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Recycled Fashion – is this Innovative Solution the Best Way Forward?

The idea of recycled fashion is not new, however, it has become much more popular within recent years. A growing number of brands are switching to recycled versions of fibers, often advertising these clothes as the “more sustainable” or “conscious” choice. This sustainable fashion option has become the trendy new way to be more conscious about your clothing. Consumers now have access to a wide variety of recycled fashion options – from in-store campaigns to door-step collection. You can recycle synthetic fibers such as Polyester and Viscose into brand new products, and you can also recycle natural fibers such as Cotton. Recycling has become popular with the aim to create a more circular economy for the future of the fashion industry. Read on to find out more about recycled fashion and how it has impacted sustainable fabric markets, and whether this trend is really the future for sustainable fashion. How to begin the recycling movement As mentioned in our 5 tips for a sustainable brands blog post – recycling and upcycling do not have to just cover just clothing itself, it can start within the mindset of your organisation. It is not simply about manufacturing and designing clothes ethically using recycled fabrics – sustainability starts with the small things your organisation does. When it comes to your everyday recycling, make sure that it is as easy as possible for your employees to carry out, as recycling in all aspects helps the fashion industry. Place recycling bins in all offices and staff areas so that it isn’t a chore to recycle (both waste and garment bins!) By encouraging recycling amongst your team, it will eventually become a part of the workplace culture, which is exactly what you want when trying to become a more sustainable brand.  Another way to kick off a recycling forward approach is to try out a recycling scheme. Many brands have been incorporating schemes and rewards into their stores in order to get their staff and consumers recycling properly. Boots offer £5 worth of Advantage Card points if you recycle at least five qualifying items, and M&S have partnered with Oxfam to recycle textiles through their Shwopping partnership with the potential to receive £5 to spend in-store.  How does clothing recycling work? The majority of textiles are fully recyclable – items including garments, bedding, towels, napkins, soft furnishings and more. Textiles will be given to a recycling company either through clothing banks, charity collection services such as The British Heart Foundation, or company recycling schemes such as high street retailers Primark.  After being sent to the recycling centres they are sorted by material and colour, processed through machines that shred the garments back down to raw fibers, cleaned thoroughly to ensure that the fibers are fit for reproduction , re-spun into new textiles, and reused to make garments, insulation, and other products depending on the quality of the recycled fibers.  The Environmental Protection Agency states that around ‘17 million tons of textile municipal solid waste (MSW) was generated in 2018, which represents 5.8% of total MSW generation. The recycling rate for textiles was 14.7%, meaning 2.5 million tons of textiles were recycled. The other 14.5 million tons were either combusted or sent to landfills. These recycled fibres go on to create sustainable fabric used within a large array of different brands today, from recycled swimwear companies to larger brands sustainable fashion collections such as H&M’s Conscious range.  Cutting edge fabric recycling There are many cutting-edge products on the market today, from turning fishing nets and tyres into fully formed materials ready for manufacturing.  From plastic bottles to discarded X-rays and film, almost every kind of waste is potential to designers!  Tyres At the digital presentation for the Performance Days fabric fair, a company producing sustainable fabrics made of post-consumer nylon obtained from tyres presented their ideas. The tyres are being recycled in a process called ChemCyling developed by BASF. This recycling platform can use both mixed plastic waste from municipal waste collections and discarded automotive tyres. The waste is chemically recycled into a pyrolysis oil which replaces crude fossil oil as a feedstock. The recycled amount is allocated in the product via a certified mass balance approach. The Long Advance fabric consists of 7% elastane and 93% recycled polyamide, both reducing the need for synthetic fabrics and also ensuring that tyre waste is recycled in a meaningful way. Fishing nets  Every year more than 25,000 fishing nets are reported lost or discarded. Most of the time, these are broken and are no longer used for fishing. Fishing nets are made of 100% synthetic materials and will never break down, causing a huge amount of waste in our oceans.  It is increasingly important that we are looking after our oceans so that we can protect marine animals and ecosystems that are essential to keeping our planet healthy, as currently there are global problems related to this.  Fishing nets can trap animals such as sharks, dolphins, fish and turtles and clearing them up is a huge help to the environment. In countries such as the Philippines, local fishers collect old nets to be recycled into carpet tiles. However, these fishing nets can also be used in the fashion industry. Company Girlfriend has created leggings, bras and tops from recycled nylon in fishing nets! They have over 500k followers all buying their recycled sustainable fabrics in innovative new products. Why is recycling important? An estimated 70 pounds of textiles can be thrown away each year in the US alone, this coming mostly from fast fashion stores such as Boohoo and Shein, with over-consumption of clothing being rife within society today.  Fast fashion trend cycles have made it acceptable to wear a new outfit for every occasion, and this means that when the person buying the garments is done with them, they are simply thrown into the rubbish only to end up in a landfill.  Due to the fact that the majority of cheap clothing today is 100% synthetic, the products

