto Announces a Strategic Collaboration With ISTITUTO MARANGONI Paris
The contribution goes beyond the material: Rino Mastrotto Group will bring its expertise to the students through hands-on workshops, specialized product lessons, and a dedicated sustainability masterclass.
Barbican opens first major fashion exhibition in nearly a decade
London’s Barbican has opened its first large-scale fashion exhibition in eight years, inspired by the “rebellious, playful and regenerative potentials of dirt and decay,” as it looks to reaffirm its commitment to fashion within its visual art programming, building on the success of exhibitions such as ‘The House of Viktor & Rolf’ in 2008 and Jean Paul Gaultier in 2014.
Is Craftsmanship Dying? Two Experts Weigh In
As mass production and fast fashion grow, work and economic opportunities for artisans are increasingly under threat. But people are working to improve the situation, and we convened two of them to help us better understand the landscape for makers.
Rent the Runway Announces Closing of Recapitalization Transactions
Rent the Runway, Inc., a pioneer in apparel rental that created one of the world’s leading fashion subscription platforms, today announced the closing of its previously announced recapitalization transactions, a strategic step to enhance the Company’s financial position and flexibility by meaningfully reducing outstanding debt, extending the maturity of its remaining debt balance, and providing additional capital to support the Company’s growth initiatives.
Is the Fashion Industry in a ‘Sustainability Retreat’ Or Not?
‘Shop Sustainable’: Sustainable Fashion Club encourages students ‘make a better impact’
EU Will Delay Anti-Deforestation Law by Another Year, Commissioner Says
The landmark policy aims to ban imports of products like leather and palm oil that could be linked to deforestation.
What Fuels Fashion? 2025
The second edition of What Fuels Fashion? ranks 200 of the world’s largest fashion brands on disclosure of their climate and energy-related policies, practices and impacts in their own operations & supply chains.
Brands are scored on how transparent they are across five critical areas:
Accountability
Decarbonisation
Energy Procurement
Financing Decarbonisation
Just Transition & Advocacy
Nike Pledged to Shrink Its Carbon Footprint. It Just Slashed the Staff Charged With Making That Happen.
Since December, Nike has lost about 30% of employees who worked primarily on sustainability initiatives, due to layoffs, voluntary departures or transfers to other duties. Already, the company was missing its targets for reducing emissions
Adidas Replaces Annual Impact Report with Low-Key Data Sheets, Signaling Shift in Green Messaging
For a deeper dive, see their latest Annual Report.
The French Textile Eco-Score: October 2025 - Key Updates and What Fashion Brands Need to Know
The French Eco-Score entry into force begins on October 1st, 2025.
Recover™ Secures Multi-Year Recycled Cotton Agreement with H&M
Recover™ has signed a multi-year agreement with H&M to support the integration of its recycled cotton fiber, RCotton, for use in H&M’s products.
Manchester Fashion Week Relaunches After Decade-Long Hiatus with Sustainability Focus
Textile Exchange Conference in Lisbon on Supply Chain Sustainability
The Textile Exchange Conference gathered over 1,600 attendees and featured 70 speakers across various sectors.
Key Takeaways:
Production Focus: Shifting from preferred materials to production systems promotes circular practices.
Impact Data Importance:Accessible, high-quality data is essential for measurable change.
Collaboration: Shared investment and communication within the supply chain drive progress.
Economic and Environmental Alignment: Growth should prioritize higher-value products and circular models over volume.
Standards for Accountability: Relevant standards and outcome measurement are crucial for continuous improvement.
Trends and Innovation at Kingpins Amsterdam 2025
Explore the highlights of Kingpins Amsterdam 2025, where heritage craftsmanship fused with groundbreaking innovation in denim. From 3D archives to sustainability spotlights and standout street style, discover how the event shaped the future of fashion.
Mytheresa extends resale partnership with Vestiaire Collective
Mytheresa is further expanding its collaboration with Vestiaire Collective, launched in 2021. The Munich-based luxury platform and the French luxury second-hand marketplace will also offer a menswear resale service in future.
How an Oregon ranch wife became a global force in sustainable fashion
HOOD RIVER — This land is a miracle — an eternal source of life that binds us together. For Jeanne Carver, Pacific Northwest ranch wife turned sustainable, all-American retail titan, its health is at the heart of everything she practices. “The land must win,” Carver said, attributing the guiding philosophy to her late husband, Dan. “It’s our responsibility to do everything we can while we’re still here.”
Circ and H&M Group forge path for sustainable fashion with recycled fibres
Textile-to-textile recycler Circ has entered into a partnership with H&M Group, marking the first instance where the Swedish fashion brand will incorporate regenerated fibres from polycotton waste into its product line.
Technology’s impact on sustainable fashion leads discussions at ICFS 2025
Industry leaders and scholars gathered at Wuhan Textile University (WTU) in China on 27 October to examine the influence of emerging technology on sustainable design, production, and education in the fashion industry during the third International Conference on Fashion and Sustainability (ICFS 2025).
A NEW SUSTAINABLE FASHION INITIATIVE IS SET TO ARRIVE IN DOHA IN NOVEMBER
Bringing eco-conscious creativity to life through immersive exhibitions, masterclasses, and industry-led talks.
Founder Personally Affected by Scleroderma Creates Sustainable Fashion Brand Merging Style with Medical Advocacy
The scleroderma community, often overlooked by mainstream charities, finds support in Lifestyleimageshop.com. With around 300,000 Americans affected by this chronic condition, the need for research funding and public awareness is vital. Lifestyleimageshop.com turns fashion consumption into activism, enabling customers to contribute to medical research through their everyday purchases.
Nike steps into ‘mind science’ with body-aware sneaker design
Nike is expanding into “mind science” with new footwear it says is designed to deepen bodily awareness, a move regenerative footwear brand Vivobarefoot challenges, arguing the human foot is already “nature’s original smart technology.”
Mariah Carey Says “It’s Time” in Sephora’s Heartwarming Holiday Push
On social networks, reactions have been mixed. While the campaign aims to kick off the festive season with Carey’s signature charm, many viewers found it tone-deaf amid rising prices and economic strain. Critics called out the ad’s use of AI imagery and its disconnect from workers’ realities, seeing it as an out-of-touch celebration of consumerism at a time when affordability and authenticity feel more urgent than sparkle.
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.