11 Fashion Companies Leading The Way In Sustainability

11 Fashion Companies Leading The Way In Sustainability - Forbes

11 Fashion Companies Leading The Way In Sustainability - Forbes
Fox News Poll: Americans split over media coverage of first lady's fashion choices - Fox News
Fashion Stocks Caught in Coronavirus Fears - Yahoo News
Philipp Plein's fashion tribute to Kobe Bryant garners mixed reaction - Los Angeles Times
How Fashion Designers Became the New Instagram Influencers - The Wall Street Journal

11 Fashion Companies Leading The Way In Sustainability - Forbes

Posted: 24 Feb 2020 03:38 PM PST

Laboratory glassware with plants on white background — Getty

The fashion industry is known for creating trends, and now it's working on its most important trend yet: sustainability. And unlike some questionable fashion decisions, this is a trend all consumers can get behind. We know even Nordstrom is now selling used clothing. Everyone is starting to wake up to the fact that the consumer preference has changed, and she wants more eco-friendly products.

Increasingly, customers want to have a positive impact on the environment. Research shows that 88% of consumers want brands to help them be more environmentally friendly. Yet, fashion is notorious for its wasteful practices that are hurting the environment. Fashion production releases 10% of the world's carbon emissions, more than international flights and maritime shipping combined. The fashion industry is responsible for 20% of all water pollution worldwide. If the fashion industry continues on its current path, it will produce 26% of the world's carbon footprint by 2050. Clearly, something needs to be done to remedy the situation and disrupt the industry.

Here are 10 fashion companies leading the way in sustainability. These companies, large and small, show the potential for sustainable fashion that looks good and does good.

Rothy's

From their materials to production to the way they treat their employees, Rothy's has been sustainable since day one. I personally have two pairs of Rothy's I love walking around in, especially speaking on stage at business events. I am pregnant and comfort is everything. Also, as I learned on the Rachel Hollis podcast "Rise," they are made from 100% recycled plastic water bottles and post-consumer recycled materials.

Tentree

For each item purchased, Tentree lives up to its name and plants 10 trees and even gives customers a code so they can track the growth of their trees. It is on track to plant one billion trees by 2030. Tentree's clothing is made from ethically sourced and sustainable materials including cork, coconut and recycled polyester and produced in ethical factories.

Everlane

Everlane mixes sustainability with transparency by sharing with customers the exact breakdown of the cost of each item and showing the factories where garments are made. The company builds strong relationships with factory owners to ensure that the employees and production meet Everlane's high ethical standards. Everlane also recently released a line of clothing made from recycled plastic bottles and other reused materials.

Pact

This Colorado-based company sells certified organic and fair-trade clothing for the entire family. The entire supply chain, from growing and harvesting the non-GMO cotton to creating the final pieces, is as sustainable and clean as possible and includes processes that use significantly less water than traditional cotton. Pact also reuses old clothing and linens to create many of its items.

Patagonia

Patagonia not only uses sustainable materials in its outerwear, but it also helps customers repair their clothing instead of buying new items. Patagonia follows fair-trade practices and closely monitors its supply chain to make it safe for the environment, workers and consumers. Its goal is to find solutions to environmental issues without causing unnecessary harm to the world. Because the products are so durable, customers are encouraged to recycle old Patagonia gear and purchase items second hand.

Levi's

Denim is notorious for requiring huge amounts of water to create one pair of jeans, but Levi's new collection, Water<Less, uses up to 96% less water. For this and all of its products, Levi's is committed to sustainability through the entire design and manufacturing process, including working towards 100% sustainably sourced cotton and recycling old jeans into home insulation.

H&M Conscious

H&M is moving away from its fast fashion roots with the Conscious collection, made of materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester. By using eco-friendly fabrics and more sustainable production methods, the company hopes to reduce its environmental footprint. Customers can also recycle unwanted garments at H&M stores and get a discount for a future purchase. As a whole, H&M has a goal to use only sustainably sourced materials by 2030.

Reformation

Each stylish item from Reformation comes with a description and score of its environmental footprint to help customers understand the impact of their clothing. The pieces are made of upcycled and sustainable materials in fair wage environments. Reformation has been carbon neutral since 2015 and helps protect deforested areas to offset its manufacturing. Customers can also sell their old clothing to Reformation to earn credit for new pieces.

Amour Vert

This clothing brand makes sustainably sourced garments in smaller batches to avoid the waste of unsold items. Amour Vert partners directly with mills to ensure items are made using non-toxic dyes and the most sustainable fabrics. For every item purchased, Amour Vert plants a tree. The company also follows a zero-waste policy and finds creative solutions to recycle and reuse items.

