Balenciaga’s quest for redemption has had the opposite effect
The luxury brand’s brush with accusations of paedophilia has united haters and fans in shared concern. But the controversy also points to systemic issues of exploitation and power within the fashion industry. Publicity stunt? Mindless oversight? Elite satanic conspiracy? Whichever best explains Balenciaga’s latest controversy – triggered by two campaigns that...
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The Fashion Pact establishes new renewable energy agreement
After a quiet two years, the CEO-led coalition has announced the launch of a promising sustainability initiative that seeks to accelerate the industry’s green transition. By now, I’m sure you’re well aware that fashion has an acute sustainability problem. If you’ve somehow missed out on the details, however, allow me to...
New documentary goes undercover inside SHEIN’s 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 aren’t blind to the fact that the availability of ultra-cheap clothing is impossible without the exploitation of workers who...
Fashion ‘unlikely’ to meet Paris Climate Accord goals
According to Textile Exchange’s 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 fashion’s pivot to more eco-friendly practices has repeatedly made headlines. Whether genuinely impactful or an obvious bid to...
Brands moving away from ‘free returns’ 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, there’s no denying the environmental benefits of a move that targets throwaway culture. When attending a fancy event we don’t have the...
Opinion – Kourtney’s collaboration with Boohoo deserves criticism
The reality star has been mocked on social media for her new role as fast fashion brand Boohoo’s Sustainability Ambassador. But while it may be hard to believe, Kardashian’s latest collaboration is no laughing matter. Reality stars and fast fashion are no strangers to one another. Despite strides to unpick...
The sustainability potential of Bella Hadid’s Coperni moment
Proving just how far fashion’s 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 commentary about the offerings presented by designers both burgeoning and iconic has been rife. From criticism towards Kanye’s controversial ‘White Lives...
Selfridges doubles down on sustainability commitments
The luxury department store Selfridges has published its first annual ‘Project Earth’ report detailing a number of ambitious targets that it hopes will ‘reinvent retail.’ Back in 2020, Selfridges committed to its sustainability strategy with ‘Project Earth,’ an impressive outline with the overarching goal of steering its business towards a net-zero future. Two years later, and – in the words of UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres – ‘our fragile planet is hanging...
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. We’re now nearing the end of August and although most of us would like to believe in a never-ending summer, the fact is… winter is coming. Around this...
Patagonia’s founder gives company away ‘to planet Earth’
Yvon Chouinard is transferring ownership of Patagonia – valued at $3bn – to a specially-designed trust and non-profit organisation that will help fight the climate crisis. ‘Hey, friends, we just gave our company to planet Earth,’ tweeted Patagonia last night. ‘OK, it’s more nuanced than that, but we’re closed today to celebrate this new plan to save our one and only home.’ The apparel brand, which is renowned for...
