Sustainability Pulse #95
Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring — September 19, 2024
Welcome to this week's edition of Sustainability Pulse! We're tackling the constant dilemma of overconsumption and its impact on the planet.
While many brands talk a big game about sustainability, the truth is, we're still caught in a cycle of "more, more, more"—and it's taking a toll. Fast fashion giants are pushing air shipping costs through the roof, microplastic pollution is making its way into our bodies, and even recycling programs can't keep up with the sheer volume of waste.
As consumers, we're more concerned about climate change than ever, yet businesses often focus on getting us to buy sustainably rather than helping us live sustainably. There's a growing disconnect, and it's clear that true sustainability isn't just about what we buy—it's about reducing how much we consume in the first place.
This week's stories dive into these challenges, from brands like Steve Madden offering take-back programs to fashion's ongoing struggle with synthetic fibers.
Let's explore real progress and how we can make meaningful changes, starting with consuming less, not just differently.
Happy reading.
Christian Siriano Sent Textile Waste Down the Runway at New York Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2025
People are curious about Shein's design competition. Christian Siriano, Jenna Lyons, and Law Roach have been announced as judges. There are questions about why they're working with a fast-fashion giant known for its wasteful and unethical practices. The designer explains his partnership with Circ in an exclusive interview with Teen Vogue but nothing on his past scandalous news.
Kim Kardashian, Lauren Sánchez get into high-powered Balenciaga bidding war at star-studded NYC charity dinner
Balenciaga is back a year after triggering one of the biggest scandals in fashion history. Is cancel culture really efficient, or is it another marketing gimmick?
From Sustainability Commitments to Impact: Four Pragmatic Questions for Visionary CEOs
Amid competing priorities, CEOs and consumers still say sustainability matters. By acting now, companies can set the stage for profitable growth.
The Sustainability Puzzle: What Do Consumers Really Want?
How businesses can unlock the challenge of helping consumers live sustainably.
In our global study, roughly 60% of consumers say their concerns about climate change have increased in the past two years.
The best companies will develop solutions that help consumers live more sustainably, not just buy more sustainably.
Companies can't market "sustainability" as a single concept or address consumers as a monolithic group, but value can be created by targeting specific customer segments with category-relevant claims.
Packaging and recyclability have surfaced as key concerns for consumers.
Fashion and Luxury
In a world governed by trends, stay ahead of the trends that matter most.
Steve Madden offers e-commerce credit for recycling old apparel, footwear
The brand has partnered with Trashie on a recycling and take-back program.
Allbirds CEO: 'Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste'
Six months into the top job, retail veteran Joe Vernachio shares his plans for the San Francisco sneaker brand. He insists it's not a turnaround job.
Fast Fashion's Rise Pushes Up Air Shipping Costs for Everyone Else
Chinese e-commerce powerhouses Shein and Temu are doing so much overseas business they've driven air cargo rates through the stratosphere, leaving less space or capacity for other companies to ship supplies and products from China.
Walmart is Relaunching a Private-Label Fashion Brand to Target Gen-Z Consumers
The fashion line is revamping its products and style to keep up with Gen Z's preferences and spending habits.
Sustainable fashion is getting harder, not easier, for designers
The shutterings of two beloved sustainable labels says more about the state of the industry than the businesses themselves.
Why Ebay is showing secondhand fashion on the runway
Ebay is hoping to make pre-loved fashion more aspirational by joining the New York and London schedules. How does itcontribute to the bigger picture of building a circular economy for all?
Antitrust Regulations Close In On E-Commerce And The Frontier Of Worker Protections Continues To Shift
The European Union's top court secures a win in its long-running effort to regulate the technology sector - this time in eCommerce - while a key piece of labour legislation for the fashion industry is on the verge of becoming law, with implications for AI and much more.
Origin of Material Matters: Isotopic vs DNA Testing for Cotton Traceability
With regulatory compliance and brand reputation hanging in the balance, brands are embracing scientific methods to substantiate their country-of-origin claims with science-backed data. Forensic science techniques like isotopic testing and data analysis could be the key to meeting tougher regulatory standards and growing consumer expectations for physical proof of sustainable and ethical sourcing.
