Think Circular.’s Post

I mapped Europe's sustainable fashion scene, then you showed me how much I'd missed. Europe's Green Deal sets 2050 as the deadline for climate neutrality, with fashion earmarked for circular transformation. These brands aren't waiting. They're building that future today: • Michal Freitag: converts truck tarps into waterproof bags that last decades. • LIVING CRAFTS: creates GOTS-certified German organics with fair trade values.  • HNST: crafts timeless pieces from deadstock and recycled materials.  • Nudie Jeans: offers a lifetime repair model. Buy once, mend forever.  • shakkei.fashion: zero-waste Japanese techniques + Austrian production. • Swedish Stockings: turns fishing nets and nylon into durable tights.  • ZOURI SHOES: converts Portuguese ocean plastic into vegan footwear. • Globe Hope Oy: reimagines Finnish military surplus as coveted fashion.  • Neelo Resort : combines European-made luxury with resort-inspired design.  • Thinking MU : combines ethical cotton with transparent sourcing practices.  UNWONTED: turns alpaca waste into circular bedding.  Stella Jean: fuses Italian tailoring with ethically-sourced African prints. ISTO...: champions Portuguese slow fashion using local resources.  Grüne Erde GmbH: champions Austrian sustainable clothing and homewares. Colorful Standard: builds GOTS-certified basics designed for longevity.   VAUDE: upholds Green Shape standards for German outdoor gear. People Tree: uses fair trade organic cotton. VEJA: combines sustainable materials with ethical Brazilian production. Kuyichi Pure Goods: specializes in circular organic denim. Elementy: creates minimalist pieces using eco-friendly materials.  Newless: upcycles existing wardrobes into reimagined UK fashion. Clean & Unique: makes supply chains ethical and transparent. Regenesi: turns industrial waste into fashion and design products. Europe's sustainable fashion market is worth €2.4 billion and is growing at over 20% annually. With EU laws banning textile destruction from 2026, these are the brands we should be supporting now. Which of these brands are in your closet? And which ones are you eyeing next? 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘜 + 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 + 𝘊𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 ✨ Follow for conscious fashion insights from CEE and beyond, with VOGUE CS perspectives.

Special Issue Call for Papers  ‘Use for Longer: Opportunities and Barriers to Extending the Clothing Lifetimes’ Special Issue editors: Kirsi Niinimäki, Aalto University, Finland, kirsi.niinimaki@aalto.fi Claudia E. Henninger, University of Manchester, UK, Claudia.henninger@manchester.ac.uk Submissions are invited from both industry professionals and academics on all aspects of ethical and sustainable fashion and textiles which address the key themes of the Special Issue call for papers. The fashion and textile industry has been reported to cause the ‘fourth highest pressure on the environment and climate, following consumption of food, housing and mobility’ (EEA 2024). One of the reasons for such high ranking is fashion’s waste problem, accelerated and fostered by low-cost (ultra) fast and now instant fashion sales, which reduce the perceived value of clothing and normalize the mindset of disposability. While fashion’s waste issue is not new – the 2011 Waste Hierarchy illustrates that waste can be minimized through prioritizing reduced acquisition of new items and reuse, before moving into recycling, recovery of materials and the ultimate disposal – the problem is persistent. To support the reuse aspect, a WRAP (2017) report outlined that actively using our garments for an additional nine months can reduce the carbon, water and waste footprint by between 20–30%, given that we reduce the acquisition of new clothing accordingly. Yet, a decade later, the fashion and textile industry seems to still be stagnating with questions being raised on how to design for longer product lifespans and reuse. Deadline 30th November More information https://lnkd.in/dVHManeq

Do you think sustainable fashion is solving the problem or just rebranding it? The circular economy, the idea of ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’, has long been promoted as one solution to the environmental crisis. However, in a recent study by Erez Yerushalmi and Dr Krish Saha, they found that innovations in the circular economy, especially in the textiles and clothing industry, can trigger a ‘backfire rebound effect’. That’s when efficiency improvements lower costs and make products seem more sustainable, tempting consumers to buy more. The result? Increased production and more environmental harm. Read the full piece here and let us know what you think in the comments: https://lnkd.in/dpcrCh-n Image: Freepik

