Imagine a world where you could instantly access the sustainability credentials of a garment. Where, with the quick scan of a QR code, you could know its fiber content, carbon footprint, water & chemical usage, and labor conditions under which it was made. And when you no longer wear it, you could instantly connect with markets to repair, rent, re-sell or recycle it. Imagine the impact this could have on the fashion industry. How this information could empower individuals to make responsible purchasing decisions. The way it could open up a whole new industry from garments that would otherwise be disposed of. Imagine how this could incentivize the industry to design for durability and sustainability. Well, this is not some far flung reality, it is here now. Digital Product Passports are a powerful new tool that have the potential to reshape our linear fashion model into something more sustainable, more circular. Let’s find out more about them…
Change is in the air. Momentum in the fashion industry is building. And for the first time since 1938 the status quo of the US garment industry is being challenged. As we speak, federal legislation is being debated that has the potential to regulate and revive the US domestic garment industry with the aim of making it a ‘global leader in responsible garment production’. It is called the FABRIC Act. Let’s find out more about it…
The fashion world is abuzz with talk of NFTs. But what exactly are they and how do they stack up when it comes to sustainability? There is great hope that this new technology will reduce fashion’s environmental impact by offering customers a new way of shopping - one that is not reliant on the constant creation of a ‘physical’ product. However, this may not be the full story. Let’s dig a little deeper to find out exactly what NFTs are and whether they can live up to expectations.
With Fashion Revolution Week upon us it is timely for us to reflect on the value of transparency in building supply chain standards in fashion. In the nine years since the Rana Plaza collapse, much progress has been made toward improving working conditions for garment workers. However, as the supply chain is decentralized and deep, mapping and sorting beyond tier 1 gets tricky. Let’s take a look at why transparency of the supply chain beyond tier 1 is so important.
The New York Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act is making headlines across the fashion industry. If passed, this groundbreaking legislation will make the industry legally accountable for its social and environmental impact at a scale never before seen. Let’s dive in and find out more about it and how it may affect you.
You may be more cued into supply chain disruptions than normal due to the Pandemic but it's important to know that the fashion supply chain is always changing. Factors outside of your control such as political unrest, conflict and changes to taxes and free trade agreements can make sourcing from some countries difficult and force brands to shift their supply chain. PVH's recent facility closure in Ethiopia is a recent example of this.
Photo Credit: The Japan Times Back in April 2021 we talked about the proposed bill to ban goods produced in Xinjiang, China in an effort to fight against the human rights abuses taking place against the Uyghur people there. After some push back from major brands like Nike, Apple, and Coca Cola, the bill finally passed with overwhelming bipartisan support on December 16th, 2021. Here's the update and the scoop on why some companies are not on board.
One of the biggest changes we need to see in the fashion industry, is how garment factory workers are treated. Every worker has the right to a safe work environment with legal pay without exploitation. Many people assume garment worker exploitation only occurs outside of the U.S. but that is true. Many garment factories in California still don't follow ethical labor standards and progress must be made. Here's how the landmark passing of California's SB62, also known as the Garment Workers Protection Act, is changing the face of labor standards in California.
Life can get pretty busy, so listening to something great on the go may be your best way to absorb information. Podcasts are an easy way to stay in the loop of what's happening with ethical and sustainable fashion. So here are our 6 must listen to podcasts to subscribe to today!
The terms ethical and sustainable always seem to get roped together when talking about fashion. Both are very important, but it's crucial for us to know the difference because one doesn't always equal the other. If a brand is practicing sustainable standards, that's great for our planet, but does that mean the factories they work with are implementing ethical standards as well? You won't know for sure unless you see their certification, but here's how to know the difference between sustainable, and ethical fashion.
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