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Seamless Source – Platform Systems

PLATFORM SOLUTIONS At Seamless Source, we have been working on developing the best solutions for fashion brands to create products from concept to delivery. CEO and founder, Chathura Sudharshan, started our company with knowledge of three supply-chain problems; lack of transparency in the supply-chain; sourcing difficulties where SME fashion businesses struggle to find reliable, responsible and sustainable suppliers without industry networks and connections; and also, complex and costly processes where order tracking and communication is extremely complicated being unavailable or non-affordable for SME fashion businesses. So Chathura aimed to fix this and support small to medium-sized fashion businesses by developing an automated omnichannel sourcing platform with an integrated order management tool to help build a digitalised, faster, leaner and more responsible supply chain – all in one place with industry-leading, reliable, responsible and sustainable suppliers across the globe, that fashion brands can easily access. WEB & MOBILE APPLICATION We have two easy ways to allow fashion businesses to seamlessly order and create their products. First being with a Website Platform, which has already been successfully running since 2019. But now we are introducing our 2022 Mobile Application, which makes our relationship with you, our clients, even simpler. With an app, you can sort and keep an eye on your clothing orders, receive notifications regarding developments and messages, manage your document library by viewing and uploading documents via your device and even instantly talk to manufacturers, suppliers and your account manager – all on the go. At Seamless Source, global sourcing has never been easier. DASHBOARD Starting with the effortless and reliable Dashboard for all clients and Seamless Source Account Managers. Communication is no longer a problem within the fashion manufacturing process. As a client, you will know exactly who is making your clothes and who is involved in every step-to-step process. You will be in the loop, from the discussion lining out what you want and need to the minute they are delivered to your door. In any online ordering process, there’s always understandable anxiety with waiting for the final production, which is why we wanted to incorporate a detailed client and company relationship. For once, you won’t be talking to a fully-automated AI assistant about your needs and receive tedious answers. You will be talking to an expert from our team, who can lead you through our Dashboard so that you can have trust in each step of your manufacturing work. Not only will you have an idea of the step-to-step development, but you will also have specific updates. Dates and times for when each stage is started, completed or potentially delayed. At the exact point of the happenings too. Another benefit of this dashboard mentioned above is the transparency behind knowing who makes your clothes. With complete contact information, including name and address, you can do a full background check on our workers for that little bit of extra security. We know that no one likes to be kept in the dark, so this is why our Dashboard keeps you in the light. DOCUMENT LIBRARY Oral communication is of massive importance within our platform, and the entire design, patent and digital production are also. At Seamless Source, we have found that keeping all the information in a Document Library removes any chances of confusion and loss of data. Knowing everything is stored in the same place creates a trusting environment where you can be confident and comfortable creating changes with the dates you need developments and finalisations for, especially since we’re a global sourcing company. A Document Library makes everyone’s lives easier and allows better efficiency for the entire production and manufacturing. DATA ANALYTICS Our Data Analytics cleverly uses your information and our system to find the perfect time to re-order clothing at your convenience. On our end, we can work out what materials and textiles are in and out of stock and the dates and times when everything will be back in stock. If you are a trusted client with history, we believe you shouldn’t have to go through the entire record construction again. At Seamless Source, we see Data Analytics as a perfect opportunity for you to continue your client relationship with us without hassle. As a manager or principal designer, you don’t have to worry about wasting time with administration jobs and can simply move on to the following big product. We are making the entire process quicker and easier the second time you want us to be the manufacturer of your garments and any time after that. Be sure to watch out for NEW updates concerning the Seamless Source platform & app!

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What is Cotton – Cotton Fabric Properties, Products, and Production