Do you know how many brands are actually circular? Everywhere I look, brands talk about circularity. This might be controversial, but too often it boils down to: - Durability (without emotional durability, clothes still end up discarded) - Resale (but when tied to store credits, it can just fuel more buying) - Recycled fibers (closer to a band aid than a solution) I applaud brands that do these things. Every step forward deserves recognition. But truly circular brands? There aren’t many. Some get close: MUD Jeans, E.L.V. DENIM, New Optimist (which went bankrupt), perhaps you can put Nuuly in there, and, finally, NUTT Amsterdam. This is the story behind NUTT Amsterdam. A truly circular brand where every single piece is upcycled. I talked to Esther about how she can take something from a bin and turn it into something worth of the runway. Here is her approach: - 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴. It started with collecting garments from neighbors, but has evolved to partnerships with textile bin companies, and brand returns. - 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Using moulage (draping), each piece is reimagined by hand. Two discarded garments become one new, unique design that looks like high-end fashion, not secondhand. - 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. Sustainability isn't enough to sell clothes; the garments have to be beautiful and desirable. Each piece is made to feel like something new and aspirational. - 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆. Every garment is a conversation starter. Esther invites people into her atelier, markets, and events to explain the process, building emotional connection and changing perceptions. - 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀. Partnerships (like with JOSH V) show how upcyclers can work with established labels to give value back to damaged or returned garments. - 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲. Each piece takes 2-3 days to make. This isn't about scaling fast, but about showing what's possible, inspiring change, and reshaping how we think about clothing. What stands out most are the last two: - With initiatives like The Circle Club that connect brands with upcycling designers, imagine the possibility of a scaled circular system where brands give returned or unsellable items to be upcycled, giving them new life. - And the focus on influence. Each piece is its own revolution, its own way to change minds and hearts. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆? 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗽? 👇 Full story in the comments.

7 sustainable fashion terms every brand owner should know. Remember the days of finding things out in encyclopaedias? Of rummaging through library shelves and the smell of new volumes hitting your face when you crack them open. Feeling nostalgic yet? Ugh, me too. And as a previously appointed library assistant, these things tug at my heartstrings. But we’re here for business. And I’ve gone ahead to find the 7 most important terms for sustainability in fashion. And what they mean. 1. Sustainable Fashion Sustainable fashion is an all-inclusive term describing products, processes, activities, and actors (policymakers, brands, consumers) aiming to achieve a carbon-neutral fashion industry built on equality, social justice, animal welfare, and ecological integrity. 2. Ethical Fashion Fashion that is fair to both people and the planet. It ensures good working conditions, fair pay, and environmental care. Sometimes goes as far as being vegan. 3. Circular Fashion A closed-loop model promoting reuse, repair, recycling, sharing, leasing, and refurbishing. 4. Slow Fashion A thoughtful alternative to fast fashion. Encourages lasting clothing, second-hand shopping, and support for indie makers and ethical brands. 5. Zero-Waste Fashion Design methods that eliminate textile waste. This can happen during production (pre-consumer) or by using existing materials like second-hand textiles (post-consumer). 6. Living Wage / Fair Labour A living wage is the minimum income a worker needs to meet basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare, and education. In fashion, fair labor means ensuring safe working conditions, freedom of association, and pay that allows workers , often women in garment supply chains, to live with dignity. 7. Fair Trade Fashion Fashion produced under certified fair trade standards that protect workers’ rights, guarantee fair pay, and ensure environmentally sustainable practices. Any other sustainable fashion terms have you scrathing your head? Slide in my DMs and let's have a chat.

🌟 Exciting trends in the apparel and accessory industry! 🌟 The shift towards sustainability is undeniable, highlighting the rise of upcycled and recycled fashion items. Innovators within the 服装/箱包 sector are leading the way, transforming waste into stylish, high-quality products. This movement not only reduces environmental impact but also appeals to the growing number of conscious consumers. As brands embrace eco-friendly practices, they're demonstrating that sustainability doesn't compromise style or quality. The industry is buzzing with creativity, as designers find ingenious ways to repurpose materials. From reclaimed fabrics to recycled plastics, these innovative solutions are shaping the future of fashion. Let's continue to support and celebrate these efforts to make a positive impact. #SustainableFashion #UpcycledStyle #RecycledInnovation 🌎👜👗

