Sustainability Pulse #82
Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring — April 22th , 2024
Hello, and welcome to a very special edition of my newsletter!
Today is not only my birthday, but it's also a day close to my heart, a time to reflect on our commitments, —it's Earth Day! 🎉🌍 As we celebrate this meaningful occasion, I'm excited to share with you some updates and insights into the world of sustainable fashion.
In this issue, we delve into the impacts of fast fashion, spotlight innovative solutions that promote less consumption, and explore significant initiatives towards a circular economy in the textile and fashion sectors. From revolutionary manual washing machines for communities abroad to toxic chemicals lurking in our everyday products and the promising new EU strategies against fashion's environmental toll, there's a lot to unpack!
Our journey towards sustainable practices is more critical than ever, and your engagement means the world.
Let's continue to push for change, inspire awareness, and celebrate our steps towards a more responsible future.
Thank you for joining me on this special day and every day in our shared mission for a better planet.
Enjoy reading! 💚
Rebroadcast: How fast fashion and social media fuel a high consumption, low quality world
TikTok is full of influencers posting “fashion hauls,” unpacking huge boxes of cheap polyester clothing.
This clever new tool will help you buy fewer clothes
Eileen Fisher has vowed to reduce overconsumption. Now, the brand is making good on its promise.
Banning fast fashion, then what?
Light on details and high on buzz might not be the best regulatory approach.
Manual washing machines to be given to thousands abroad
Ten thousand people in low-income and displaced communities abroad will be given manually operated washing machines, designed by a former student at the University of Bath.
“Forever Chemicals” Called PFAS Show Up in Your Food, Clothes, and Home
These toxic chemicals are so common in consumer products and manufacturing that they’re everywhere—including inside our bodies.
195 million to promote the circular economy in the textile, fashion and plastic sectors
The objective is to finance projects and actions that contribute substantially to the transition towards a circular economy in the textile and fashion and plastic sectors. Specifically, in the field of research and development, digitalisation to innovate in terms of processes and organisation, increasing the level of environmental protection, and improving waste management.
Fashion Revolution Week 2024: How Everyone Can Pay a Part!
Now operational in over 75 countries, the Fashion Revolution Movement is working hard to prove that ethical and sustainable practices in the fashion industry are critically important.
Why You Should Be Wary of Toxic Printed Fashion
If you hope to get plastic, PVC, and phthalates out of your life (or out of your fashion brand), you can’t forget printed fashion. Promo t-shirts, baby onesies with cute phrases, and college sweatshirts—many of these printed fashion pieces are made with toxic materials.
Crew wants to turn your old swimsuits into new ones
J. Crew is partnering with SuperCircle to recycle old swimwear into fibers for new clothing.
SUSTAINABLE BRANDS THAT ARE MAKING POSITIVE CHANGE WITH THE GROWING OF ENVIRONMENT CONSCIOUSNESS
Many sustainable brands have created a positive change in a time of growing environmental consciousness and a pressing need for responsible consumption. This 2024 we find some sustainable brands on the runway and in shops. Even though some are making a start, we are hoping that this initial action can grow and further an awareness of the environment.
Upcycle Design: Good Threads Revolutionizes The Urban Wardrobe
5 Takeaways From the New EU Circular Fashion Strategy
On December 5, 2023, the European Union (EU) announced new rules to tackle environmental challenges caused by the fashion industry – the world’s third most polluting industry after fossil fuels and agriculture. The industry emits 10% of the world’s total annual carbon emissions and is expected to emit a quarter of global emissions by 2050.
The impact of textile production and waste on the environment (infographics)
With fast fashion, the quantity of clothes produced and thrown away has boomed. Find out more about the environmental impact and what the EU is doing about it.
Made in Iowa: Des Moines fashion tech company bridging 2 worlds
When most people think of the fashion industry, their minds may wander to places like New York City or Los Angeles. But, one thriving company is based in Des Moines.
Europe's dustbin
The fashion industry is one of the most polluting in the world. New players in ultra-fast fashion are overturning an already saturated market, and African countries have become our open-air dustbins.
Read More (available in Dutch, French and English)
The problem with disposable fashion
If fast fashion companies are struggling to be more environmentally conscious, there must be other ways the fashion industry can be more sustainable. Journal spoke to people in the field about the possibilities.
Material World: Aware Debuts Acrylic Alternative, Spuds Spun Into Style
From the company behind traceability technology purveyor Aware comes Polylana, a versatile, traceable and 100 percent recyclable fiber. The Amsterdam-based brand announced the launch of an enhanced version of its vegan fiber with the sustainable and recycled content going up from 50 percent to 90 percent.
Pangaia’s MoMA Pop-Up Pays Tribute to Yoko Ono
It’s a line Yoko Ono wrote in 1964, long before John Lennon quoted it in 1980, and the phrase gained mainstream relevance. But today—60 years later—Pangaia is bringing the notion to life.
Can Fashion Kick Its Virgin Synthetics Addiction?
The future of synthetics in fashion—think polyester, acrylic, nylon and elastane—isn’t zeroing out synthetics altogether, a new report from Textile Exchange claims.
Experts Weigh in on AI-Generated Substitutes for Fashion Models
Artificial intelligence is now reportedly affecting fashion models, for better or for worse, as some AI-generated fashion models are acting as stand-ins for real-life models in photoshoots.
Richemont scraps agreement to sell online retailer YNAP to Farfetch
Richemont, which numbers jeweler Cartier and Swiss watch brands Piaget and IWC among its brands, had originally made a deal to offload an initial 47.5%% stake in YNAP to Farfetch in 2022.
What It Takes to Become A FASHIONPHILE Master Authenticator
FASHIONPHILE Acquires Two Authenticators Inc. Business
The Technology team advised FASHIONPHILE Group on its purchase of the business and assets of Two Authenticators and its subsidiaries, a Montreal-based wholesale distributor of authenticated, pre-owned luxury vintage.
The RealReal, Inc. (NASDAQ:REAL) Receives Average Rating of "Hold" from Brokerages
Analysts gave their opinions on RealReal. Needham & Company rated it a "buy" and set a $6.00 price target on March 1st. UBS Group raised their price target from $2.30 to $3.70 and rated it "neutral" on Friday. Robert W. Baird rated it "neutral" and set a $2.75 price target on January 4th (previously $3.25).
Exploring the influence of social media on sustainable fashion consumption: A systematic literature review and future research agenda
This study examines how social media affects sustainable fashion consumption among younger generations. The systematic literature review offers an overview of current knowledge and highlights social media's potential to promote sustainable fashion consumption patterns. The study suggests future research should explore the ongoing evolution of technology and social media platforms and include perspectives from the Global South.
Max Azzarello, man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial court, dies.
LVMH shares rise after luxury giant's Q1 sales offer element of reassurance
PARIS, April 17 (Reuters) - LVMH (LVMH.PA), opens new tab shares rose on Wednesday, after first quarter sales figures from the world's largest luxury group offered an element of reassurance to investors concerned about the industry's outlook, particularly in China.
Louis Vuitton Owner LVMH Posts Lower Revenue Amid Luxury Slowdown
The geopolitical and economic environment remains uncertain, company says
Did you catch the two perspectives on LVMH in the two headlines provided earlier? One headline focused on the positive market reaction to LVMH’s first-quarter sales, while the other highlighted the decline in revenue and challenging market conditions in the luxury sector.
Do you think LVMH's performance was affected by the wider economic or market trends?
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.