Environmental Sustainability in Fashion Supply Chains: An Exploratory Case Based Research

Abstract:
“In recent years, both researchers and practitioners have devoted attention to environmental sustainability issues in the fashion industry, but, despite the topic’s relevance, a structured analysis of the problem is missing. This paper presents the results of exploratory case-based research aimed at identifying three factors: the drivers that push companies to adopt “green” practices, the different practices that can be used to improve environmental sustainability, and the environmental KPIs measured by fashion companies. Results include a comparison of two approaches pursued by established international companies with green-positioned brands with the efforts of small firms that have adopted alternative supply chain models.”

Sustainable Textiles: The Role of Bamboo and A Comparison of Bamboo Textile Properties (Part 1)

Abstract:
“This paper delves into a subset of engineering for sustainable development—the engineering of sustainable textiles using bamboo. In particular, the document explores various questions relating to the subject, including: (1) what constitute sustainable textiles and (2) what role bamboo textiles can play in sustainable development. The experiments performed attempt to answer two main questions: (1) what are the differences in textile properties between chemically-manufactured and mechanically-manufactured bamboo textiles? and (2) what are the differences in textile properties between two different species of bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis and Bambusa emeiensis)?

We can look at the textile industry through the lens of the triple bottom line of sustainability. At present, the industry has a poor track record for social and environmental concerns. The two most commonly used textile fibres—cotton and polyester—both cause serious environmental problems in their life cycle. This dissertation focuses on one small aspect of the entire field of sustainable textiles—materials made from bio-based renewable resources in the form of bamboo species. The advantages of bamboo as a raw material include its fast renewability, its biodegradability, its efficient space consumption, its low water use, and its organic status. The advantages of bamboo fabric are its very soft feel (chemically-manufactured) or ramie-like feel (mechanically-manufactured), its antimicrobial properties, its moisture wicking capabilities and its anti-static nature. The main constraints of bamboo textiles are current costs and are those inherent in the textile industry: energy, water, and chemical requirements that are involved in manufacturing.”

Sustainable Fashion Supply Chain: Lessons from H&M

Abstract:
“Sustainability is significantly important for fashion business due to consumers’ increasing awareness of environment. When a fashion company aims to promote sustainability, the main linkage is to develop a sustainable supply chain. This paper contributes to current knowledge of sustainable supply chain in the textile and clothing industry. We first depict the structure of sustainable fashion supply chain including eco-material preparation, sustainable manufacturing, green distribution, green retailing, and ethical consumers based on the extant literature. We study the case of the Swedish fast fashion company, H&M, which has constructed its sustainable supply chain in developing eco-materials, providing safety training, monitoring sustainable manufacturing, reducing carbon emission in distribution, and promoting eco-fashion. Moreover, based on the secondary data and analysis, we learn the lessons of H&M’s sustainable fashion supply chain from the country perspective: (1) the H&M’s sourcing managers may be more likely to select suppliers in the countries with lower degrees of human wellbeing; (2) the H&M’s supply chain manager may set a higher level of inventory in a country with a higher human wellbeing; and (3) the H&M CEO may consider the degrees of human wellbeing and economic wellbeing, instead of environmental wellbeing when launching the online shopping channel in a specific country.”

Challenges and Solutions of Sustainable Apparel Product Development (A Case Study of Eileen Fisher)

Abstract:
“The three-fold purpose of this study is to document current challenges the apparel industry experiences in developing sustainable apparel, discover product development strategies for fulfilling sustainable business goals, and determine the principles guiding successful interaction between designers and the upstream supply chain. This study adopted a case study method to identify and communicate practical challenges and solutions of Eileen Fisher, a women’s apparel manufacturer. Data were collected from thirteen in-depth interviews conducted with members of the case company and its suppliers, with secondary data analysis from the case company’s website and archival records. The study identified five challenges the case company encountered with respect to maintaining product value, quality, and aesthetics, meeting needs of suppliers, and coping with higher material and labor costs. Five solutions were put into place supporting sustainability objectives, and which highlight the practice of innovation in design, optimizing timing and resources, gathering and diffusing information, relationship management, and making trade-offs for cost and value. Five principles, which guided the design team and its interaction with upstream suppliers, were identified and modeled. The implication for other apparel companies in overcoming challenges of sustainable product development is that it begins with a clear mission, strong company mandate, and like-minded supply partners. The authors believe that, in beginning to fill an area of limited research, examination of the connections between design process and the supply chain is imperative for advancing sustainable practices in the apparel and textile industry.”

