Sustainability Pulse #70
Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring — Sept 10, 2023
Hello Beloved Readers,
Greetings from NYC, where I have recently touched back down after a blissful vacation about embracing life's simplicity. I packed nothing but essentials - a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, a dress, and some swimwear - giving myself a delightful break from the never-ending “what to wear” conundrum. But now, refreshed and rejuvenated, I am here to dive right back into the world of sustainable fashion with all of you.
Let’s catch up on what we’ve missed in sustainability and fashion. This week, we are exploring a range of hot topics, from the controversial relationship between fashion and fossil fuels to the latest strides in combating microplastic pollution by Blue Ridge Home Fashions.
Uganda is making waves with its bold decision to ban the import of discarded clothing from Europe and the US, aiming to uplift its textile industry. This is a pivotal time for the nation and sets a remarkable precedent in the global fashion industry.
As we move further, we'd like to touch upon insightful suggestions from Alden Wicker, an expert shedding light on your fashion choices if you have eczema. Alden's deep insights into toxic fashion and its health effects are informative and an eye-opener to many of us.
The exciting news does not end here. We have a diverse lineup of stories ranging from the challenges faced by Amy Powney in steering her label Mother of Pearl towards sustainable fashion to the innovative steps taken by the EU with its Digital Product Passport under the new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.
A spotlight on the trendy and eco-conscious approaches of Woolworths' RE denim brand and the creative universe of upcycled clothing trends makes this edition a rich tapestry of the latest and the best in sustainable fashion.
I am also thrilled to bring to you exclusive insights from interviews with industry stalwarts such as Eileen Fisher's new CEO Lisa Williams, and an inside tour of one of Bangladesh's largest clothing factories with the heads of Beximco. It’s a collection of stories that offers a panoramic view of the industry, bringing to you both the breakthroughs and the ongoing struggles in the realm of sustainable fashion.
Before you go deeper, I have a little request for you. Let's make sure that these updates reach you. Gmail users, add sustainabilityp@substack.com to your contacts. Apple Mail users, remember to add this address to your VIPs. Your small action will help in keeping this community vibrant and engaged.
Thank you for being a part of this journey, and I am eager to hear your thoughts, suggestions, and feedback. Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter (X) or LinkedIn for any related discussions or to share your views on the fashion world.
Here’s to a sustainable, fashionable future full of informed choices and vibrant community discussions. Let’s do this!
Fashion is a social license for fossil fuels
Challenging the social license that fashion provides to Big Oil
Blue Ridge takes aim at microplastic pollution
Blue Ridge Home Fashions is debuting its new innovative basic bedding featuring Ciclo technology under its licensed organic Farm to Home bedding program.
Uganda bans the import of discarded clothing from Europe and the US
Uganda, an East African country, has banned the import of second-hand clothing to boost its own textile industry. President Yoweri Museveni announced the opening of a Ugandan-Chinese business park in Mbale. This move aims to help local clothing manufacturers as they have struggled to compete with the influx of cheaper second-hand clothes. Dutch news platform De Volkskrant reported the news.
An Expert in Toxic Fashion Tells Us What (Not) to Wear If You Have Eczema – Alden Wicker
Alden Wicker is an independent journalist, founder, and editor-in-chief of EcoCult, a website dedicated to informing us and guiding us around sustainable and ethical fashion. She’s also the author of “To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick — and How We can Fight Back.”
FASHIONPHILE Achieves B Corp Certification:
Their Commitment to People & Planet
Sustainable fashion? This doco shows just how hard it is
Six years ago, Amy Powney, owner of British label Mother of Pearl unpicked her business and remade it to be more environmentally responsible.
EU's Digital Product Passport Targets Sustainable Fashion
Amidst a wave of legislation aimed at rectifying eco-issues, including pollution, deforestation, and microplastics usage, the EU has introduced its Digital Product Passport(DPP) under the new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
Denim: a celebration of timeless and sustainable fashion
Woolworths' RE denim brand is leading the way with eco-conscious and socially equitable fashion practices
Embracing Upcycled And Sustainable Clothing Trends
The emergence of sustainable clothing trends is reshaping the way we perceive and consume fashion. This movement not only emphasizes creativity, but also contributes to reduce the environmental impact
Adidas Links Up With Sustainable Fashion Designers for NYC Pop-Up Featuring Upcycled Clothing
As part of its Choose to Give Back campaign, the brand is keeping the focus on sustainability with a unique pop-up experience in New York City.
Vancouver's Thheme and Fyoocher on Making a Statement With Sustainable, Upcycled Hats and Clothes
Vancouver's Thheme and Fyoocher and taking reclaimed, thrifted, and deadstock fabrics and making sustainable, standout fashion pieces that take on a new life.
Beximco CEO: Fashion is a conspiracy to make you buy clothes
Richard Quest tours one of Bangladesh's largest clothing factories with Salman Rahman and Syed Naved Husain, the heads of Beximco
Eileen Fisher’s new CEO wants you to buy fewer clothes
In an exclusive interview, Lisa Williams talks about her first year on the job at the iconic brand and how the fashion industry can clean up its act.
The Stitch Society leads Yorkshire’s events for Sustainable Fashion Week
Press Release: Award-winning workwear business The Stitch Society takes centre stage at Sustainable Fashion Week 2023
Fashion's Sustainability Tools Prop Up a Broken System
Efforts to measure the environmental impact of clothes have a fatal flaw: They don't account for overproduction, argues Beth Esponnette.
Read More (Under Paywall)
Debunking the dream: Is working in fashion going out of style?
An exclusive Vogue Business survey of more than 600 fashion professionals reveals that systemic discrimination, unsustainable lifestyles and a widespread burnout culture are spurring dissatisfaction. Without real change, the industry risks a mass talent exodus.
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.