🧵The Problem with “Recyclable” Fashion: Why Your Clothes Aren’t Getting Recycled… and probably never will. Let’s be honest. We’ve all seen fashion brands proudly label their clothes as "100% recyclable" - and it sounds like progress. But here’s the shocking reality: 🧺 Less than 1% of clothing is actually recycled into new clothing. Not because we don’t want to. But because - we can’t. Why? Because clothing isn’t made to be recycled. Most garments are a Frankenstein mix of materials: 🔹 Cotton-polyester blends 🔹 Elastane-infused knits 🔹 Coated finishes, dyes, zippers, trims These are nearly impossible to separate with current recycling technologies. Even when a shirt could be recycled, chances are it ends up in a bin, not a collection system. This means that “recyclable” clothing is often a marketing illusion - a comforting label with no real infrastructure to back it up. At ThinkCircular, we’re not just chasing buzzwords - we’re building systems. Because if there’s no infrastructure, no product stewardship, no design standards - there is no circularity. 🧠 Imagine if all garments were designed for disassembly. ♻ Imagine if the recycling process was integrated before the product was made. 🛑 And imagine if brands were responsible not just for selling, but for unmaking their products. Circular fashion isn’t just about intention. It’s about execution - and that’s where we need innovation, policy, and systems thinking. Otherwise, “recyclable” is just another form of greenwashing. Let’s build fashion that’s actually ready for its next life. #ThinkCircular #CircularFashion #Greenwashing #Sustainability #RecyclableButNotRecycled #FashionReform #ClosedLoop #SystemicChange #TextileWaste #CircularDesign

Fashion is at a crossroads. With up to 10% of global carbon emissions linked to the industry and millions of tons of waste generated annually, the old models of fast fashion are no longer tenable. At FAB L’Style Magazine, we believe the future of fashion lies in truth, transparency, and transformation. That’s why we sat down with Carol Blázquez García, Sustainability and Innovation Director at Ecoalf, a brand that has become a global benchmark for impact-driven design. From collecting ocean plastic to building deep supply chain traceability and pioneering regenerative textiles, ECOALF demonstrates that fashion can do more than minimize harm. It can restore. Carolina’s 15-year journey from fast fashion designer to sustainability leader is proof that change is possible when conviction meets innovation. Her words echo Ecoalf’s timeless ethos: “Because There Is No Planet B.” Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/dheY2ZJx #Sustainability #FashionBusiness #Ecoalf #CreativeEconomy #RegenerativeFashion #FABLStyle

New on the FAIR FASHION Blog 🌍 Clothing the Planet Responsibly: Rethinking Fashion’s Footprint Sustainability is no longer a niche in the fashion industry, it has become a necessity. From water reduction to carbon-conscious production, nearly every brand is speaking about eco-friendly practices. Yet, the fast fashion model still challenges progress. Our latest blog explores the historical roots of fashion’s footprint, the hidden costs behind globalization, and the role of technology in shaping a more sustainable future. Drawing lessons from the past, from the Industrial Revolution to tragedies like Rana Plaza, we ask: 👉 What kind of future are we weaving? Key insights include: ✔️ Why sustainability is more than recycled fabrics or organic cotton. ✔️ How history shapes today’s fashion challenges. ✔️ Why systemic change, not quick fixes, is the only path forward. 📖 Read the full article by Prof. Dr. Hale Karakaş, Istanbul Technical University by clicking here: https://lnkd.in/ePwvFmnT #SustainableFashion #FairFashion #FashionIndustry #ResponsibleInnovation #FutureOfFashion #FashionEducation #Education #Sustainability #Earth

Samsara Eco and Lululemon Join Forces to Launch Circular Fashion Revolution Using AI-Driven Enzymatic Recycling In a move that could redefine the textile industry, Lululemon and Australian startup Samsara Eco have announced a landmark partnership to scale enzymatic recycling of synthetic fibers. Samsara Eco’s AI-designed enzymes break down polyester and nylon into their building blocks, allowing for endless recycling without loss in quality or added emissions. Lululemon has committed to sourcing 20% of its fibers from this process by 2030, aiming to cut fossil-fuel reliance and secure a more sustainable future for fashion. This deal, backed by $100M in funding and a planned 2027 recycling plant, has stirred both excitement and debate across the global fashion supply chain, signaling a bold step toward closing the loop in apparel manufacturing. The partnership between Lululemon and Samsara Eco is shaking up the fashion industry by proving that sustainable innovation can be both practical and profitable. By using AI-designed enzymes to recycle synthetic fibers endlessly without quality loss or extra emissions, they’re setting a new standard for eco-friendly production. This move is likely to encourage consumers to expect more sustainable options from brands, pushing demand for fashion that doesn’t compromise the planet. At the heart of this change are brands like Lululemon and visionary startups like Samsara Eco, whose collaboration is redefining their roles from traditional manufacturers to pioneers of circular fashion. Suppliers and designers must adapt to new materials and processes, while consumers become partners in sustainability through their purchasing choices. This shift highlights an evolving ecosystem where innovation, environmental responsibility, and market forces are intertwined more than ever before.