Zalando’s Post

Last week I had the pleasure to kick off VORN — The Berlin Fashion Hub x Zalando ADAPT Academy by hosting a training for over 40 designers about developing systemic perspectives. A system is a set of elements working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network. We have many example of systems around us, we live, interact and breathe systems daily: from the planet we are in, to society, to our body. 🫀 For people working on impact, systemic thinking is a fundamental skill because, despite not seeking a detailed understanding of a problem, it provides the context for seeing and interacting with complexity in its entirety. What I find super interesting about systemic thinking and sustainability is that are no solutions to complex situations, rather a multitude of opportunities to intervene. ✨ After deep diving into systems and wicked problems, what they are and how to approach them, we drafted a system map starting from the topic of size, which is central to fashion and will be a big focus for the group working on Adaptive Fashion. Discussing sizing practices and standards (actually, lack of there of), we touched upon mental health, beauty standards, body perception and ED, overproduction and mass-manufacturing vs on demand customisation, the use of lycra/spandex/elastane and the limits that these bring in longevity and recycling, return and dead stock, washing practices, gender and obviously adaptive fashion and inclusion. 💞 I’m often discussing sizing as a key topic that is so often overlooked when it comes to sustainability as it’s so interconnected with returns, blends, emotional and physical durability and overproduction. I’m curious, is anyone working on sizing in the impact space? What initiatives are you seeing? 🤔 #circulareconomy #circularinnovation #systemicinnovation

We are super excited to announce our participation in the Vogue Singapore x BMW Innovation Prize Bootcamp, innovation at the intersection of fashion, technology, and sustainability. This exclusive event brings together visionaries from across the globe, uniting luxury automotive pioneers, e-commerce trailblazers, sustainable material innovators, and fashion industry leaders. It's a melting pot of ideas where the future of fashion is being forged. At Litehide, we're driven by a vision of a leather industry that's seen and understood as a sustainable material that goes with innovation and future developments. The Vogue Singapore x BMW Innovation Prize Bootcamp offers us a unique platform to engage with fellow innovators, challenge conventional thinking, and push the boundaries of what's possible in sustainable fashion. It's an opportunity to showcase how deep tech solutions like Litehide can transform traditional industries, aligning them with the imperatives of our changing world. As we participate in this bootcamp, we're not just representing Litehide – we're advocating for a fundamental shift in how we approach materials, production, and consumption in the fashion industry. We're eager to engage in discussions that go beyond surface-level solutions, delving into the complex interplay of technology, consumer behavior, and industry practices that will shape the future of fashion. We look forward to sharing our insights, learning from our peers, and forging connections that could lead to groundbreaking collaborations. The challenges facing our industry are complex, but in spaces like this – where creativity meets technology, and vision meets expertise – we find the inspiration and partnerships needed to drive meaningful change. Stay tuned as we embark on this exciting journey. The future of fashion is being written, and at Litehide, we're proud to be holding the pen. #VogueSingapore #BMWInnovationPrize #SustainableFashion #FashionTech #LeatherInnovation #Litehide #CircularEconomy #InnovationInFashion

