Sustainability Pulse #89
Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring — July 8, 2024
This edition covers a range of exciting topics, from brands making bold sustainability claims to Grove Collaborative's challenges in becoming plastic-free by 2025.
We'll look at a student designer's knitwear collection honoring AIDS epidemic victims, Walmart's potentially game-changing $12.98 American-made T-shirt, and the rise of AI in fashion.
Plus, we can read about the European Union's new customs duties on fast-fashion giants like Shein and Temu and the ongoing impact of deadly heatwaves on fashion manufacturing in Asia.
Let's dive into these updates and see how they shape the future of sustainable fashion!
Greenwashing Alert: Can Fabrics Be Naturally Antimicrobial?
Have you seen the brands claiming that their sheets or t-shirts are made from a “naturally” antibacterial or antimicrobial fiber
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Grove Collaborative planned to be plastic-free by 2025. Now, it’s sharing why that won’t happen (Exclusive)
The sustainable e-commerce company has long been vocal about its goal of being 100% plastic-free—but getting there is harder than initially expected.
Student Designer's Knitwear Collection Honors AIDS Epidemic Victims
A University of Westminster, MA Menswear student, has launched a heartfelt knitwear capsule collection in collaboration with Knitup. Inspired by 1970s and 80s gay culture and the AIDS epidemic, the collection combines themes of HIV and intimacy with a message to "HUG MORE."
The Knitup platform provided an intuitive and budget-friendly design experience, allowing students to explore sustainable materials and creatively address important social issues. Notably, 5% of profits from the collection will be donated to the London charity @positive, which supports HIV education and stigma eradication.
The student expressed gratitude to Knitup and all supporters, highlighting the project's significance and impact on their growth as a designer.
This $12.98 Walmart T-shirt could change the fashion industry
Fast fashion forced brands to race to the bottom on price and quality. Walmart is now launching an American-made T-shirt that will cost a little more.
EU to target Shein and Temu with customs duty
BRUSSELS—The European Union (EU) is preparing to implement customs duties on inexpensive goods purchased from Chinese online retailers such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress, according to the Financial Times and confirmed by three individuals familiar with the situation.
Later this month, the European Commission is expected to propose eliminating the current threshold of 150 euros (US$161), under which items can be bought duty-free.
Read More (Under Paywall)
Analysing AI with Ivan Volchenskov of NewArc.ai
NewArc.ai’s Co-founder on the parallels between AI adoption across fashion, automotive and industrial design - and how NewArc is creating AI applications that have deep domain capabilities necessary for fashion.
What Happens When It’s Too Hot to Make Fashion?
The deadly heatwaves that have swept manufacturing hubs across Asia in recent months highlight a challenge the fashion industry is not prepared for.
At Oeko-Tex, Unpacking Fashion’s Future of Sustainability
The textile and leather certification company allows fashion brands to signpost how they comply with environmental requirements through its modular certification system. Here, interim CEO Dr. Stefan Droste discusses the role transparency and certification play in fashion today and how businesses can stay ahead of regulatory change.
‘In Business to Save the Planet’: The Patagonia Paradox
While many business leaders discuss "stakeholder capitalism," where enterprises serve society, the dominant principle in most boardrooms is still shareholder supremacy. This often means selling more products to more people, more frequently, leading to excessive consumption and environmental damage. Patagonia, founded by environmentalist Yvon Chouinard, advocates for "conscious capitalism," aiming to balance profit with purpose.
Fashion’s AI Dilemma Is Getting Worse
Baggu and Collina Strada are the most recent targets of ire among consumers opposed to the use of generative AI designs, and they won’t be the last. What does it mean for an industry that has already embraced the innovation with open arms?
What to Know About the Balenciaga Ad Scandal
In 2022, an ad campaign featuring children holding teddy bears in bondage harnesses and costumes embroiled both Balenciaga and its designer, Demna, in controversy. Since then, the company has been on an arduous journey toward rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, toxic chemicals in Shein products won’tbe the tipping point for consumers of fast fashion
Environmental and ethical issues may not be the primary concern for some fast-fashion consumers. But will health risks from exposure to chemicals like phthalates be enough to change behavior? NUS Business School’s Joe Escobedo weighs in.
Health Benefits of Wearing Natural Fabrics
I swear, I’m not a clothing snob. By any means. The extent of my fashion sense is what I can find at thrift stores – or if I’m feeling exceptionally splurgy, I’ll rummage around the clearance racks of a Forever 21.
Checking in on Ganni's ambitious sustainability strategy
Nobody said reducing your impact was easy.
Social Media Opportunities For Brands and Creators, And Fashion’s Ambivalent Relationship With AI Continues
Social media platforms are evolving to cater to the growing demands of businesses and creators alike, offering diverse opportunities for monetization and audience engagement. Consumer uproar around a recent fashion collaboration reveals fashion's mixed feelings about AI.
How Fashionphile is using data to scale its resale shops
For years, the luxury resale platform Fashionphile has sold bags, jewelry, and watches via its website, showrooms in San Diego and New York City, and shop-in-shops at Neiman Marcus. Now, the company is opening two permanent stores as it looks to establish a firmer footing in physical retail.
In data: South Korea, Singapore ‘most willing’ to pay for sustainable fashion
New research from Vlerick Business School found that South Korea and Singapore consumers showed the highest willingness to pay for brands that prioritise "sustainability and inclusivity."
From ‘shrimp leather’ to synthetic dye, are biomaterials finally ready to scale up?
Seymourpowell’s Caroline Jacob on the power of biotech and how it can transform materials.
California set to advance the Responsible Textile Recovery Act
This legislation mandates producers to create and fund programs for reusing, repairing, and recycling clothing and textile fibers. The Act also aims to help secondhand retailers by encouraging them to use materials that are easier to recycle and more sustainable.
Vera
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