Sustainability Pulse #43
Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring — July 17th, 2022
Fashion Has Abandoned Human Taste
Stores are stocked with copycat designs. It's a nightmare.
Fashion and Sustainability: Understanding Luxury Fashion in a Changing World
An introduction to sustainable fashion design, research, and business practice – a free online course supported by luxury fashion group Kering.
NFW is partnering with Veshin Factory to expand access to MIRUM®
Natural Fiber Welding's plastic-free, leather alternative MIRUM has overtaken the luxury accessory market. Now, in partnership with Veshin Factory, NFW has added a team of expert designers and craftspeople to expand access to MIRUM and support brands looking to replace plastic-based alternatives for MIRUM's superior, plastic-free performance.
Neonyt Lab Germany: Working for more sustainable fashion industry
On an exhibition and shopping area of 1,000 m² with over 30 sustainable fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands and a comprehensive event and talk program, a lot was offered during the three days of Neonyt Lab. The sustainable fashion scene from 22 countries – including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, and Denmark – attested to it. Among them were designers, activists, consumers, content creators, and fashion industry representatives. The Neonyt Lab was supported by Engagement Global and Oeko-Tex.
CONSCIOUS FASHION AND LIFESTYLE NETWORK EVENT EXPLORES SDG ADVANCEMENT
In 2015, the United Nations' member states established the Sustainable Development Goals to drive positive change when it comes to people and planet. To address and advance the adoption of these goals specifically within the fashion industry, an organization called the Fashion Impact Fund joined forces with the UN office for partnerships to create a network called Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network. Their inaugural meeting was held on June 2nd in New York City. They gathered members of their advisory board as well as media and industry stakeholders to explore new avenues through which they can continue to engage with this vital sector.
Can Fashion Lower Its Climate Impact While Selling More Products?
Resolving the fundamental tension between what is good for revenue growth and what is good for the environment is the biggest challenge to fashion's sustainability efforts.
Farfetch to fund Web3 startups through new accelerator
The program, now in partnership with VC firm Outlier Ventures, awards up to 10 Web3 fashion startups with coaching and $150,000 each.
Fashion brands pause use of sustainability index tool over greenwashing claims
H&M has suspended its use of product labeling tool, The Higg Materials Sustainability Index.
Previously, shoppers could go on to H&M's website and view the environmental impact of 655 garments rated by the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI). For example, one pair of cotton shorts used 88% less water than conventional materials. As a result, its global warming impact was 14% less than conventional materials. However, after being cautioned by the Norwegian Consumer Authority (NCA) about maintaining use of MSI in future marketing or else facing economic sanctions- H&M has announced that they are halting such marketing altogether for the time being.
BABY BOOMERS ARE EMBRACING SUSTAINABLE FASHION
The media usually portrays the millennial and Gen Z generations as the harbingers of eco-friendly change, but the truth is that almost as many baby boomers are keen on leading a greener lifestyle. Recent research has shown, for instance, that 46% of millennials and 44% of baby boomers are keen to buy fashions made with recycled, sustainable, naturally-harvested fibers and materials.
Fast-Fashion Behemoth Shein Says It's Cleaning Up Its Act. Will Anyone Buy It?
The turbocharged business model behind one of the world's top startups is becoming the biggest threat to its continued success.
The pandemic has changed workplace fashion. What does that mean for you?
As many people worked from home during the pandemic lockdown, companies' formal dress codes dissolved and office employees no longer needed to dress up. Slacks were replaced by sweats. People ditched heels. And T-shirts started to dominate.
How current global trends are disrupting the fashion industry
In this episode of The McKinsey Podcast, McKinsey senior partner Achim Berg speaks with executive editor Roberta Fusaro about findings from McKinsey's The State of Fashion 2022 report. They cover the concurrent effects of the many challenges facing both suppliers and brands, including the war in Ukraine, the pandemic, and inflation.
How Web 3.0 And Evolving Consumer Psychographics Will Change The Brand Relationship
In essence, Web 3.0 will shift the power of the internet from a narrow band of platforms that retailers and brands currently rely upon to reach customers. That power will transfer into the hands of consumers organized within interest communities whose members will interact across multiple platforms.
People are paying more for clothes even as retailers like Walmart and Gap mark down prices to cut inventory
According to a closely watched inflation report, apparel prices rose 5.2% in June on a year-over-year basis.
Shoppers are paying more to refresh their wardrobes, even as retailers such as Walmart, Target and Gap mark down prices to eat away at excess inventory.
Formal attire, in particular, has picked up again as Americans head to weddings or spend more time back at the office, one industry analyst said.
Fossil Fashion
Report finds fashion certification and voluntary initiatives enable greenwashing + act as sustainability decoys. As a result, fashion's impact has worsened despite the proliferation of schemes that also ignore or facilitate reliance on fossil fuels.
Sustainable fashion doesn't have to be expensive. These 5 tips can help
When fashionable clothes can be so cheap, it can be easy to fill up virtual shopping carts just for the rush of the purchase. But this attitude of excess has led to mass over-production and a clothing waste crisis.
Vera
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