🌐 Zalando Leads by Example in Sustainable Fashion: A Benchmark for Global Business Practices ? 🌿 In a significant development that underscores the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability, Zalando - a publicly traded German online retailer of shoes, fashion and beauty active across Europe - has announced a strategic overhaul of its environmental claims approach, setting a new standard for transparency in the fashion industry. This move comes in response to the European Union's rigorous investigation, spotlighting the critical need for authenticity in sustainability messaging. 🔍 Strategic Insights: The initiative aligns with the EU's ambitious Green Claims Directive, designed to eradicate greenwashing by ensuring that environmental claims are both clear and substantiated. With an estimated 75% of EU market products carrying environmental claims—half of which may be misleading—the directive marks a pivotal step toward integrity in corporate sustainability efforts. Zalando’s stated commitment to revising its sustainability claims, including the elimination of vague terminology and the enhancement of detailed sustainability disclosures, exemplifies a proactive approach to compliance and leadership within the industry. 📈 Business Implications and SDG Alignment: This development is not merely about regulatory alignment but signals a broader shift towards sustainable business models that prioritise long-term value creation over short-term gains. Zalando's initiative directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), specifically targeting enhanced consumer information for sustainable development (Target 12.8). 🌱 Opportunity for Australian Businesses: Zalando's pioneering stance presents a compelling case for Australian companies to reevaluate their sustainability narratives. In an era where consumers and investors are increasingly discerning about environmental claims, authenticity, and transparency, not only mitigate regulatory risks but also unlock competitive advantage and foster brand loyalty. 💡 A Call to Action: As global markets gravitate towards more stringent sustainability reporting and claims verification, Australian businesses stand at a crossroads. The choice is clear: evolve to meet these emerging standards or risk obsolescence in a world that demands more than mere lip service to sustainability. Read more: https://lnkd.in/edfg6RQN #Sustainability #Zalando #GreenClaimsDirective #SDGs #AustralianBusiness #GlobalStandards #CorporateResponsibility #SustainableDevelopment Tanya Plibersek ACCC

Interesting… While those of us who rely on this type of reporting appreciate the below, how will they make this information easily digestible for their consumers? How will they translate this into a useful resource so consumers are empowered to make better choices? #CRSD #Sustainability #fashion #circularity #consumerbehaviour #retail

It's interesting how life can change in an instant. For me, it all started with one eye-opening class during my time at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute back in 2003. That single moment of realisation sparked a fire within me to challenge the status quo and create a better future for fashion. It was a class about child labor and forced labor in fashion's supply chain that opened my eyes to the darker side of an industry I had long admired. The contrast of beauty and brutality was too much to ignore. And so, RethinkRebels BV: Fashion Sustainability Consultancy was born - out of a desire to do things differently, to do things better. From humble beginnings to where we stand today, our journey has been one of growth, resilience, and unwavering commitment to our values. And while the road ahead may be uncertain, one thing remains clear: our dedication to creating positive change in the world of fashion will never waver. So, how did you find your life's purpose? For me, it all started with one eye-opening class that ignited a passion for change. I'd love to hear your story. Share it in the comments below! #Sustainabilityjourney #Fashionrevolution #Lifepurpose

I stumbled upon an eco-friendly coffee cup. I first thought it was a joke, but it was not. Louis Vuitton sells more than 20 billion euros of products. That is a big boat to steer towards a lower footprint and a circular offering, I agree. Global sourcing, own retail stores, and several design departments for all kinds of brand expressions all need to change their behavior, purchasing, and design,... Not easy. On top of that, they need to build new circular offerings. A real opportunity if you act fast. Otherwise, other players in the market will grab the value of the table... Be smart, put circularity high on your plans for '24, and just START! If you doubt where and how to start, let's have a coffee ☕ . (You can bring your own cup if you like 😋) #circularitypriorityin24 #happytohelp

3️⃣ I joined Vestiaire Collective 3 years ago, and at that time… 🅱️ We were not a Certified B Corp. 📉 We would not precisely measure our environmental impact. 🫤 Our catalog included fast fashion goods. 🟧 But thanks to the amazing energy and commitment of Dounia Wone, her great team and everyone at Vestiaire Collective, all of this has changed… for the better! ♻️ Our 3rd Circularity Report is out ! Here is my take: ✅ Yes, you will find an update on the 3 statistics I love: — 79% of purchases on VC replace a 1st-hand purchase — buying a preloved piece on VC instead of a new one reduces the environmental impact by 90% — our avoided CO2 emissions are 3.3x higher than our actual emissions (improving from 2.8x in 2022 and 2.1x in 2021) ✅ Yes, you will find more data supporting our commitment: — did you know that 60% of fast fashion items end up in landfills within a year of purchase? — introducing the "cost-per-wear" metric, highlighting the superior quality of pieces available on VC (see picture below) — as we grow, we manage to increase our share of local-to-local transactions, and therefore reduce the share of air shipments: from 50% in 2020 to 2023 in 30% ❌ No, it’s not perfect. Our reports always raise very fair debates, questions, challenges… and we love it! It helps us continue improving in our mission to transform the fashion industry for a more sustainable future. 🥇Very well done Dounia Wone Hortense Pruvost Anne Meyrueis Caroline Devaux Gabriel Berthier Pauline GIVELET. We are so proud of these achievements! To learn more: https://lnkd.in/eEmD6K5b

