Every month, the Good On You team scours the internet to bring you the ethical and sustainable fashion news that matters—all in one place. Here’s what you need to know in October 2024.
Responsible Textile Recovery Act Passes in California (FashionUnited)
In a first for the US, California has passed an extended producer responsibility act which will mandate producers and others in the value chain to take responsibility for their products and textiles across their entire lifecycle. Rachel Kibbe, CEO of American Circular Textiles and Circular Services Group told FashionUnited that “The industry can no longer rely on voluntary commitments—accountability is now law.”
Italy Opens Greenwashing Probe Into SHEIN Website (Reuters)
Reuters reports that Italy’s antitrust agency is investigating a Dublin-based company that operates SHEIN’s website and app for potentially misleading environmental claims. Several claims are under investigation, including communications about decarbonisation, the use of “green” fabrics, and the extent to which SHEIN’s clothes are recyclable.
Where Does the UK’s Fast Fashion End Up? I Found Out on a Beach Clean in Ghana (The Guardian)
When fashion writer Fleur Britten and her daughter attended a beach clean in Ghana, they discovered a shocking scene of fast fashion clothing waste from the likes of Marks & Spencer, Next, and more. Britten’s full report on The Guardian highlights just how severe fashion’s waste problem is.
Milan Proposes Supply-Chain Database Amid Sweatshops Probe (Business of Fashion)
Business of Fashion reports that it has seen a draft plan from the Prefecture of Milan proposing the creation of a supply-chain database that would allow businesses to submit certifications of compliance with tax and labour laws, to address incidents of labour exploitation in fashion. At the moment though, submitting to the database would be voluntary, and it would be limited to Italy’s Lombardy region.
‘A Monumental Moment for Circular Fashion’: Vintage Clothes Conquer London (The Guardian)
This September, for the very first time, London Fashion Week hosted on-schedule shows by eBay and Oxfam featuring entirely second-hand clothes. Oxfam’s strategic communications lead and director of the event, Kehinde Brown, told The Guardian: “We are starting to see real change in attitudes, as people start to realise the benefits of preloved clothing. People are appreciating secondhand fashion as something more unique, often cheaper to buy, but also better for the planet.”
British Fashion is Failing to Act on the Climate Crisis (Collective Fashion Justice)
Ahead of London Fashion Week, a new report by Collective Fashion Justice revealed that only 3.39% of British Fashion Council brands have any emissions reduction targets, and that even fewer have a target aligned with the Paris Agreement. The organisation urged brands to take action, saying “Without science-based targets to reduce absolute emissions, the fashion industry is digging its own and our collective grave.”
PETA Wants More Than a Friendly Statement From Pharrell Williams (The New York Times)
In September PETA crashed Pharrell Williams’ film premiere, calling on him to stop using animal products at Louis Vuitton, where he is creative director. The New York Times reports that Williams surprised everyone by addressing the protest, indicating he had plans to make changes, but that it was a slow process. A representative for the animal rights organisation said that “working on it is not good enough.”
‘Good’ and ‘Great’ news
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Pantee Evolves Into Not Basics, Offering More Sustainable Wardrobe Essentials
“Good”-rated brand Pantee, which is loved for its underwear collections made from deadstock t-shirts, is branching out into all categories of more sustainable wardrobe essentials and changing its name to Not Basics to reflect the new direction. The brand’s inaugural line-up includes leggings, t-shirts, bodysuits, and sweatsuits, alongside its signature underwear line. It continues to use lower-impact materials and has implemented a zero-landfill policy in the fulfilment stage of its supply chain.
Boody Partners With Breast Cancer Charity for October
October is breast cancer awareness month, and to commemorate it, “Good” brand Boody is donating 100% of the profits made on its pink collection to the McGrath Foundation, which is based in Australia. The funds will go towards the foundation’s nurses, who support patients at every step of their cancer journey.
New Dedicated Collaboration Supports Sea Shepherd’s Marine Conservation
Loved for its creative collaborations, Dedicated (“Great”) has launched a new partnership with Sea Shepherd—an international, non-profit marine conservation organisation committed to ending overfishing and exploitation of our oceans. The collection features ocean-inspired prints across t-shirts, sweatshirts and accessories all made from organic cotton and hemp. 15% of Dedicated’s revenue from the collection will be donated to Sea Shepherd.
Outerknown Uses New Seaweed-Derived Material
Outerknown (“Good”) has partnered with next-generation-material specialist Keel Labs to use its Kelsun alginate fabric in a limited edition shirt. “Derived from seaweed, Kelsun is blended with natural fibres to reduce our need for arable land, pesticides, and fertiliser,” explains Outerknown, which is the first fashion brand in the world to employ the material in its designs.