Cotton is one of the most widely used fabrics – with 27 million tons of cotton being produced every single year. It is also the most valuable non-food agricultural product in the world. Undoubtedly cotton is an extremely valuable commodity within many industries, including the fashion industry, and this is not expected to change any time soon. In this article, we explore the life cycle of cotton and the impacts that it has throughout the planet.  Overview of Cotton Cotton is a fibre at the heart of the textile industry – and has many varieties including Egyptian cotton and Pima cotton depending on the species and where it originates from.   Cotton is a natural fabric made from the boll of the cotton plant (the fibres surrounding the seeds), it is produced with ‘staple’ fibres, which are turned into the fabric we know and love.   Cotton is used within clothing, soft furnishings, and a range of other products. It is the most popular fabric due to its low cost, versatility, comfort, and performance.  Cotton Types and Locations Cotton is harvested all over the world – but there are 5 main countries that make up 75% of cotton production. According to Statista (2019/20), India is leading the production followed by China. Although the majority of cotton can be produced anywhere in the world due to technical enhancements, different cotton fabrics vary depending on their species and the location in which they originated. Fashion revolution states a massive 2.4% of the world is used to produce cotton (2021). Upland cotton Upland cotton comes from the cotton species Gossypium Hirsutum and can also be referred to as Mexican cotton.  This type of cotton makes up 90% of all cotton cultivation and production, and is most often found and harvested across Central America. It grows well in the majority of climates, and therefore can be produced worldwide.  Upland cotton ranges from short-to-medium length cotton fibres and is known for good quality everyday products. Upland cotton is perfect for bulk cotton fabric production due to its low cost compared to other species, yet it is usually not used for finer fabrics unless it is a specific type with a longer staple.  Acala cotton is a type of Upland cotton grown in the San Joaquin Valley Acala in California, and is among the highest quality Upland cottons – with a longer staple. However due to immigration requirements, Acala cotton is more expensive than other cottons made in America. Is it likely that the majority of the cotton garments in your wardrobe are made or blended with Upland cotton of some variety.  Egyptian cotton Egyptian cotton is a type of cotton originating from the species Gossypium Barbadense that grows along the river Nile in Egypt. Egyptian cotton makes up less than 10% of all cotton production and despite the name, is widely produced in India and China today. Egypt is not even in the top 10 producers of Egyptian cotton in the world anymore – the title is more of a symbol of quality. The Gossypium Barbadense that originates from Egypt has long-staple fibres due to the climate, and therefore makes much higher quality cotton than Upland cotton. Egyptian cotton is most frequently used within soft furnishings such as bedding, cushion covers or even bathrobes due to its soft, luxurious nature. Egyptian cotton has a certain precedent, and therefore sometimes products are labelled as ‘Egyptian cotton’ even if the fabric is a low-quality blend in order to get consumers to purchase. Pima cotton Pima cotton is a variety of cotton that is also produced from the species Gossypium Barbadense (the same species as Egyptian cotton) and can also be referred to as Sea Island Cotton. Pima cotton once again makes up less than 10% of all cotton production, and is most frequently produced in the US – however it originated in Peru and was cultivated in the US through the Pima Native American tribe, where it got its name. Pima cotton is a type of extra-long-staple cotton, and is very smooth and resistant to rips, pilling, and fading. Due to its high-quality, Pima cotton is more expensive than Upland cotton.  Supima cotton is a type of Pima cotton that is grown in specific areas of the US, and makes up less than 1% of all cotton production in the world. In order to be considered Supima cotton, organic cultivation practices have to be abided by.  How is cotton fabric made? Cotton fabric starts at the cotton plant – once the plant matures and the flowers fall off, the seeds grow fibres that expand into the fluffy cotton boll that can be harvested. Cotton bolls were picked and de-seeded by hand up until the invention of the cotton gin, and now the cotton fibres are harvested with cotton stripper machines and separated from the dirt and seeds within the cotton boll with automated circular saws in the gins.  Once the fibres are cleaned and separated, they can be formed into large bales that will eventually form the fabric. The bales are sent to textile production factories or mills where the raw fibres are cleaned and carded by machines. The cleaned fibres are combed and formed into slivers – these slivers get twisted into what we know as yarns and can be turned into fabric through loom machines in the factories. Yarns can also be used in other ways, but for the purpose of bulk cotton fabric production, machine looming is the easiest way. Once the fabric is made, it remains in its natural state until it is bleached or dyed in order for further use. ‘Greige’ cotton or unbleached cotton can be utilised by companies that want to dye their own fabric for production, and can be a way to save on costs for start-ups or SME’s, as well as helping with sustainability, as there is less waste this way.  The cotton fabric, once treated with the necessary chemicals and dyed, is then ready for purchase and distribution

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Leather Alternatives – Cactus Leather, Pineapple Leather, Mushroom Leather, Apple Leather, Corn Leather, Flower Leather