NATURAL FIBRES INSIGHT, ISSUE 2, OUT NOW: Silk is a key theme of the 2nd issue of our free digital and print publication, Natural Fibres Insight.
The fight against fast fashion's environmental toll in Kenya
There is a growing demand for eco-friendly, ethical clothing, particularly in regions like Africa, where the shift toward sustainability is still in its early stages. Despite Africa's deep-rooted traditions of slow fashion, modern fast fashion trends threaten these cultural practices.
Underconsumption Core: A New Trend Challenging Consumer Culture
A TikTok trend called "underconsumption core" has gained traction online. This trend champions minimalism and frugality and encourages people to maximize the utility of their purchases and buy only what they truly need, challenging the culture of consumerism.
Modern secondhand clothes are often considered 'dirty' but vintage garments aren't – certain assumptions limit sustainable fashion
Although both pre-loved modern and vintage lingerie have been worn, perceptions of their cleanliness differs radically.
Do Mass Brands Need Creative Directors?
This week, Uniqlo appointed Clare Waight Keller the creative director of its main line, while Stefano Pilati signed on for a collection with Inditex flagship Zara and Zac Posen staged a New York Fashion Week bash with Old Navy. The jury is still out on whether hiring designers from high fashion will drive retail results.
Zara to offer its secondhand clothes service in US by October
London Fashion Week opens with party and second-hand runways
University of Brighton graduate sustainable fashion project
A university graduate's project has made a bid to turn millions of wasted courier uniforms into sustainable and fashionable bags.
'Profit is being prioritised over climate action' – British fashion is falling behind on sustainability
A new report claims that fewer than 4% of London fashion week designers have published emissions reduction targets, compared with 44% of all UK companies. Why is the industry so slow to reform?
FASHION REIMAGINED: PALACE CINEMAS AT CENTRAL PARK
HOST: BOOMERANG LABS
WHERE: TUESDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER, 6:00 PM PALACE CINEMAS CENTRAL
3/28 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008
$25.00 AUD Admission + $2.00 booking fee = $27.00
*This screening has a Q&A session.
Faster fashion: growing use of polluting textiles revealed
Major brands like Zara, SHEIN, Boohoo, and Lululemon are increasing their reliance on polluting synthetic fibres, worsening the environmental impact of fast fashion.
Fashion brands shift responsibility for microplastic pollution onto buyers, recommending washing machine filters or care instructions instead of addressing the root cause.
Microplastics, which also come from synthetic fibres, are now being found in human organs, raising alarming health concerns for the public.
Fashion's Plastic Paralysis: How Brands Resist Change and Fuel Microplastic Pollution
SEPTEMBER 2024 REPORT
The fashion and textile industries heavily rely on synthetic fibers derived from fossil fuels, making up 69% of textile production, expected to rise to 73% by 2030. A recent investigation found that 67% of clothing items from global fashion brands contain synthetic materials. The extensive use of synthetics has severe environmental consequences, contributing significantly to waste and plastic pollution while keeping the fashion industry reliant on fossil fuels. Polyester, the most commonly used synthetic fiber, accounts for 125 million tonnes of CO2e emissions in 2022 alone.
Biden Takes Aim at China's Temu and Shein With Trade Crackdown
A move by the Biden administration will block many imports from using a trade provision critics say is being unfairly abused.
Lululemon has no place in an MRI suite, doc warns
A board-certified neurosurgeon is warning patients to think twice about what they're wearing when undergoing an MRI scan.
UKFT offers fashion, textile SMEs chance to influence EPR policy
The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) has announced a new competition for two fashion and textile small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK to participate in a three-month project aimed at developing a balanced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fee system.
Microplastics in Our Brains: The Dark Side of Fast Fashion
In our rapidly evolving world, convenience and affordability often overshadow health and environmental consciousness. This is especially true in the fashion industry, where the race for the cheapest, trendiest, and fastest clothing leads us to an abyss filled with hazardous, invisible particles—microplastics. A recent report by *The Guardian* highlights a terrifying reality: microplastics are not only invading our oceans, our air, and our food but also our brains, leading to potentially irreversible health damage. The implications are profound and urgent, prompting a critical examination of our consumption habits, particularly regarding fashion.
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.