Sustainability is continuously changing. The fashion industry and other industries may have caused many global challenges however many companies are making exciting new changes and innovations to keep sustainability front of mind. Let’s review some of the fashion industry’s triumphs in 2020 to give hope for sustainable fashion 2021.

Uniqlo Gives Clothes a Second-life

Uniqlo has led the narrative among the bigger brands by tackling a major issue in the world, reducing the number of clothes sent to landfill. Uniqlo’s new venture, Reuniqlo is a Circular Sustainability Program in selected countries, dedicated to recycling the clothes you don’t need.How does it work? Uniqlo will take your preloved garments, freshen them up and distribute them to refugees and disaster victims around the world. We’ve got reducing, recycling, and reusing there – way to go Uniqlo! Let’s look forward to seeing this worldwide in the future. Check it out at https://www.uniqlo.com/en/re-uniqlo/

Clothes Renting is getting serious!
Lockdown has influenced the way we spend; we’ve become much more careful about what we buy. A handful of companies have taken the opportunity to introduce a new initiative; allowing consumers to rent luxury fashion garments.

Selfridges is one of the latest retailers to team up with over 40 brands, allowing shoppers to borrow high-fashion pieces for up to 20 days starting from £30! This new initiative, the Selfridges’ Project Earth, aims to put sustainability at the heart of the business and allowing us to be flexible with our wardrobes. Thanks, Selfridges! https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/features/project-earth/

Nike’s ethos becomes more sustainable
Nike has recently announced their journey towards zero carbon and zero waste to help protect the future of the sport by introducing various different initiatives. Finally placing sustainability at the top of their list. Various plans include combining recycled polyester and organic cotton which helps reduces carbon emissions, less water, and chemicals. Search Nike online now to find products starting to contain recycled materials. Currently less than 50%, but with Nike’s size and influence, we’re hoping this trend continues to grow.

Developments on the Horizon for Sustainable Fashion 2021
Previously, many organizations used unsustainable processes that have affected our planet by increasing carbon emissions and increasing waste. However, now more than ever companies are beginning to change their ways by introducing exciting new sustainable innovations. Sustainable materials are the major examples, Other areas of innovation and development include:

• Eco-leather – There are many non-leather replicas on the market created from synthetic fibers, but new developments have shown that using pineapple and fruit leaves could be a future alternative.

• Bamboo – Regenerative, biodegradable, and versatile. Bamboo is always used for plastic-alternatives for homeware, however, there’s plenty of opportunities within fashion too.

• Hemp – Can be combined with other materials such as cotton or linen. Hemp is much more resistant than cotton and one of the most environmentally friendly fabrics that will definitely be explored further.

• Wood – If sustainably sourced it is one of the worlds most abundant and usable materials. Although not new there are opportunities in the area of clothes accessories to utilising the very fibres themselves.

Wood watches are one such example, with the luxury watch brand, Tense, creating all their high-quality watches from wood sourced from around the world. By acknowledging that trees are essential to our life on earth, Tense has made a pledge to be part of One Percent for the Planet who supports a network of environmental organizations by donating 1% of sales.

It’s evident there will be many sustainably focused developments in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled as sustainability is definitely here to stay!