With the traditional leather industry receiving some backlash over sustainable and ethical issues recently, many eyes have turned to different types of leather alternatives to step in and take its place as front runners of the fashion industry. There are a huge variety of plant-based leathers on the market and soon to be on the market as of today. Many things that could be considered unusual in terms of materials can actually be turned into leather alternatives ready for production.  Cactus leather As we try to shift away from mass-produced plastic goods, cactus leather offers itself as a sustainable solution to the leather problem.  Cactus leather is 100% natural and organic, and started with the brand Desserto in 2019. The brand produces out of Mexico and has remained in the spotlight ever since their invention was presented to the world by the inventors Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez. Cactus’ require little water to grow, and due to its harvesting process of only picking the mature leaves to ensure the core of the cacti is kept intact, in 6-8 months the leaves will grow back in full and will be able to be re-harvested again.  The whole process is extremely sustainable, and non-toxic chemicals are used to mix into the mushed leaves mixture to turn into the leather structure.  The leather alternative is extremely high-quality and partially biodegradable, alongside being soft and durable. It is able to be used within clothing, accessories, furniture and car interiors. Pineapple leather (Piñatex) Pineapple leather, otherwise known as Piñatex, is a pioneer low impact and cruelty free leather alternative made from waste pineapple leaves that was traditionally made by Filipino people.  The brand Ananas Anam makes Piñatex and it is now used within the fashion industry as a replacement for real leather and plastic leather, however whilst low impact, it is not completely sustainable and used petroleum-based resin in its production. Piñatex is created by felting long fibres from the leaves together to create a non-woven substrate. The fibres are washed and dried and then felted together to make the base of the leather. The material is then shipped to Spain where it is processed into leather and shipped to brands. Piñatex is widely known in the industry now and is used by a range of designers in their collections. It is featured on Mytheresa.com and used by brands such as H&M, Hugo Boss, and Paul Smith. More than 500 manufacturers have used Piñatex since its commercial launch in 2015.  Pineapple leather allows farmers to generate additional income by sorting and selling long leaves suitable for fiber production, instead of burning them or leaving them to rot. This is a great step in the development of a more environmentally conscious fashion industry.  Mushroom leather Mushroom leather was initially developed using mushroom spores and plant fibres as an alternative to animal leather. The use of Mycelium as leather has been tested more and more in recent years after it’s official development in 2013 – however is often overlooked due to the inconsistencies that happen during the growth process that lead to the leather-like material varying in tensile strength, thickness, and breathability. There are many ways to make mushroom leather – one way is to incorporate plant fibres, allowing the mushroom mycelium to grow into a flexible and soft living textile. These techniques are still being improved on today, and maybe in the future manufacturers will have perfected this leather alternative to make it more widely available to the general public. Recently, both Stella McCartney and Hermes have announced that they will be incorporating mushroom leather into their collections. Hermes is debuting a handbag created using the leather-imitation material made by Californian-based company MycoWorks. Stella McCartney will be using Mylo. This comes as a collaboration with Bolt Threads who produced Mylo as a bio-based leather alternative that will be launching in 2022 through its various partners. Other (less popular) plant-based leather alternatives There are a few more options when it comes to plant-based leathers on the market that are perhaps not as widespread or as sustainable as the options above.  Apple Leather One of these is apple leather – which was developed from 50% apple waste and made commercially viable with the help of Frumat. It is an ecological, breathable, waterproof and durable fabric that has helped to reduce waste, however is usually incorporated with PU and therefore is not as sustainable as some other plant-based leathers.  Corn Leather Another is corn leather, a vegan leather material derived from corn, which is made by the brand Veja. The corn leather material is a waxed canvas, coated with resin from the corn waste industry that looks and feels similar to leather. Flower Leather/Fleather There is also flower leather, made by Kanpur Flower Cycling out of leftover temple flowers. ‘Fleather’ was thought of after the brand noticed that the dyes, chemicals and pesticides were seeping from the flowers and into the river and set about coming up with a way to repurpose them.  There are bound to be many more plant-based alternatives being developed in the coming years as a means to end the animal leather industry and provide an alternative to plastic options, and seeing them used more frequently on the market would be great for everyone! For more Seamless Source blogs click here.

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The Resale Market – Top 5 Post-Pandemic Consumer Behaviours

