Fashion for Good

On 12 September, our Fashion for Good team members, Mariana Cappa Salamanca and Khushbu Maheshwari were invited by Forum for the Future in Singapore as part of their "Enabling Systemic Circularity in Fashion" programme. Over the past year, 12 partners of Forum for the Future from South Asia have engaged in a series of online workshops addressing a critical question: How can circularity in the fashion industry be scaled more effectively, and how can stakeholders collaborate to drive this transition? Our key highlights: ✅ During the in-person prototyping workshop, we had the opportunity to work closely with cross-sector stakeholders to co-develop impactful intervention areas and explore meaningful collaboration ✅ We engaged with diverse stakeholder groups to prototype solutions and evaluate their real-world feasibility  ✅ We networked with top-tier manufacturers such as Shahi Exports Pvt Ltd, Yee Chain International Co., Ltd., MAS Holdings, Crystal Group, to discuss challenges and opportunities in scaling sustainable solutions within the textile industry. We look forward to the insights and learnings from the programme, which Forum for the Future will be sharing in January 2025. Learn more about the programme: https://lnkd.in/etxqhf94 #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #TextileIndustry #Collaboration #Innovation

Our innovator EverDye launches its first product line with Adore Me! The Halloween capsule collection products showcase EverDye's ability to create vibrant colours using bio-organic dyes at ambient temperatures, reducing energy consumption and water usage compared to traditional dyeing methods. The timing of this launch is particularly significant, as it marks exactly one year since Adore Me's initial partnership with Ever Dye began and represents Ever Dye's first product launch since joining Adore Me's Sustainability Accelerator. “This Halloween collection is a testament to what can be achieved when innovative companies join forces to tackle environmental challenges in the fashion industry," said Amira Erokh, CTO and Co-Founder of Ever Dye. "For the very first time, customers can buy garments that have benefited from our dyeing technology, which sharply reduces their carbon footprint.” Read more about the collection and partnership at this link: https://lnkd.in/dgJvwhbb #FashionForGood #Sustainability #Innovation #GreenChemistry

In December 2021, the Ecovative - the mycelium technology company and Fashion for Good's Raw Materials Team launched the ‘Fashion for Good Cooperative’ to co-develop and validate Ecovative’s mycelium materials for a range of product applications. The cooperative brought together key industry players and Fashion for Good partners - BESTSELLER, PANGAIA, PVH Corp., Reformation and Vivobarefoot in an exciting collaboration with our innovator. The objective of the pilot project was to test, refine and scale up both the foam and textile material applications of Ecovative so that brands could utilise those within their product lines. The pilot partners collectively defined key performance attributes and targets as well as the volume of material needed to test the materials in concept products. This pilot concluded in March 2024, showcasing the potential of Ecovative’s Forager AirLoom™ hides and MycoFlex™ foam as an alternative to animal leather and synthetic foam. Prototypes of footwear and handbags were developed and evaluated for the material’s application. The key findings from this pilot are: ✅ Feasibility of Mycelium farming and tanning at scale was demonstrated by Ecovative by the development of an EU-based supply chain including a commercial farm partner and leading tannery. ✅ The characteristics of the final material can be successfully altered by changing the growing conditions of Mycelium, making it suitable for a wide range of products. ✅ In conclusion, material performance testing of Ecovative’s Forager AirLoom™ hides and MycoFlex™ Foam showed significantly improved results - an outcome of increased product uniformity and nearly tripled strength of the raw mycelium. Read more reflections from the Ecovative pilot here: https://lnkd.in/e9VhCN6E #sustainability #sustainablefashion #innovation #naturalfibres #innovativetech #SustainableApparel

