Background news and archive

Changemakers in fashion (part 6): Dr. Natascha van der Velden on what progress looks like

There are countless sustainability initiatives, but who in the fashion industry is truly driving the transition, whether their efforts are visible to the public or not? We interview changemakers, consultants, sustainability experts and activists in fashion. What can we learn from their work? In episode 6: Dr. ir. Natascha van der Velden, an...

Changemakers in fashion (part 5): Leanne Heuberger, CSR specialist at Zeeman

Changemakers in fashion (part 4): Baptiste Carrière-Pradal, co-founder and director of 2B Policy

There are countless sustainability initiatives, but who in the fashion industry is truly driving the transition, whether their efforts are visible to the general public or not? We interview changemakers, consultants, sustainable fashion experts and activists. What can we learn from their work? In this fourth instalment, FashionUnited spoke with...

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From bounce-back to bankruptcy: Inside Claire’s renewed financial struggles

After weeks of speculation, Claire’s has finally filed for bankruptcy protection in the US. For the teen accessories retailer, this marks the second descent into bankruptcy in seven years, with this latest filing heightening fears over what is to come for its international network of stores. How did Claire’s come to such a predicament? Let’s...

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Changemakers in fashion (part 3): Saqib Sohail, head of Responsible Business Projects at Artistic Milliners

There are countless sustainability initiatives, but who in the fashion industry is truly driving the transition—whether or not their efforts are visible to the broader public? We interview changemakers, consultants, sustainable fashion experts and activists. What can we learn from their work? In this third installment, FashionUnited speaks with...

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Background: The Gore-Tex brand and the tricky business of PFAS functionality

The crackdown on PFAS in functional clothing has been widespread in recent years, particularly as their harm to both the environment and humans becomes more broadly researched. It has forced leaders in the outerwear and sportswear industry to rethink their approach to implementing practical features into their designs, and has seen many facing...

For a circular economy and fashion industry, behavioural change is key

Research shows that if 25 percent of consumers change their behaviour, it can be enough to establish a new norm. This could also apply to fashion. The message from Mirella Soyer, professor of behaviour for circular transitions at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, is clear: to achieve a circular economy, we need behavioural change. The...

How to comply with the CSRD? Frontrunner Schijvens Corporate Fashion shares the tips for SME companies

Schijvens Corporate Fashion is a leader in sustainability and has taken a pioneering role in preparing for the CSRD. Although the reporting requirement is not yet in effect for SMEs, the Brabant-based family business, which falls into this category, has already provided sustainability information with its latest annual financial statement...

Who makes our clothes? Fashion Production Explained

Ever wondered who actually makes your clothes and how fashion's supply chain impacts workers' lives? This deep dive unpacks how fashion production works and explores what’s needed for meaningful change in the industry. FashionUnited interviewed Kim van der Weerd, a former factory manager with a background in human rights, who advocates for a...

The Gen Z dilemma: eco-conscious but addicted to fast fashion

One of the most-read articles on FashionUnited in October was about unauthorised Shein outlets -- pop-up shops that pretend to be by the Chinese internet giant but are simply riding on the brand's popularity. Pop-up shops opened in Dutch cities such as Arnhem, Utrecht and Rotterdam, offering clothes at extremely low prices. These shops have been...

The future of fashion: is less more?

A confession. My original research question was, “What if the fashion industry simply made less clothes?” (Over)production, reducing speed and seasons could be the answer to almost everything?!, was my thought process. As in: for sustainability in the clothing sector and more broadly: in the pursuit of a circular economy (see text frame below)....

From design, supply, distribution, marketing to retail: How AI is being used in the fashion industry

Attention fashion brands and retailers: how you can use Artificial Intelligence to make your business more intelligent and/or efficient “Artificial intelligence (AI) can make the fashion industry smarter,” said Matthew Drinkwater, head of the Fashion Innovation Agency at the London College of Fashion and specialist in new technologies and their...