There has been a boom in resale market. Gone are the days where charity shops and second-hand resale markets were seen to be for people who could not afford to buy new clothes. “Vintage, Thrifting” are now associated with “unique, trendy, cool” according to the new generations. Concurrently, there has been a new shifted post pandemic consumer behaviour.  The increase of conscious consumers and the booming of the digital resale marketplace online such as The RealReal, Thred up, depop, eBay has disrupted the fashion industry. The pandemic has provoked our new frugal purchase behaviour due to environmental concern, affordability and ease of access to the online resale platform. Thredup reported “33 m consumers bought secondhand apparel for the first time in 2020”.  As consumers like us have made the resale market more demanding. Big brands are reacting to our demand and shifting their business models from linear to circular. Big companies like Selfridges, Zalando, Harvey Nichols have already launched their resale collection range since august and H&M Canada has joined the resale market in September. Luxury brands like Gucci and The RealReal are partnering to launch and promote the circular fashion economy. These are the top 5 reasons for the shifted Post-Pandemic Consumer Behaviour Towards Resale Market. Environmental concern The pandemic has made us more ethical sustainable consumers. We are prioritising sustainability more than ever when doing a purchase decision  It has helped us to create a better and healthier mindset. Research has shown 1 in 3 consumers wears sustainable clothing than pre-pandemic. As we had time to reflect our purchase behaviour consumers are adopting circular practices more than ever.  Rise in unemployability  The growing unemployment has also influenced the second-hand market. The studies have found there were 52.6 million sellers on the resale market of which 67% were first time sellers. According to Accenture, more consumers rank their finance as their top three priorities. It has also been predicted that consumers like us staying at home may have stopped buying new clothes but we are still looking for bargains online. This has made us more open to selling our pre-owned clothes for extra finance and cash.  Post-pandemic economic uncertainty  Due to economic uncertainty consumers focus more on investing in quality over quantity clothing. Luxury resale markets – have risen. As people are not going anywhere for their holidays and there have been little travels for the past 2 years. They have saved money to buy resale luxury goods. The resale market has risen, however luxury brands have been hesitant to introduce resale markets as this may affect their exclusivity.  Affordability of resale market Another massive driving force to second-hand clothing is affordability.  The affordability of the luxury market during the pandemic has increased the number of shoppers in the luxury market. Moreover, the easy access to online thrifting has made the biggest shifts in the fashion industry.  Work from home culture The pandemic has created a new culture to work from home which has partly influenced and increased the culture of binge online shopping from their comfort. We have found a new hobby to kill our boredomness, a new way of easier and quicker shopping online, to find better deals. Research has shown most consumers who buy online are seen more delighted when they find garments with still tags on. It has been argued in the past the convenient resale online market has only generated addiction to binge shopping and not helping the environment impact, due to the affordability and the feeling of accomplishment of finding bargains.   Regardless of the motivation, there has been a dramatic rise in the second-hand clothing market and it is going to stay. As more and more consumers are concerned about sustainability issues. Fashion experts believe circular fashion is the future trend of the industry and brands who are shifting their business models from linear to circular will dominate the market.  For more Seamless Source blogs, click here.

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Summer 2022’s Upcoming Fashion Trends Forecasted from Summer 2021’s Biggest Hits

There had been a multitude of big fashion trends last year, and in this article we take a look back to some of summers biggest trends to see where we may be heading for Summer 2022. Prairie Dresses With the rise of Cottagecore fashion (think Victorian English countryside, picnics, and flowers) thanks to platforms such as Tiktok and Instagram, prairie dresses might have taken the title for the biggest trend of summer 2021. Prairie dresses consist of long, floaty silhouettes made of materials such as linen, cotton, broderie anglaise, and tulle. Usually featuring lighter base colours such as whites and creams, as well as pastel florals, and bolder neutral checks. They are adorned with ruffles, lots of layers and usually feature puffy sleeves and fitted waists.           Dresses are always a staple for Summer – but this delve into prairie seems to be coming full circle to the retro embodiment of the season. The reason these dresses always come back on-trend could be down to how universally flattering and timeless they are – looking good on the majority of people. With a variety of styles and patterns to fit everyone, it is likely we will see these constantly throughout the summer months. Although stemming from the past – modernisation through TV shows such as Bridgerton (which has undoubtedly popularised the trend) is evident, and many fashion brands have embraced the trend. The above example showing how they can be styled with current bags and trainers and will therefore seamlessly fit into many people’s wardrobes. Crochet After a year of lockdowns that have pushed people to get in touch with their crafty side, crochet seems to be the next big thing! Usually associated with the older generation, crochet has become much more mainstream over the past few months – with many seeing the potential to create amazing things from accessories to garments. Making your own clothes is something that many people are starting to get into, with sustainability and ethical fashion at the top of a lot of individuals’ priority lists. Crochet is an extremely accessible way to start doing this – with lots of simple tutorials online with guides on how to make things from bucket hats to crop tops. If you want to get involved with the trend and aren’t interested in learning how to crochet, however, there are still plenty of options! Brands have seen the rise in DIY fashion and decided to hop on the trend, producing a whole range of crochet items. One of the most featured items last summer was the crochet mini dress from Zara, who had been getting a lot of their inspiration from 70s colours that season. The dress is the perfect way to try out the crochet trend whilst still looking current and cool – and it can be seen all over Instagram and Tiktok already again. Metallics Moving into the season where finally we can start getting back out and about, it only makes sense that we would want to stand out. This means that eye-catching metallics are back, with the opportunity to make a statement whilst out for dinner or drinks.   Metallics do not have to be garish – and this summer trend features more of the neutral palette of metallics, such as greys and pastels. It can be seen on evening jackets, pleated midi skirts, and accessories such as shoes and bags. The pretty sheen of metallics makes any outfit shine, and the trend will likely continue on into Autumn/Winter, so you won’t have to worry about the longevity of your purchase if you decide to buy into the trend. The benefit of this trend is that metallic shoes and midi skirts were popular not so long ago – which means that there will be plenty of current items available on second-hand sites such as Depop and even in your local charity shop. This means you can have fun trying it out without contributing to over-consumption. Orange More specifically – bold, warm oranges. Orange is not normally the ‘it’ colour, however, in 2021, there was more call for bolder choices which means that it is oranges time to shine instead of the usual yellow or pink. It will be featured in both womenswear and menswear, and some key fabrics include satin, jersey, and cotton. The trend is quite self-explanatory and is not something that will go out of style quickly, so if the colour calls to you, then make sure to try it out. Scarves The final big trend from Summer 2021 is scarves. Scarves are definitely not a new thing and have been making their way into mainstream fashion for some time now. You can usually see influencers sporting scarf tops and tying them around their designer handbags – yet before now they were not a massive thing for the general public. Scarves being repurposed into crop tops look amazing but are usually just impractical and lead to outfit mishaps (which nobody wants). So the trend has led to new innovations within the industry, including scarf tops with sleeves and bandeau tops. This style is an amazing way to look chic and effortless, and is the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe! No doubt we will continue to see these trends this year, as some styles are timeless and continue to rock. We hope this gave you some inspiration! So, which style will you be flaunting this summer?   For more Seamless Source blogs click here.