Our innovator Amino Tech just launched the world’s first polyester-elastane blended fabric recycling demonstration factory! 👀 Amino's factory adopts advanced technology and a catalytic system to transform textile waste into valuable resources under low-temperature and low-pressure conditions. This initiative is set to support the environmental sustainability efforts of the fashion industry by prioritising regenerative processes and safety. With an initial capacity of handling 100 tons of material, Amino Tech's plans are ambitious: scaling up to a facility with a capacity of 10,000 tons annually and extending their recycling capabilities to include a variety of blended materials such as polyester-cotton, polyester-cotton-elastane, and polyester-wool, which they have already achieved in kilogram-scale pilot experiments. The opening ceremony was attended by prominent brands, including H&M and Inditex, among others, highlighting the fashion industry's support for this pioneering project. Read more at this link: https://lnkd.in/dREVAruD #SustainableFashion #T2T #ChemicalRecycling #Innovations 

Curious about the story behind your cotton clothes? 🤔 Understanding clothing certifications can help you to learn how a piece of clothing is made and importantly, what it's made from. Certifications alone don't determine if a garment is sustainable, but it is often a step in the right direction. When different products and garments are labelled with certifications, it's an easy way for consumers to identify which products meet different ethical, environmental and social guidelines to make better and more informed purchases. We've rounded up some of fashion’s most common cotton certifications with a short explanation of what they mean: 🏷️ Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certifies that the textile is made from organically grown raw materials. Products with this label are made with at least 70% organic cotton. 🏷️ The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) promotes better standard in cotton farming and practices across 21 countries. BCI cotton is grown using less water, chemical fertilisers and pesticides, to reduce the environmental footprint of cotton farming. 🏷️ The Organic Content Standard (OCS), from Textile Exchange, applies to any non-food product containing 5-100% organic material. It verifies the presence and amount of organic material in a final product. There are many more certifications out there focusing on different aspects of production and the whole supply chain so be sure to check your label and see what you can find. PS: Keep in mind that many small sustainable brands may not have the means to obtain all relevant certifications — when in doubt, always research or ask what's in your clothes! #sustainability #innovation #slowfashion #circularity #zerowaste #certifications #cotton

New Béis's resale program thanks to our innovator Trove! 👏 Last week, Trove announced the partnership with BÉIS to launch the Second Béis program, letting customers shop a selection of recently returned weekenders, rollers, backpacks, totes and duffles for 30% off their regular retail value. Trove uses white-label technology and end-to-end operations to power circular shopping for premium and luxury brands, which include Levi Strauss & Co., Patagonia and Arc'teryx Equipment, and it's now expanding beyond apparel and accessories: “We’re now attracting brands in travel, home and accessories, expanding consumer access and fostering lasting customer loyalty,” Terry Boyle, CEO of Trove, said in a statement to Modern Retail. It’s a new venture for Trove, which launched in 2016, and we are excited to see it broadening its impact. Read more about it: https://lnkd.in/gCwVjazD #SustainableFashion #Innovation #CircularEconomy #Partnerships #FashionforGood Andy Ruben

Unravelling the secrets of cotton! 🧵 Cotton is one of the most widely used natural fibres in the world. Making up around 22% of global textile production, it's the second most used fibre after polyester. It all starts with the cotton plant and specifically its seeds which are covered with a soft, almost entirely cellulose-based staple fibre known as cotton fibres. Cotton is an entirely natural raw material and, unlike many man-made materials, it's biodegradable in its pure form (note: this can change depending on how the cotton is processed, dyed or finished). It’s an excellent choice for versatile and lightweight product applications thanks to the fibres’ unique properties such as durability, softness and breathability. However, its production comes with its own unique set of challenges around inefficient water usage, the volume of overproduction, pesticide use, social impact, and traceability. The good news? There are many approaches and promising alternatives to traditional cultivation and processing that are emerging, most notably led by initiatives focused on organic cotton —which aims to ensure that cotton is grown according to several standards which focus on the pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental, social, and human sustainability. When in doubt:  🔎 Check the label 🔎 Check for certifications 🔎 Research alternatives Gaining insight into the composition and production of materials can empower you to make more informed decisions. Read more about other biobased materials from our report via https://lnkd.in/eQZCdGSX #cotton #goodmaterials #innovation #impact #sustainability #sustainablefashion

