Icarus Complex Magazine’s Post

Amid growing concerns about the textile industry’s environmental impact, there is pressure to find greener clothes for your wardrobe, from work blazers to smart casual hoodies. Unfortunately, fashion greenwashing makes it harder for you and all other consumers to figure out which clothing brands offer the most eco-friendly garments. So, we had to ask: Which are the most sustainable hoodie brands? 👇 https://lnkd.in/gST6M-zM Happy Earth Apparel, PANGAIA, Patagonia, tentree, Colorful Standard, Girlfriend Collective, Paka Apparel, Pact, Threads 4 Thought #sustainableliving #hoodie #hodiebrands #ecofriendlyfashion #sustainableclothing

Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions, and are buying fewer, but better quality clothes. They are choosing #sustainable #brands that act to reduce their environmental impact in a transparent way. What is the role of sustainable clothing labels in the fashion industry? #Indet #sustainablelabelling #labels #ecofriendlylabels #sustainablelabels

🌀 Speed of cycles (series in collaboration with Ludovic Gaudard) ❓ The absurdity of ultra-fast fashion ❓ Instagram and TikTok facilitated the breakaway of ultra-fast fashion from seasonal cycles on which the traditional fashion industry was based. E-commerce made shipping and returns seamless. It has devastating environmental and social consequences. The number of times a garment is worn has declined by around 36% in 15 years. No one knows exactly how many clothes are made! About 100 billion garments a year, in 2014, before the rise of the likes of SHEIN and Boohoo, according to a McKinsey report. So it's hard to determine the amount of “unnecessary” clothes because necessity is subjective. However, global production of textiles each year reached a record of 116 million tons in 2022, and we know that 92 million tonnes end up in landfills. That’s an 80% waste. It’s a fact to keep in mind while looking at the costs: ·     Enormous carbon footprint - 10% of global carbon emissions - due to energy-intensive manufacturing and shipping. ·     Massive water consumption: cotton cultivation requires the most significant freshwater withdrawal, and textile dyeing is the second-largest contributor to water pollution globally ·     Significant marine pollution: 35% of the microplastics in the ocean (tiny, non-biodegradable plastic particles come from laundering synthetic fabrics such as polyester · Huge social costs, which are harder to calculate: 80 percent of apparel is made by young women between the ages of 18 and 24 whose wages are 3.5 times below the minimum needed to make a decent life. How to put a brake on this ultra-fast industry is a question for sustainable entrepreneurs. Recycling is itself energy-intensive and does not address this throwaway culture. The number of times a garment is worn has declined by 36 percent in 15 years! The slow-wear movement brings some answers. It emphasizes mindful and sustainable fashion practices, advocating for quality over quantity, durability, and responsible production. To avoid overproduction, some slow fashion brands adopt a made-to-order or limited production model, producing only what is needed to minimize waste and reduce inventory surplus. Encouraging repair over disposal, other brands provide services or guides for mending clothes. Upcycling initiatives are also a part of this model, where old garments are redesigned or repurposed. The slow wear industry is developing, but…too slowly :) Its market is 18 times smaller than the fast-fashion industry. #calmdown #takeiteasy #slowbutsteady #absurdeconomicmodel

Sustainable mindset shift to a wider scope can involve various aspects: #ConsciousConsumption Thinking critically about what we purchase, opting for high-quality, durable items that have minimal impact on the environment and workers. #Minimalism Embracing a minimalist approach to fashion, focusing on owning fewer but well-loved pieces that stand the test of time. #CircularEconomy Supporting brands that promote circularity by designing products with recyclability and longevity in mind, and participating in clothing swaps, second-hand markets, and recycling programs. #EthicalPractices Choosing brands that prioritize fair labor practices, transparency, and ethical sourcing of materials. #EducatingYourself Learning about the fashion industry's impact on the environment and society, staying informed about sustainable practices, and advocating for change. https://lnkd.in/gnWZTr2Y

This week's blog article is now live! This week we're uncovering the latest trends transforming the industry. From innovative materials like biodegradable polyester to circular fashion and ethical practices, discover how fashion is becoming kinder to the planet. 🌱 #SustainableFashion #FashionInnovation #EcoFriendly #FashionForward