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Sustainable Certifications – A Simple Guide for Brands

Introduction Traceability within sustainable fashion has become a key issue for the industry with a number of questions being raised by both consumers and brands – such as how can companies authenticate their sustainability claims? A possible advance for finding out how legitimate brands are when it comes to their sustainable and ethical output is complex, as the whole supply chain must be examined, however, certain measures allow us a glimpse inside of this. The first place we can look when judging sustainability as a whole for a brand is whether they have any certifications that back up their claims. This blog lists a range of certificates and organisations involved in sustainable development.  Read on to discover just a few of the variety of companies that provide certifications and which areas they are focused on. Environmental Sustainability The environmental impact encompasses the lifecycle of a product, from the raw materials used in the manufacturing process to the disposal of the product. This takes into account the energy usage, water usage, safe materials, circularity, and air pollution involved in the life cycle. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is made up of these four organisations: What does the organisation focus on? GOTS focuses on certifying the sustainable organic status of natural fibres. This is done by tracing the sustainable materials and the source of the raw materials to the manufacturer of the fibre. The Global Recycled Standard The Global Recycled Standard is part of the certifications developed by the organisation Control Union in the United States. What does the company focus on? Control Union is a global network of organisations that originates from the agriculture industry. The organisations’ purpose is to promote and develop solutions for sustainable supply chain management relating to the food, feed, forestry, biomass, bioenergy, social compliance and textiles markets. The Global Recycle Standard ownership was transferred to the Textile Exchange in 2011. The GRS provides the requirements for third-party audits related to certifying the recycled content of a product. This service is applicable to companies involved in the ‘ginning, spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, printing and stitching’ textile production processes. Bluesign Bluesign is based in Switzerland and works with a range of companies globally. What does the company focus on? Bluesign focuses on tracing the sustainability of the textile supply chain from raw materials to final products. They act as an independent organisation that determines the environmental sustainability of a product. The organisation works with companies to develop and maintain more sustainable fashion production solutions. Bluesign BSBL: The bluesign® SYSTEM BLACK LIMITS (BSBL) specify threshold limits for chemical substances in finished chemical products such as auxiliaries or dyes. BSBL is revised at least once a year. Carbon Trust Standard (CTS) Carbon Trust has developed the CTS with the head office in the UK and other office locations in China, Singapore, The Netherlands, Mexico, and South Africa. What does the organisation focus on? Carbon Trust works as a partner with governments, companies and businesses to develop, implement and verify their carbon-neutral goals. The Carbon Trust Standard involves the following: Leather Working Group Leather Working Group is a global not-for-profit organisation. What does the organisation focus on? They are responsible for the world’s leading environmental certification for the leather manufacturing industry. LWG has over 1300 members, and aims to improve the impact of the LWG supply chain in a holistic way by becoming the overarching standard for leather manufacturing, covering all elements & actors in the leather value chain. Better Cotton Initiative Better Cotton is the world’s leading sustainability initiative for cotton. What does the organisation focus on? They have 7 principles of ‘better cotton’ that they stick to in order to ensure its sustainability and ethicality: Social Sustainability The social impact considers the effects on the employees of the brand throughout the supply chain regarding wages, well-being and working conditions. Also, the social impacts extend to the effects of the manufacturing processes on the well-being of those connected to it. This includes the effects on people and animals connected to the materials and processes used in the manufacturer of the products. The following are examples from organisations that assess and trace a company’s social sustainability throughout the fashion supply chain Ethical Trading Initiative The ETI is an organisation for ethical trading, with global impact throughout charities and companies alike. What does the organisation focus on? All corporate members of the ETI agree to adopt the ETI Base Code of labour practice, which is based on the standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). They work out the most effective steps companies can take to implement their Base Code in supply chains. Fairtrade Foundation The Fairtrade Foundation operates internationally with its headquarters in the UK. What does the company focus on? The purpose of this foundation is to enforce fair prices, good working conditions and economic sustainability for workers and farmers in the developing world. This initiative helps support the workers’ livelihood and enable a stable future. This involves an array of industries including the food and fashion industry. What does the FAIRTRADE mark mean? The core FAIRTRADE Mark is recognised around the world. An amazing 93% of UK shoppers recognise and 83% trust it when deciding whether a product is ethical. The FAIRTRADE Mark is a registered certification label for products sourced from producers in developing countries.  The Mark is used only on products certified in accordance with Fairtrade Standards and on promotional materials to encourage people to buy Fairtrade products. As Fairtrade has grown we have developed new ways to connect farmers to business to increase their Fairtrade sales, bring more Fairtrade benefits to them and give you more ways to support Fairtrade farmers through your shopping. The new FAIRTRADE Sourced Ingredients (FSI) Mark is used for one or two ingredients in a wider range of products. Businesses can apply for a licence to use the FAIRTRADE Mark on their approved products. Ecovadis Founded in 2007, Ecovadis provide business sustainability ratings and are the