We are proud to see our innovators Circulose and Polybion featured in Ganni A/S SS25 at Paris Fashion Week! This marks a milestone in our shared journey toward pushing the boundaries of innovation, technology and sustainable fashion. 🚀 Featuring Circulose, a material made by recycling cotton from worn-out clothes and production waste and Polybion's Celium, an alternative to leather which consists of premium cultivated cellulose from fruit waste, Ganni made its Paris Fashion Week debut with clashing dress codes and responsible approaches to materials. The use of new materials finds its roots in Ganni’s “Fabrics of the Future” research initiative, which launched in 2019 as an extension of the brand’s goal to achieve a 50% carbon reduction by 2027. Integrating pioneering fabrics into fashion is redefining the industry's future, and we are looking forward to seeing more collaborations come to life to drive positive change. Learn more about the collaborations: https://lnkd.in/eMaANnVS https://lnkd.in/dvdU9B7M #PFW #FashionforGood #Innovation #Tech #SustainableFashion

Exciting launch 👀 Our innovator Keel Labs has just released its first limited-edition garment with Outerknown featuring its flagship product, Kelsun fibre! Kelsun is a bio-based yarn made from seaweed, which is soft to the touch and has the look and feel of natural fibres that consumers know. For Outerknown’s new Blanket Shirt (£175.00) offered in a universal fit, Kelsun has been used blended with organic cotton to deliver a stylish garment priced consistently with the brand's other high-quality products. "With this launch, we are proud of it being one of the first times a next-gen material in apparel has been brought to market with a hundred+ units at a price point similar to the brand’s other products. This collaboration showcases the potential for adopting innovative raw materials, and Kelsun is committed to driving that transformation forward." Read the interview at this link: https://lnkd.in/gDsnX-PM #Innovation #FashionforGood #Tech #SustainableFashion #FutureTech

Last week, Maria Arroyo i Bacete and Luciana Frosi-Carvalho from our Innovation Platform team attended the Sustainable Leather Forum, where industry leaders from brands, tanneries, innovators, and institutional bodies gathered to discuss the future of leather. Here are some key takeaways: ✅ Traceability & Environmental Impact: Fernando Bellese de Cesaro from WWF stressed that cattle farming is responsible for 40% of tropical deforestation, highlighting the need for better traceability to avoid sourcing leather from deforested areas. While platforms like TrusTrace offer traceability to slaughterhouses, digitising upstream data and incentivising farmers for their efforts remains a challenge. ✅ EUDR & Collective Action: The EUDR will enforce geolocation and traceability. WWF, Leather Working Group, and Textile Exchange are collaborating to ensure all bovine leather is sourced from deforestation-free supply chains by 2030, providing guidance and tools for brands. @Fernando Bellese from WWF emphasised that this effort extends beyond the EUDR — it reflects consumer demand, as seen in the Consumer Goods Forum's commitment to deforestation-free supply chains. ✅ Livestock Farming Challenges: Declining bovine meat production impacts leather availability. Though hides contribute only 1% of slaughterhouse revenue, strong collaboration with the meat sector is key to securing quality hides, particularly as luxury brands acquire tanneries. ✅ Tanning Innovations: While chrome tanning is effective, concerns about CrVI have prompted interest in alternatives. Companies like GSC GROUP SPA Prodotti chimici per concerie, Biokimica and Silvateam s.p.a. (ECOTAN) are exploring natural and metal-free tanning methods. However, meeting the industry's performance requirements and reducing environmental impact remain key considerations as the sector scales up these alternatives. ✅ Impact & Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs): Although leather is considered a by-product of the meat industry, the impact attributed to the animal's life within the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) is often cited as around 68%. Companies like SPIN 360 are monitoring CO2 absorption in soils, particularly in regions like Argentina, providing opportunities to adopt best practices that support both biodiversity and climate action. ✅ Harmonization of Regulations: SPIN 360, in partnership with UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), is working to harmonise eco-labels and regulations across the leather industry, pushing for global sustainability standards in the leather supply chain. We left the forum inspired and committed to advancing sustainable practices in leather production. Thank you to Alliance France Cuir for organising such a thought-provoking event and to everyone we had the pleasure to meet. #TechSustainability #LeatherIndustry #Innovation #SustainableFashion