Sustainability Pulse #87
Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring — June 16, 2024
Hey there, green warriors! 🌿
Welcome to another edition of our weekly newsletter. This week, I've got some intriguing stories for you.
First up, despite reaching a historic milestone, the NY Fashion Act has been put on pause. Could you find out what this means for the fashion industry's future?
Ever wonder how to limit your exposure to microplastics? I've got some practical tips from the experts.
Louis Vuitton faces criticism for alleged cultural appropriation in a controversial move. Check out the article for an in-depth look at the situation and the response from Romania's Minister of Culture.
Plus, discover how ReCircle aims to tackle textile waste in India and read about Patagonia's unexpected microplastic problem.
'Today We Rest': NY Fashion Act Gets Timed Out Despite 'Historic' Milestone
Despite squeezing past the New York State Assembly's Ways and Means Committee in the final hours of Albany's legislative session on Friday, the bill formally known as the Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act didn't get to the floor in time for a vote.
How to limit microplastic exposure in your daily life
'The less processed, the less plastic,' professor says
Louis Vuitton accused of cultural appropriation of Romanian blouse
Minister of culture says she will ask French fashion house to acknowledge heritage after it produced similar garment.
ReCircle Wants to Close the Loop in India
The global textile industry is responsible for roughly 92 million tons of waste. Approximately 8.5 percent of that waste ends up in India, with only 59 percent finding its way back into the industry
Patagonia's Major Microplastic Problem
The outdoor gear brand has long been heralded as proof that a for-profit company can balance consumerism and environmentalism. Then themicrofibers were found.
The Lost Potential of Unfinished Innovation: Lessons for the Fashion Industry
In the fast-paced world of the fashion industry, innovation is often chased with great enthusiasm.
Vestiaire Collective partners with Sojo
The luxury resale platform Vestiaire Collective is partnering with clothing repair and alteration service Sojo.
Should fashion suppliers bear the cost of becoming more sustainable?
The European Union's wave of sustainable fashion legislation will have huge implications for suppliers, but compliance will require a change in how the industry operates.
The Art of Thrifting: Unlocking Sustainable Fashion's Hidden Gem
Thrifting is a timeless and sustainable alternative to fast fashion, celebrating individuality, creativity, and environmental consciousness. It offers a unique fashion experience by unearthing vintage pieces with stories to tell, reducing waste, and promoting sustainability. It invites creativity, embraces imperfections, and builds connections.
Chemicals in Our Garments? What Chemicals?
Recently, the South Korean government unearthed some unsettling data showing that children's wear products from SHEIN had toxic substances at levels way beyond what's considered safe.
Notts charity launches sustainable fashion fundraising to end homelessness.
Framework has launched Framework Fashion – a new online fashion store selling a bespoke range of T-shirts, hoodies, jumpers and bags - to support its work with homeless and vulnerable people.
Cotton Club achieves LEED Gold certificate from USGBC
In 2006, Cotton Club (BD) Ltd started producing goods for sale. Knitting, dying, cutting, printing, stitching, and finishing are all vertically integrated within Cotton Club (BD) Ltd's manufacturing process.
Cotton Club recently finished a thorough evaluation of the project certification and performance data, according to the US Green Building Council (USGBC), and was awarded the certification.
The meditative power of knitting
In walking meditation, you focus on your steps, letting everything else go. Knitting is the same: knit one, purl one, knit one, purl one. Thoughtfully and with focus one stitch at a time.
MIT's robot arm can tailor a dress using computerized knitting and heat-activated yarns
Led by Sasha MicKinlay, a recent graduate of the MIT Department of Architecture, in collaboration with fashioncompany Ministry of Supply, 4D Knit Dress can generate clothing that fits the wearer by sculpting the garment around their body and using a robot arm that blows dry the heat-activated yarn to style the fabric.
Rich People Are Fueling Climate Catastrophe — But Not Mostly Because of Their Consumption
Rich people have enormous carbon footprints. But the fundamental problem with their climate impact isn't what they consume — it's that they own the means of production, and it's highly profitable for them to pollute.
The State of the Ecommerce Fashion Industry: Statistics, Trends & Strategies to Use in 2024
The ecommerce fashion industry is changing drastically. Here are the trends, strategies, and data you need to know in 2024.
Your old towels can get a second life: Parachute's new take-back program aims to accelerate fabric recycling
Parachute is partnering with SuperCircle to recycle home textiles.
Elsa Leydier x Cap_able Design | FIREFLIES IN THE ALGORITHM
💭 Did you know that facial recognition cameras are surrounding, even at major events like the Olympics? When you are cheering for your favorite athletes in Paris, these cameras will keep an eye on you.
Toxic substances found in Shein clothing
Children's clothing items sold by Chinese fast fashion brand Shein contained toxic substances at levels hundreds of times above permitted limits. Toxic substances up to 428 times permitted levels were found in children's shoes, bags, and a belt in tests carried out by the government of South Korea.
GLOBAL SECONDHAND APPAREL MARKET TO HIT $350 BILLION BY 2028, ACCORDING TO NEW REPORT
A new report from Thredup found that the global secondhand apparel market will continue to balloon, reaching as much as $350 billion in merchandise value by 2028, at a CAGR of 12% per year.
Urban Outfitters is expanding its vintage fashion business
Under the new structure, the Urban Outfitters online store will introduce two new sections: Vintage and Remade. Vintage products are authentic vintage finds, discovered and curated into limited-edition collections by Urban Outfitters' in-house merchandising team and outside collaborators.
EU Policy. Governments call for crackdown on 'fast fashion' ahead of key vote
France is one of a quartet of EU countries calling for legislation allowing for additional levies on clothing companies who use a cheap 'fast fashion' marketing strategy
The ethical dilemma of shopping at Primark: a closer look
Shopping at Primark, however affordable, casts a long shadow over efforts to combat climate change and promote ethical labor practices.
AI and Data Highlighted as the Future of Fashion During PI Apparel in L.A.
PI Apparel West Coast visited Los Angeles recently when parent company Market Key hosted the event at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel.
Dolce & Gabbana Hit With Lawsuit Over Alleged NFT "Rug Pull" Scheme
Dolce & Gabbana is facing a proposed class action lawsuit for allegedly violating federal securities laws by way of its now-defunct DGFamily non-fungible token ("NFT") project.
Boohoo investors launch modern slavery lawsuit
Law firm Fox Williams has filed a lawsuit against the Boohoo Group on behalf of a group of 49 institutional investors who purchased shares in the run-up to the controversy and subsequently suffered "huge losses" when Boohoo's value dropped by more than £1 billion ($1.3bn).
Levi Strauss Ends Lawsuit Against Italy's Brunello Cucinelli Over Trademarked Tab
Levi notified a federal judge in Oakland, California on Tuesday that it dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be brought again. Settlement talks began shortly after Levi sued in January.
Dior Subsidiary Under Administration After Italian Labor Probe
On Monday, a Milanese court ordered that Manufacturers Dior be placed under judicial administration for one year, similar to Giorgio Armani Operations in April and Alviero Martini in January.
Academic Insights: Where 3D And DPC Meet Sustainability
Far from being passive participants, the next generation of fashion talent is not only acquiring hybrid physical and digital skills, but also proactively planning for how those skills and tools can be deployed to change the industry from the inside.
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.