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Fashion Events – Innovative Events Leading the Industry

There are an array of different fashion events in and around Europe hosting a variety of meet-up opportunities for creatives, including awards ceremonies, trade fairs, catwalk shows and more.  In this list we go through some of the most iconic annual events for the industry, with huge events in London and Paris to smaller events that are more accessible to the masses. The Fashion Awards The British Fashion Council (BFC) hosts The Fashion Awards in the final stages of the year. The annual celebration of creativity and innovation shines a spotlight on exceptional individuals and influential businesses that have made significant contributions to the global fashion industry over the past twelve months. The Fashion Awards usually takes place in Royal Albert Hall in London and is hosted by an array of important people such as Billy Porter who has over 30 successful years in the industry. Awards such as Designer of the Year and the BFC Foundation Award are presented to winners voted by over 800 key members. Brand Licensing Europe Brand Licensing Europe brings together 7,800+ retailers and manufacturers with 260 leading brand owners and agents across entertainment, art, sports, corporate brands, gaming, heritage and more to identify new trends, build partnerships and secure brands’ rights. BLE is a must-attend event for businesses looking to discover and secure deals with the most sought-after brands, characters and images available for licensing.  Fashions Finest During LFW Fashions Finest is an independent established and professional London Based platform showcasing hand-selected emerging and established designers each season, from the UK and abroad during London Fashion Week. Fashions Finest has been in existence for over 10 years and their shows are renowned for discovering and giving opportunities to emerging brands and attracting international media, fashion press, VIP’s and fashionistas who want to see the new trends that are being developed by the designers that Fashions Finest feature. Sneaker Con Sneaker Con is the world’s premier sneaker show, providing a huge space for vendors and attendees to buy, sell, and trade some of the most sought-after footwear in the game. Sneaker Con returns to London annually for an epic event in the largest convention centre in the UK. The event usually features up to 200 different sneaker vendors with the largest collections available in the UK. Attendees are encouraged to bring their heat and upgrade their collection.  Pure London Pure London is more than a fashion trade show, they bring together the brightest minds in the industry twice a year to showcase the best of the season’s collections, discover the latest trends, get exclusive business insight and make all-important international connections. Pure London provides a global platform for womenswear, accessories and footwear brands and designers to meet with buyers that matter the most to their business. This trade show usually takes place in Olympia, London. Premiere Vision Premirere Vision aim to nourish, inspire, and decipher trends for fashion professionals. They are a creator of encounters and business opportunities, historically via shows, for all the players in the industry – designers, stylists, managers creating innovative collections. Premiere Vision takes place in Paris, France and hosts a multitude of professionals over a number of days, with vast arenas aiming to show new trends and visions. Bare Fashion Bare Fashion is the UK’s only 100% Vegan Fashion Show. As well as the catwalk, people have the chance to discover 100’s of new, vegan and cruelty-free brands. Pop-up shops featuring clothing, beauty and skincare are available. New to this year’s event is a panel of incredible speakers that will be discussing everything there has to do with the vegan fashion industry and living sustainably. There will also be a VIP area for our lucky VIP ticket holders! Africa Fashion Week London AFWL is the largest and longest running, culturally diverse fashion and trade exhibition in Europe. Since its creation in 2011, AFWL has left a legacy showcasing 900 designers, in front of an audience of more than 70,000 attendees, and represented more than 50 countries with 30 of them being African. AFWL is one of the most coveted cultural and culturally diverse fashion and trade show events in Europe with more than 3.3 million views across multiple platforms and 34 million impressions online. Scoop International Scoop is one of the leading designer womenswear trade shows in London – held at the iconic Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea. It has encompassed an edited line up of premium women’s fashion as well as luxury home, beauty, lifestyle and mens collections. The exclusive edit comes from emerging international designers, many of whom select Scoop as their only trade platform. Scoop is famed for its unique aesthetic, with over 250 designer labels around outstanding works of contemporary art and a bespoke buying environment for new season collectors.  Fashion SVP Fashion SVP, UK’s leading sourcing show, presenting over 100 leading apparel producers in 21 countries in London. Sourcing Briefing seminars are held at the event, which feature industry expert speakers presenting major issues of trend, product development and production.  Plus there are insightful clinics at The Fashion Station, fabric and trend demonstrations, an industry jobs forum and great networking opportunities. There are hundreds of other amazing fashion events out there, these are only a select few, so be sure to keep your eye out for the next in fashion news online, and check back to our blog for any future posts!

