Sustainability Pulse #83
Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring — July 6th, 2023
Dear stylish-friends-of-the-environment,
Welcome back to my latest newsletter, the go-to spot for all things fashion and sustainability!
In this issue, i've got a bit of everything. From some unfortunate news in Taiwan to the inspiring voices shouting out for more sustainable practices, i've got it covered. We're looking into the U.N.'s call to the fashion industry to cut back on overconsumption and even chatting about how the tween girl trends are seeping into adult fashion.
And it's getting wild as Banana Republic goes back to its safari roots! Meanwhile, big names like Puma and Collina Strada are getting onboard with the GFA Designer Challenge 2023 to champion responsible fashion.
On the business side of things, i've got some cool updates. The Web3 Fashion Platform SYKY is launching an incubator for up-and-coming digital designers, Kenyan startup ShopZetu is gearing up for expansion, and Ajio Street in India is shaking things up with its low-cost model. Although, it's not all sunshine and rainbows, as fast-fashion giant Shein has been facing some heat lately.
To wrap things up, we're celebrating some big wins for sustainability with Europe's plan to ban the destruction of unsold textiles and Material Exchange's new 'Deadstock Depot' initiative.
So, get comfy, grab your cuppa, and let's get stuck into this fashion feast!
2 Dead After Taiwanese Textile Factory Fire
Chemical fire, explosion reported at Chung Shing Textile Factory in Taoyuan's Yangmei District
107 Sian Sutherland – plastic is last century's material – what's next?
Sian Sutherland, co-founder of A Plastic Planet, tells Catherine Weetman why there are compelling reasons to design plastic out of our lives and how PlasticFree.com helps us do that…
U.N. Environment Releases' Sustainable Fashion Playbook,' Says Industry Must Eradicate Overconsumption, Newness
The "do's" and "don'ts" of sustainable fashion, per the U.N. Environment Program.
Barbie, mermaids, and Taylor Swift: Welcome to Tween Girl Summer
Adults are unabashedly embracing hot pink, sparkles, and friendship bracelets. Here's why tween girl culture has suddenly gone mainstream.
Banana Republic returns to its safari roots. Why aren't people mad?
After years of selling drab workwear, the fashion brand is re-embracing its controversial history with a jet-setting, world-conquering, colonial-inspired look.
Puma, Collina Strada rise to GFA designer challenge to redefine responsible fashion
The Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) has announced the participation of renowned fashion brands Puma and Collina Strada in the GFA Designer Challenge 2023, just ahead of the Global Fashion Summit.
Policy to take centre stage at Global Fashion Summit 2023 in Denmark
The upcoming Global Fashion Summit 2023, presented by the GFA, will focus on policy with the theme 'Ambition to Action.'
Highlights of the summit comprise the 'Policy Power' keynote, a case study on textile waste, and a roundtable on policy.
Other features include a debate on sustainability communication and talks on the GFA's CEO Agenda.
Web3 Fashion Platform SYKY Launches Incubator for Emerging Digital Designers
The Seven Seven Six-backed SYKY platform will work with a group of 10 digital designers to grow their skills in the year-long incubator program.
ShopZetu raises pre-seed funding to fuel the growth of its fashion marketplace beyond Kenya
Kenyan fashion e-commerce startup ShopZetu is set to add beauty and home décor categories to its portfolio in response to the growing needs of the young and style-conscious women in Africa. This is as it currently scales regionally over the next few months while working to attract international fashion brands and more than triple the number of vendors on its platform to 1,000.
Ambani's Reliance targets Indian fashion e-commerce with low-cost model
Reliance Industries, run by India's richest man Mukesh Ambani, is gearing up to deploy a winning strategy from its past playbook for the fashion market: low-cost products.
Ajio, Reliance's retail fashion arm, has quietly launched Ajio Street. The platform boasts a vast selection of clothing and accessories, starting from a price point as low as 199 Indian rupees ($2.4). According to Ajio's website, Street guarantees the "lowest price" for its offerings, waives delivery charges, and promises a straightforward returns process.
Shein Takes Influencers on Factory 'Tour'
A group of influencers is facing heat online for framing Shein, the Chinese fast-fashion company best known for its labor abuses and environmental destruction, as an ethical company. This past week, several influencers posted footage on their social media accounts of what appears to be a Shein-sponsored brand trip to some of the company's China-based warehouses.
This 27-year-old CEO wants to build an adaptive clothing empire
Erica Cole talks about how her startup No Limits designs new clothing lines based on the very specific needs of communities with disabilities.
Rihanna Steps Down as CEO at Her Savage X Fenty Lingerie Brand
The billionaire beauty magnate is passing off the work (work, work) to Hillary Super, the former chief executive of Anthropologie Group. Super, who has also held leadership positions at Guess, American Eagle, Gap, and Old Navy, told Vogue that she was thrilled to be joining Savage X Fenty as CEO and board member next week.
How Rihanna's Savage X Fenty brand scored in ethical business practices
Savage X Fenty's sales are enjoying a spike after Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime show, but how do their ethical business practices stack up?
Casablanca names former Stella McCartney exec as first CEO
Frederick Lukoff will work alongside the brand's founder, Charaf Tajer, to prepare it for the next stage of growth.
No More Burning Clothes: Destruction of Unsold Textiles To Be Banned in Europe
With nearly six million tons of textiles discarded every year in Europe, the industry has the fourth highest impact on the environment and climate change, after food, housing and mobility.
Paris Fashion Week colored by scandal and grief
Paris (AFP) – Paris Fashion Week launched on Monday with touches of scandal and grief, as Balenciaga tries to move past recent controversies while Vivienne Westwood and Paco Rabanne hold their first shows since their founders' deaths.
Sustainable Apparel Coalition Launches 2022 Annual Report
The Sustainable Apparel Coalition has released its 2022 Annual Report, showcasing progress towards a responsible apparel and footwear industry. The SAC is focused on collaboration and using harmonized tools to create positive change.
Asia's largest metaverse platform has a big fashion opportunity
Korean tech giant Naver has set its sights on global expansion to compete against US rivals' virtual worlds. It's positioning its metaverse platform Zepeto as an online destination for brands looking to reach Gen Z.
Fair Thread: Policy Recommendations for a Sustainable Textile Industry
Small fashion businesses have solutions for sustainability, fairness, and transparency, but they are often excluded from policy discussions. A White Paper proposes a new approach that focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to address challenges in the garment and textile sector. This includes fair wages, transparency, trading practices, and public procurement.
Transparency, Trust, and Trends: Unraveling FARFETCH's Conscious Luxury Report
Learn about sustainable fashion trends in FARFETCH's report. Consumers are more conscious of sustainable practices and interested in sustainable products, with 39% intentionally researching and buying "Conscious" items. Second Life, FARFETCH's resale service, generates loyalty and higher customer spending.
Material Exchange launches Deadstock Depot
Material Exchange has launched a service called the 'Deadstock Depot' to help brands use surplus materials in their supply chain. This initiative aims to reduce the amount of waste produced by the fashion industry and promote a more sustainable and circular approach.
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.
While we're at it, let's make sure these are hitting your primary inbox.
Gmail users: Move this email to your Primary Tab (drag-and-drop on Desktop, three dots on Mobile) and add me, sustainabilityp@substack.com, to your contacts.
Apple mail users: Tap on the email address at the top of this message and select "Add to VIPs."
Using Outlook, Yahoo, Hotmail, or something else? Find instructions here.
Taking a few minutes to do this will ensure you always take advantage of greatness.
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.