Key Developments in Sustainable Fashion for October

A notable incident at New York Fashion Week involved CFDA CEO Steven Kolb, who resigned after physically restraining a PETA protester. PETA has been actively protesting H&M Group’s use of wool, following reports of animal welfare abuses at farms supplying the company.

On Living Wage Action Day, the Clean Clothes Campaign released its seventh edition of the Fashion Checker report. The findings reveal that, while some fashion brands are committing to pay living wages, very few are transparently reporting their progress. In Pakistan, garment workers are earning 74% less than the estimated living wage.

In regulatory news, new EU greenwashing legislation took effect on September 27, which bans unsubstantiated sustainability claims like “green” and “eco-friendly.”

Financially, SHEIN reported a 67% drop in quarterly profits, attributing the decline to rising freight costs and decreased sales in Europe. The retailer plans to introduce higher-priced brands in response.

A report from the University of Oxford indicated that the fashion industry influences nearly 30% of global farmland, expanding the assessment to include animal-derived materials alongside traditional crop impacts. This report also aims to address environmental analysis for alternative materials such as mycelium leather.

In legislative developments, US Congresswoman Chellie Pingree introduced a bill aimed at reducing textile waste and improving data collection in the industry.

Business of Fashion highlighted that the recent New York Climate Week seemed more focused on the formation of new sustainability coalitions rather than tangible climate achievements.

On a positive note, the denim brand Mud Jeans, which had filed for bankruptcy in August, is being revived by new owners who plan to emphasize circularity and smaller production runs.

Another Tomorrow launched a five-month pop-up at Galeries Lafayette in Paris, featuring a sustainable installation designed by architect Patricia Urquiola and made from recycled materials.

Additionally, high-rated brand SCATHED debuted its collection at New York Fashion Week, with founder Aza Lethe expressing gratitude for the support received.

PANGAIA introduced a new line of activewear made from EVO, a 100% bio-based material derived from castor beans and industrial corn, boasting improved drying times and lighter weight than traditional fabrics.