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Technology In Retail – 8 Must Haves!

Integrating online and offline to create digitally enhanced stores is the key for future success! Retail continues to outperform digital channels in terms of conversion to purchase rates, which is around 20% for prime physical retail compared to e-commerce’s 3%. Technology in retail is here to stay! It can bring the brand alive in a way that online shopping can’t. Technology In Retail: Listed below are examples of how stores can create exciting, convenient and digitally enhanced shopping experiences for consumers to drive their sales post-pandemic. A Brand App Customers can: Book appointments to visit the store Create wish lists to be ready on arrival Be guided to products in store through arrow directions on their device Check prices and size availability Order products to be delivered quickly to their home Scan items while shopping and pay instantly Receive personalised offers AR Interactions with products having AR content showed a 94% higher conversion rate than products without AR. Try-on tools allow consumers to shop virtually from home or try products on that are not in the store to see how they fit their body. Using AR, mannequins can come to life and appear as if they are on a catwalk wearing the clothes to give the customer an idea of how the clothes fit and styling inspiration. This could be used in store window displays too, where shoppers on the street recreate the effect of an audience at a catwalk. Contactless & Phone Payments Contactless has never been more essential to avoid unnecessary human interaction as consumers become more safety obsessed. Customers should have the option to pay for a product from their phone anywhere in store instead of at designated checkout points for added convenience. AI This is the ultimate tool for personalisation as consumer preferences are easily measured. Products can be specifically chosen for customers in the neighbourhood where the store is located, pre-selected by AI and customer data which shows the styles and products most popular in that area. It can keep track of stock levels and make sure items are not out of stock by informing managers or automatically re-ordering products. QR codes Can be used anywhere in store, for example on clothing rails or displays for consumers to learn more about the collection and explore the story behind the items. Available on all product labels to access information such as where the product was made, where the materials are from and how sustainable it is. They could also be used on social distancing ground markers, which allows consumers to browse menus or search products, if they need to queue. High Tech Mirrors For use in changing rooms and across the retail store. The mirror shows how a product will fit without trying it on, styling recommendations and other products available in your size to create an outfit. RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags on products trigger nearby mirrors, which transform into screens and display relevant video content. Memomi is the award-winning smart mirror software transforming the luxury shopping market, find out more here: https://memorymirror.com/ “Clientelling” This is a technique used by sales assistants to establish relationships with customers based on data about their preferences and behaviours. Digital tools for store employees, such as iPads has a big conversion rate as staff can give customers a personalised and relevant experience by viewing their ‘shopping profiles’. They can see their recent searches, past purchases and saved items, then use this information to recommend products specifically suited to them. Interactive Vending machine This is an exciting and interactive point of sale, featuring a large touchscreen where users can play games, explore available products in greater detail, alongside visual storytelling. It’s easy for customers to find products all in one place and acts as a very “instagrammable” experience – which is exactly what stores need!

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