As part of Project 2 at the Fashion Retail Academy, I completed a comp shop to compare the current performance of River Island with competitors H&M, New Look, Zara & MANGO. What do brands need to do to survive in the current retail climate? My conclusion is to focus on sustainability and ethical buying! With stricter legislation forecast in the next 5 years, the fashion high street must quickly adapt to shifting consumer priorities and the brutal truth that resources are finite. It is time for all brands to embrace circularity, and innovative fabrics and put sustainability at the heart of the buying process.

Meeting with the CEO of H&M UK was an incredible opportunity to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the world of fashion careers and how we can inspire and guide more young individuals towards pursuing fulfilling roles in the retail industry. During our discussion with Henrik Nordvall , we delved deeply into two pivotal themes: purpose and sustainability. The purpose was a central theme of our conversation. We explored how having a clear and meaningful purpose in one's career can not only lead to personal satisfaction but also contribute to the greater good. H&M's commitment to its purpose, whether it's creating sustainable fashion or supporting community initiatives, served as an inspiring example of how purpose-driven actions can drive positive change within the industry. Sustainability was another significant topic that resonated throughout our meeting. We discussed the crucial role that sustainability plays in the fashion industry today. H&M's dedication to sustainable practices, from sourcing materials to reducing environmental impact, showcased their commitment to responsible fashion. We explored the idea that integrating sustainability into fashion careers not only aligns with ethical values but also responds to the growing demand from consumers for eco-conscious products. I'm currently on a mission alongside Youth Group, aiming to empower young individuals to contribute significantly to the economy while enhancing their own lives. This mission involves helping them discover their purpose while also ensuring a sustainable future by actively supporting the environmental agenda, recognising that everyone has a vital role to play in this.

SS25: COPENHAGEN FASHION WEEK BETWEEN CREATIVITY, INCLUSION AND COMMERCE FashionUnited Key Takeaways: ⚔ Berlin Fashion Week may be keen to become the next London of fashion – a place that fosters and produces young creative talent – but Copenhagen also wants to have its say, and rightly so. 🏹 Copenhagen Fashion Week has long since emerged from the shadow of the established Fashion Weeks and is also forging ahead with a role model function, as sustainability and the support of young talent are paramount in the Danish capital. But how does the Zalando-sponsored Fashion Week combine progressive action and commercial success? 🏆 It is thanks to one of these young talents that the increasingly important topics of accessibility and inclusivity were also addressed in Copenhagen this season. Irish designer Sinéad O’Dwyer, who has been supported by the British Fashion Council's NewGen initiative for the past three years, moved from London to the Danish capital after being named the winner of the Zalando Visionary Award. The award brought her 50,000 euros and a spot on the Copenhagen Fashion Week programme. 👗 On the catwalk, strappy dresses, bodysuits and cut-out silhouettes were presented, complemented by O'Dwyer's first foray into the denim world. The designer offered audio descriptions and fabric samples for each look to blind and visually impaired viewers. But the inclusion was not limited to the audience: blind activist Lucy Edwards walked the runway with her guide dog Miss Molly. It was the first time a blind model had such a performance at Copenhagen Fashion Week, setting a new benchmark for inclusion. LEARN MORE: https://lnkd.in/dWGCWXAf #web3 #investment #fashion #metaverse #ai