New documentary goes undercover inside SHEINβs factories
Available on Channel 4, the documentary reveals that workers making clothing for the fast-fashion giant SHEIN are paid as little as 3p per garment while working 18-hour shifts. Most of us arenβt blind to the fact that the availability of ultra-cheap clothing is impossible without the exploitation of workers who...
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Fashion βunlikelyβ to meet Paris Climate Accord goals
According to Textile Exchangeβs latest report, the industry is producing more than ever before and shifts from conventional materials to lower-impact, sustainable alternatives have declined. During the last few years, news of fashionβs pivot to more eco-friendly practices has repeatedly made headlines. Whether genuinely impactful or an obvious bid to...
Brands moving away from βfree returnsβ to curb fast fashion
Boohoo, Zara, and soon-to-be H&M are among the major retailers now charging customers to send back clothes in the post. Though shoppers are divided over the new policy, thereβs no denying the environmental benefits of a move that targets throwaway culture. When attending a fancy event we donβt have the...
Opinion – Kourtneyβs collaboration with Boohoo deserves criticism
The reality star has been mocked on social media for her new role as fast fashion brand Boohooβs Sustainability Ambassador. But while it may be hard to believe, Kardashianβs latest collaboration is no laughing matter.Β Reality stars and fast fashion are no strangers to one another. Despite strides to unpick...
The sustainability potential of Bella Hadidβs Coperni moment
Proving just how far fashionβs relationship with tech has come in recent years, a viral video of Bella Hadid being sprayed into a dress marks the next step in environmentally-friendly fabrics. For the last few weeks, as models have sauntered down runways in the fashion capitals of the world, online...
Selfridges doubles down on sustainability commitments
The luxury department store Selfridges has published its first annual βProject Earthβ report detailing a number of ambitious targets that it hopes will βreinvent retail.β Back in 2020, Selfridges committed to its sustainability strategy with βProject Earth,β an impressive outline with the overarching goal of steering its business towards a...
What is the environmental impact of bright clothing dyes?
Just like all fabrics are not created equal, neither are the dyes that give them their colour. Achieving bright whites and neon hues are resource and labour intensive, causing some items of clothing to have a greater social and environmental impact than others. Weβre now nearing the end of August and although most of us would like to believe in a never-ending summer, the fact isβ¦ winter is coming. Around this...
Patagoniaβs founder gives company away βto planet Earthβ
Yvon Chouinard is transferring ownership of Patagonia β valued at $3bn β to a specially-designed trust and non-profit organisation that will help fight the climate crisis. βHey, friends, we just gave our company to planet Earth,β tweeted Patagonia last night. βOK, itβs more nuanced than that, but weβre closed today to celebrate this new plan to save our one and only home.β The apparel brand, which is renowned for...
Why Lululemon has anti-coal campaigners fired up
Environmental activists have called out the multibillion-dollar clothing company Lululemon over concerns that the pollution churned out by its production practices is inconsistent with its ethical branding. One of the largest, fastest growing, and most profitable fitness apparel brands in the world has come under fire for continuing to rely on coal as a source of energy despite claims itβs committed to acting against the climate crisis. Lululemon β whose motto...
PANGAIAβs new βRe-Colorβ collection utilises dyes from old textiles
Using technology that turns used textile fabric into powdered dye, PANGAIA has created a new capsule collection that uses no harmful chemicals to obtain its pastel hues. The world canβt get enough of co-ord tracksuits and PANGAIA is one brand determined to deliver them in the most sustainable way possible. Already having made a name for itself in the eco-friendly fashion realm, the brand has found yet another way to reduce...