Fast Fashion, Sustainability, and The Ethical appeal of Luxury Brands

Abstract:
“The phrase “fast fashion” refers to low-cost clothing collections that mimic current luxury fashion trends. Fast fashion helps sate deeply held desires among young consumers in the industrialized world for luxury fashion, even as it embodies unsustainability. Trends run their course with lightning speed, with today’s latest styles swiftly trumping yesterday’s, which have already been consigned to the trash bin. This article addresses the inherent dissonance among fast fashion consumers, who often share a concern for environmental issues even as they indulge in consumer patterns antithetical to ecological best practices. Seemingly adept at compartmentalism, and free of conflicted guilt, such consumers see no contradiction in their Janus-faced desires. Can luxury fashion, with ostensibly an emphasis on authenticity, and its concomitant respect for artisans and the environment, foster values of both quality and sustainability? Since individual identity continually evolves, and requires a materially referential re-imagining of self to do so, we hypothesize that actual rather than faux luxury brands can, ironically, unite the ideals of fashion with those of environmental sustainability.”

Marketing Eco-Fashion: The Influence of Brand Name and Message Explicitness

Abstract:
“This study investigated the influence of two variables – brand name and message explicitness – on attitude toward advertisement and attitude toward brand, and further, explored the impact of attitude toward advertisement, attitude toward brand, and other variables on consumer purchase intention. A questionnaire with an experimental design component was administered to 343 college students. Results revealed that respondents formed positive attitudes toward apparel brand when the advertising message contained explicit information about environmentally friendly products. Attitude toward brand, subjective norm, attitude toward advertisement, eco-fashion involvement, and environmental commitment were strong predictors of intention to purchase an environmentally friendly apparel brand. Implications are that apparel marketers may build more positive attitudes toward brands by providing explicit information about environmentally friendly products in their marketing claims. This may be one way for marketers to attract college students who are interested in purchasing environmentally friendly products, but who are not fully committed to a green lifestyle. Further, marketers may be able to reach those who are less interested in purchasing environmentally friendly products by raising awareness and knowledge of the benefits associated with their products and brands, which may help to establish a sustainable market for eco-fashion.”

Remediation: Discussing Fashion Textiles Sustainability

Abstract:
“This essay will review the idea of fashion (and by association textiles) sustainability to establish if it is a utopian ideal by looking at the triple bottom line in business relating to ‘people, profit, planet.’ To begin to answer this question, in the first instance, it is essential to define what sustainability is or is not in this clothing context. For the purpose of this discussion, sustainability will be explained in terms of its current principles relating to the social, economic and environmental consequences of our behavior as consumers. This essay seeks to explain the significance of the fashion and textiles sector and its importance in relation to our cultural and emotional connections to clothes. This will include historical and contemporary consumption patters (people), assessing the importance of the global industry driving macro and micro economics (profit), and outlining the physical impact the industry has, and is having, on the environment (planet).”

Emerging Design Strategies in Sustainable Production and Consumption of Textiles and Clothing

Abstract:
“This study contributes to current knowledge of sustainability in textile and clothing production and consumption. When the textile and clothing industry aims to promote sustainability, the main change factors have been linked to eco-materials and ethical issues in production. At present, however, business models are mainly linked with a large volume of sales and production. Although industrial development has moved toward smaller environmental impact, production as well as consumption has increased to levels where the benefits of technological development are reduced. A change is thus needed to reach a systemic transformation, not only in production but also in consumption. The aim of this paper is to open up the discussion on opportunities for radical change in this industry. The paper presents ways to rethink and redesign business in the textile and clothing field by offering an overview on several design strategies that exist today in niche markets. Furthermore we evaluate how interested consumers are in these design strategies and discuss the opportunities these design approaches offer to sustainable development through new value creation.”

Eileen Fisher’s Journey to 100 Percent Sustainability

By: Renee Farris – of TriplePundit (People, Planet, Profit)

Sustainable Fashion Needs A Consumer Revolution

By: Jenica Chuahiock – of Huffington Post (Canada)

Here’s How Sustainable Sweden’s Fashion Industry Is

By: Genevieve Scarano – of Sourcing Journal (SJ)

Fashion’s Faux and Sustainable Options: How Designers are Redefining Luxury with Ethical Substitutes

By: Rebecca Gonsalves – of Independent

17 Essential Eco-Friendly Fashion Brands To Shop Right Now

By: Kerry Folan – of Racked

Remove Toxic Chemicals and Fabrics from Fashion’s Supply Chain

By: Linda Greer – of Business of Fashion

Sustainable Fashion Needs to be Design-led

By: Samata Angel – of The Guardian

Support Smaller Fashion Brands

By: Rachel Kibbe – of Business of Fashion

The Rise of Sustainable Fibers in the Fashion Industry

By: Leon Kaye – of TriplePundit (People, Planet, Profit)