What's been happening in sustainable fashion this week? ⬇ 1) Better Cotton dominates the 'preferred cotton' sourcing route, representing around 21% of all cotton production in 2022 (Textile Exchange) - but most people didn't realise it was never actually a certification, and it's sustainability credentials have been questionable in the industry 🤔 . After much controversy and investigations, Better Cotton is set to become an externally verified certification scheme (if approved) to meet demands of EU legislation. 2) The H&M Foundation has linked up with HKRITA - The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited to open a research lab called 'Open Lab' - a facility set to become a hub for sustainable innovation focusing on industry wide collaboration. H&M and Inditex have also announced investment in US cellular agriculture start-up GALY, who are working to develop lab-grown cotton. 3) Polarn O. Pyret have opened a 'Used & Loved' pop-up store in Stockholm - open until the end of October. PO.P also launched 'PO.P Reclaimed' - a collection using left over fabrics to minimise waste. 4) Primark is set to launch its first ever 'Swap-Shop' initiative in partnership with Verte, in select Primark stores across the UK during London Fashion Week. Primark have also announced they are new patrons of The British Fashion Council - as they celebrate 50 years on the British High Street (who knew the first UK store opened in Derby in 1974?) 5) United Repair Centre centre have collaborated CP CLOTHING LTD, the Italian sportswear brand, to create 'The Longevity Hub' - C.P's company platform dedicated to extending the life of its products. 6) Seasalt is the latest British brand to join B Corp movement and has been awared 100.2 points by B Lab UK, more than 20 points over the minimum required to be certified. 7) AllSaints have launched 'All Saints Rental' , powered by ACS (Advanced Clothing Solutions). The subscription service offers customers 2 styles at a time for £79 per month which you can wear as much as you like, or receive a discount off the RRP if you choose to keep. 8) Patagonia have joined Canopy 'Pack4Good' initiative to scale sustainable packaging and protect ancient and endangered forests. Have a great week! Lydia 🔗 Link to articles in comments Brought to you by enkel To receive this newsletter direct to your inbox every Monday morning (UK / CEST), sign up at www.thisisenkel.com #sustainablefashion #circularfashion #enkel Image: PO.P Reclaimed | Polarn O. Pyret

How is the fast fashion industry affecting our planet? 🛍️ In this blog we discuss what’s being done to regulate the industry and how to develop a more sustainable approach. 🌍🌱 #ESG #sustainability #fastfashion

🛍️ The fast fashion industry is a significant contributor to the climate crisis. But how exactly is it affecting the planet? In our latest blog, we explore the impact of fast fashion, what is being done to regulate the industry and how to develop a more sustainable approach. Read our blog on LoupedIn to find out more 👉 https://gowlg.co/4gG740c #ESG #FastFashion #Greenwashing #ClimateCrisis #Sustainability

Want to stay ahead of the latest developments in sustainable fashion? Here's the latest weekly insight from Lydia Brearley at Enkel ⬇ 1) Last week saw ASOS.com, Boohoo Group PLC and Asda agree to file regular reports to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to ensure that their claims are substantiated and not misleading customers. 2) Back in August 2022, Copenhagen Fashion Week banned fur, and now it has introduced a policy to ban feathers and exotic skins as of next years run-ways. 3) In other material news, adidas have developed a new range of stretch performance garments which use innovative knits or woven construction, called TWISTKNIT / TWISTWEAVE. The twisted yarns create springs within the fabric structure which alleviate the need for synthetic derived elastane. 4) H&M have released their latest annual sustainability report 2023, which reportedly show a 22% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the H&M Group supply chain. Other highlights include 85% recycled or sustainably sourced materials, making progress towards their goal of 100% by 2030. 5) Pakistan's largest vertically integrated denim company Soorty Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. has set up an initiative that promotes regenerative farming practices to reduce the environmental impact of its cotton in its denim supply chain. 6) Still talking supply chains, a latest report from Planet Tracker unveils the water-related risks confronting major fashion brands and retailers which will impact profits. The report urges companies and investors to prioritise water risk management for long term sustainability. See the full report here https://lnkd.in/gu2ztZn3 7) The latest partner to join Reskinned is Deliveroo. Workwear is notoriously difficult to recycle, and as it is worn 'on repeat', it generally cannot be resold in the same way fashion is. Reskinned will responsibly recycle, so if you have workwear in your business and don't have a waste solution, get in touch with Matt Hanrahan. 8) Finally for this week, Sizekick, the Munich based start up specialising in AI-driven size recommendations for online fashion retailers, has announced its latest partnership with Stockholm based activewear brand STRONGER. Sizekick aim to deliver exceptional user-experience and aligning sustainability with their mission to eliminate returns based on size uncertainty. What do you think of these stories and any more to add? If you'd like this (and more) direct to your inbox each week, sign up to our weekly newsletter at www.thisisenkel.com #SUSTAINABLEFASHIONSCHOOL

Sustainable fashion is finally going mainstream. It's encouraging to see the fashion industry moving towards sustainability, with companies adopting practices that benefit the planet. However, the big question remains: will these efforts suffice? Over the last ten years, increased consumer awareness has prompted numerous brands to commit to reducing their environmental footprint. Yet, in light of the pressing challenges posed by climate change, it's evident that tangible action, rather than mere pledges, is essential. Thankfully, there are pioneering companies at the forefront of this movement. Read more about these initiatives here: https://lnkd.in/eFpjAtkD #SustainableFashion #ClimateAction #Apparel