After Mylo, the “leather” from mycelium, also Circulose, the textile fiber from recycled cotton, stops
Last year, the company Bolt Threads decided to put Mylo, an innovative “leather” from mycelium, on hold, despite the support of large brands such as Adidas, Kering and Stella McCartney. A couple of weeks ago, Renewcell, the renowned manufacturer of Circulose, had to file for bankruptcy despite significant support and partnerships gained in the industry. The pause of Bolt Threads and the failure of Renewcell, two major players in sustainable fashion, raise questions about the fashion industry’s effectiveness in supporting innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact. Renewcell Renewcell is a Swedish company known for its technology that recycles cotton T-shirts and jeans destined for landfill into a new material, Circulose,…
Mango and brands’ investment in clothing rental
In March 2023, the online press reported the investment of the fast fashion brand Mango in clothing rental. In fact, the large fashion company has started a pilot test called “Mango Renting” to enter the rental business, investing in the La Más Mona platform. With this initiative, the Spanish clothing giant offers customers the opportunity to borrow a limited selection of its garments: 40 items updated monthly, with prices ranging from 30 to 36 euros. You select the dress, choose the delivery date and schedule the collection within 4 days at the original delivery address or another chosen by the customer. Mango started this pilot test with the aim of…
Is pineapple leaf fabric sustainable?
Pinatex is an innovative fabric created as a sustainable alternative to both mass-produced leather and polluting synthetic materials. It is made from pineapple leaves by Ananas Anam, a UK-based B-corporation. For the SUMAS sustainable fashion management MBA, I prepared a detailed analysis to evaluate the biological and technical life cycle, to understand the advantages and disadvantages compared to the triple bottom line* model and the SDGs to which the material contributes. This article reports the theoretical contribution related to the analysis. Piñatex is composed of 70% pineapple leaves, 20% PLA (Polylactic acid), 5% Bio PU (Polyurethane) and 5% PU (Ananas Aman 2022). PLA (polylactic acid) is a plastic material of…
Upcycled: Miu Miu limited edition to denim
In the panorama of companies taking initiatives in sustainable fashion, Miu Miu presented in a limited edition its fourth Upcycled collection for 2024. The Upcycled project, launched in 2020, focuses on vintage clothing to add more value to. The collection includes Denim, a range of essential jeans garments, characterized by floral embroidery inspired by the haute couture of the 1950s already introduced in the Spring Summer 2022 fashion show. Upcycled wants to establish a connection between past and present by celebrating the stories of those who wore garments, bags or accessories. The new collection features pre-2000 jeans sourced from global denim specialists, with a meticulous hand process to maximize fabric…
From observers to participants: Consumer involvement in sustainable fashion
Consumer demand plays a significant role in driving sustainable practices in fashion. We are not simple observers but we participate in the transformation of the sector. By understanding consumer preferences, values, and purchasing behaviors, fashion brands can tailor their strategies to meet the growing demand for ethical and eco-friendly products and influence purchasing choices. Making known the importance of sustainable fashion is crucial for driving behavior change. Brands should engage proactively, sharing information on the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry and providing guidance on how to make informed purchasing decisions. Additionally, we expect them to inspire and empower consumers to support ethical and sustainable practices. Educating Consumers…
From behind the scenes of working in fast fashion to desire for a slower and more ethical fashion: Manuela talks about The Casual Twinkle
From traditional and fast fashion companies to her own platform that offers more sustainable clothing, Manuela Valta tells us about the behind the scenes of fast fashion companies, how to better choose clothing for our boys and girls and talks to us about the nature of mountains, distant travels and her experience as a single mother. Welcome to The Casual Twinkle’s world! Listen to the podcast on Speaker , Apple Podcasts or on Spotify: Hi Manuela, we’ve been chasing each other for years! “I don’t know how long we’ve been saying this, yes, it’s a pleasure to collaborate together. We really looked forward to each other, but above all we…
The battle between Temu and Shein: fight reaches the court
The antitrust battle between Shein and Temu companies reaches the US courts. Temu argues that Shein holds a monopoly in the ultra-fast fashion market, offering lower prices and newer styles than traditional fast fashion. Temu also accuses Shein of forcing producers into exclusive deals and threatens to impose fines if they don’t comply. Shein Shein, the popular ultra-fast fashion brand based in China and Singapore, is known for offering a wide selection of fashionable clothing, accessories and beauty products at very affordable prices. It primarily targets a young audience, with an emphasis on the latest fashion trends and a significant presence on social media for the promotion of its products.…
Illegal logging in Cambodia to feed the fashion industry
The garment sector in Cambodia is fueled by illegal logging. In the global fashion industry, the accusation of profiting at the expense of forests is nothing new. Last year, we published an article about research that highlighted the link between fashion and deforestation in the Amazon. The protected forest of 402,352 hectares that extends across the provinces of Kampong Speu, Koh Kong and Pursat is considered one of the best preserved rainforests in the country. It is an area rich in biodiversity. According to a survey conducted by Mongabay (2023)*, garment factories in Cambodia are using wood illegally harvested from these protected areas to fuel their boilers. The garment industry…
SHEIN: New report reveals dangerous chemicals in products
Ultra-fast fashion brand SHEIN has a “business model based on hazardous chemicals and environmental destruction” according to a recent investigation by Greenpeace Germany. SHEIN’s marketing bombards young people, through platforms like TikTok, with glamorous-looking items sold at bargain prices, promoted by micro- and macro-influencers who get free products and other benefits in return. However, little is known about the thousands of suppliers who cut and sew garments in Guangdong, China, and even less about the factories that wash and dye their fabrics, the major source of the pollution caused by SHEIN. To find out more about the products and especially the use of hazardous chemicals in the supply chain, Greenpeace…
Alert toxic products: two shoe models reported by the European Commission
The European Commission quickly reports the measures taken against dangerous non-food products among the national authorities responsible for product safety in single market countries. Every day the national authorities send alerts with information on the type of product detected as dangerous, a description of the risk and the measures taken by the economic operator or ordered by the authority. Two Guess shoe models are currently reported. The harmful chemicals we put on our feet while wearing shoes can exceed the permitted limits. The use of toxic chemicals for the environment and health is unfortunately currently one of the negative impacts of the fashion industry. Reports are definitely a useful tool,…
