Sustainability Pulse #90
Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring — July 26, 2024
As the Sustainability Pulse newsletter curator for over two years, I've shared my opinion pieces and the latest media headlines.
Recently, I've noticed a recurring pattern: the news often feels repetitive, with similar stories and headlines resurfacing. It's natural to wonder why this happens and if it reflects the reality of our progress.
The journey towards sustainable fashion involves gradual systemic changes, leading to repeated coverage as developments progress.
Issues like labor rights, environmental impact, and corporate transparency require ongoing attention to stay in the public eye. Media outlets often revisit popular topics to maintain awareness and engagement.
Despite the sense of monotony, it's crucial to remember that highlighting these issues consistently is essential for driving change. This week, I've focused on diversifying sources, spotlighting success stories, and providing deeper analyses to keep our conversations.
Together, let's recognize the crucial role each of us plays in staying informed and inspired as we push for a more sustainable future in fashion. Our dedication and commitment are integral to the success of our collective.
In today's newsletter, we explore whether luxury brands are finally set for a sustainability reckoning, with Italian investigations linking major players like Dior and Armani to sweatshop labor, and we look at how Nike pledged to shrink its carbon footprint but recently slashed the staff charged with making that happen. We'll also dive into the environmental impact of bed sheets dyed with harmful chemicals and how Aizome is offering a natural alternative, China's plastics boom creating new trade headaches, and Burberry's leadership overhaul in a bid to revamp the brand.
Additionally, we'll read about SHEIN's rapid growth amid ethical and regulatory concerns and much more.
Stay informed,
Vera
Is Luxury Finally Set for a Sustainability Reckoning?
Amid growing disillusionment with luxury brands, a series of Italian investigations linking major players like Dior and Armani to sweatshop labor is putting new pressure on the sector's most powerful asset: brand image.
Most Bed Sheets Are Awash in Harmful Dyes. They Don't Have to Be
The co-founder of Aizome sells sheets colored with natural dyes that won't harm your skin. Just don't call his startup a bedding company.
Nike Pledged to Shrink Its Carbon Footprint. It Just Slashed the Staff Charged With Making That Happen.
Nike Shed More Jobs Than Previously Reported, Slashed CEO Pay
China's Plastics Boom Is Set to Create Another Trade Headache
Petrochemicals have seen a dramatic expansion over past decade
Nation's excess translates into cheap exports, and Western ire
UK luxury brand Burberry gets new boss to revive revamp
In a move many in the luxury industry saw coming, Burberry has just undergone a dramatic leadership overhaul. The luxury world is closely observing this significant change, considering it a cautionary tale or a masterclass in brand reinvention.
Unfair Fashion
How long will fast fashion be able to outlast long overdue legislation?
Key Takeaways:
SHEIN's rapid growth and market dominance are fueled by its ability to quickly adapt to fashion trends, efficient shipping strategies, and low labor costs, but these practices raise ethical and regulatory concerns.
The overproduction rates and lack of transparency in the fashion industry highlight significant inefficiencies, with SHEIN claiming a lower overproduction rate compared to industry averages. Yet, overall, environmental and ethical issues remain prevalent.
How Luxury Brands Bet On Generative AI To Solve Old And New Challenges
Since its release in late 2022, ChatGPT by OpenAI has greatly impacted the world with its diverse and comprehensive responses to user queries. The Wall Street Journal reports that GenAI could double the US productivity growth rate and significantly boost global economic output after widespread adoption.
SHEIN launches €200 Million Circularity Fund in the UK and the EU and commits to investing €50 million in broader ESG efforts
SHEIN will invest in initiatives to empower British and European brands, designers, and artisans to grow their businesses online and beyond.
The flagship Circularity Fund will invest in start-ups and other businesses across the UK and EU engaged in advancing circularity solutions.
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Toxic Chemicals Found in Children's Products Sold by Shein
South Korean government testing found that some children's shoes and accessories sold by Shein, a Chinese e-commerce platform, contained phthalates at 428 times the permitted limit.
Inside Turkey's Powerful Fashion Factories
Turkish manufacturers like Kipas are harnessing vertical integration, innovation and speed-to-market to help Asos and other brands' nearshore' their supply chains and diversify away from China.
As slow fashion recedes, recycled clothing brand sees growth driven by material and supply chain innovations
Amid a wave of closures affecting sustainable clothing brands, recycled clothing company Everywhere Apparel flourishes with its proprietary, biodegradable, recycled cotton fiber system and a first-of-its-kind circular supply chain for cotton textiles.
Here's Why You Should Know How Circular Fashion Works
In a recent documentary with Coachtopia, the label gives viewers a glimpse into how they're trying to make our wardrobes more green—shouldn't the industry follow suit?
5 African and Black Fashion Icons Redefining the Industry
Is digital fashion still in fashion?
In the last couple of years, crypto has crashed, NFTs have fallen off a cliff, and metaverse mania has fizzled. We asked those working at the forefront of digital fashion about its future.
Read More
Shoe-in: Paul Andrew is the new creative director of Sergio Rossi
The designer has been tasked with reviving the legacy footwear brand after the passing of its founder in 2020.
Pingree Leads First-Ever Congressional Effort to Rein In Fast Fashion With Launch of Slow Fashion Caucus
Sustainable fashion industry leaders, including Patagonia and ThredUp, joined Reps. Pingree, Gluesenkamp Perez, and Kamlager-Dove at the Capitol on Thursday to launch the Slow Fashion Caucus
Fashion Tech: Where Couture, Coding And Law Collide
Data analytics and AI continuously redefine consumer choices, predicting options based on past likings or future trends. 3-D printing is enabling the creation of intricate designs that were previously impossible or would take very long with conventional methods.
Unveiling slow fashion: sustainability vs. greenwashing
Exploring the promise and perils of ethical consumption and environmental responsibility
Fashion Nova Under Fire for Ripping Off Designs from Black Fashion Designer Hanifa for the Second Time
US recovers $1.1m for LA garment workers amid 'wage theft' scandal
The sewing contractors in violation of the rules were named as Good Cash LLC and its associated entities, Good Cash Inc., Premium Quality Apparel LLC, and Premium Quality Apparel Inc., owned by Ramon Tecum, Marisela Romero (aka Diana Tecum), and Joseph Delao
The Impact Fashion Week Has On Consumerism
For Zillennials with access to social media and seeing the newest trends, consumerism affects their relationship with fashion. According to a survey conducted by Fashion Revolution, eight percent of people aged 16-24 say they only wear clothes that are 'in fashion' compared to four percent of respondents across all countries.
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Fast Fashion: How It Impacts Retail Manufacturing
The fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic meters of water per year.
It takes 3,781 liters of water to make one pair of jeans.
Of all the wastewater in the world, 20% is from textile dyeing and is highly toxic—many countries where clothes are made have reduced or zero regulations for wastewater disposal.
Microplastic fibers used in clothing make their way to the ocean, amounting to about 500,000 tons—close to 50 billion plastic bottles.
Fashion manufacturing emits more than 10% of global carbon emissions.
4 innovations helping the fashion industry embrace the circular economy
This article was first published in April 2024 and updated in July 2024.
Global sales of 'pre-loved' clothing look set to account for 10% of global fashion industry sales in 2024.
Price and sustainability concerns and the growth of online retail have seen second-hand clothing sales soar in recent years.
The World Economic Forum's UpLink innovators are developing ways to boost the fashion industry's circular economy.
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.