Eileen Fisher

Every aspect of Eileen Fisher's design and manufacturing process is built to be as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible, from the materials used to the ethical treatment of the workers who sew the pieces. The company avoids air shipping and uses creative processes to limit fabric waste. Eileen Fisher buys back used items to recycle into new garments or turn into art if the clothing can't be resold.

People Tree

Founded in 1991, People Tree was one of the first sustainable fashion brands. It is the only brand credited by the World Fair Trade Organization and invests heavily in sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, including organic farming. People Tree promotes fair wages and good working conditions and uses sustainable materials like organic cotton, natural fibers and chemical free dyes.

Consumers are looking to move away from fast fashion to more environmentally friendly options that are as stylish as they are responsible. These companies show that even small improvements to the materials and processes can create a major and much-needed change in the fashion industry.

Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker and the author of the bestselling book The Customer Of The Future. Sign up for her weekly newsletter here.

Fox News Poll: Americans split over media coverage of first lady's fashion choices - Fox News

Posted: 25 Feb 2020 03:30 AM PST

The first lady's fashion choices are front and center once again, as the President Donald Trump and Melania Trump kicked off their first official visit to India on Monday.

"Upping the fashion stakes! Melania looks chic in a custom white jumpsuit ... " blared a Daily Mail headline.

"Melania Trump's Most Stylish Moments Since Taking on the FLOTUS Title," read a new US Weekly article, which focused on the India trip and other recent appearances.

In Fox Nation's "FLOTUS Fashion," FOX News contributor and FOX Nation host Rachel Campos-Duffy looked back over the decades at the most iconic looks of America's first ladies and their headline-grabbing international moments.

President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump, are greeted as they step off Air Force One, upon arrival at Agra Air Base, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Agra, India. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

"On a recent trip to the U.K., Melania's fashion sense was again on full display," narrated Campos-Duffy in the Fox Nation show, "She boarded the plane in Gucci. She landed in London in Burberry and visited the queen at Buckingham Palace in Dolce [and Gabbana]."

At times, the first lady's wardrobe has attracted outsized media attention. In one of the most notable instances, Trump wore a jacket with the phrase, "I really don't care. Do you?" written across the back.

"I don't think when Melania wore the Zara jacket, it was intentional," said fashion psychologist Dawnn Karen in the Fox Nation show. "They really vilified her because of that Zara jacket, which we probably have in our closet, you know, because she's the first lady, it's a fashion blunder."

U.S. President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tour Gandhi Ashram, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Ahmedabad, India. After Air Force One touched down in Ahmedabad in western India, Trump's motorcade slowly drove down streets lined with hundreds of thousands of onlookers. He began that day's high-wattage trio of presidential photo-ops: a visit to a former home of independence leader Mohandas Gandhi, a rally at a huge cricket stadium and a trip to the famed Taj Mahal. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

In a new Fox News poll, 37 percent of registered voters said that they thought the media's coverage of the "looks and styles" of Trump has been "fair." Thirty-five percent said the coverage has been "too negative," and 9 percent said that they believe that media attention on the first lady's fashion is "too positive."

CLICK HERE FOR FULL FOX NEWS POLL RESULTS

"What's changed is the media landscape," observed Sonya Abrego, a fashion historian. "The speed of communication and ... the fact that everybody can throw their opinion into the ring now."

"Whoever the next first lady is ... there will be a lot more choices for them," argued fashion historian John Tiffany. "So she's brought choice to the table. That's, I think, part of her enduring legacy."

To watch all of, "FLOTUS Fashion" go to Fox Nation and sign up today.

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Fashion Stocks Caught in Coronavirus Fears - Yahoo News

Posted: 24 Feb 2020 07:41 AM PST

A global selloff pushed fashion stocks lower Monday as investors reacted strongly to fresh outbreaks in Italy and South Korea.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened the U.S. trading day with a sharp decline, dropping 2.8 percent, or 813.11 points, to 28,179.30.

Among those hardest hit were Farfetch, down 10.2 percent to $11.03; Tapestry Inc, 7.8 percent to $25.82; Fossil Group Inc., 7.2 percent to $5.57; Ralph Lauren Corp., 6.9 percent to $109.36; Revolve Group, 5.9 percent to $19.75; Lululemon Athletica Inc., 5.6 percent to $241.63; Capri Holdings, 5.1 percent to $26.25, and PVH Corp. 5 percent to $80.48.

Until now, investors have largely taken a wait-and-see approach to the coronavirus, trying to gauge the potential impact — to both retail sales and supply chains — and hoping that the troubles pass.

But now, with the virus spreading, the market is reorientating to a potentially worse and longer lasting fallout.

Analysts at stock research firm Cowen said outbreaks in Italy (with 150 new cases over the weekend) as well as South Korea and Iran suggest the coronavirus has become a global pandemic, although the World Health Organization has not officially applied that label.

"It has been four-and-a-half weeks since the Hubei quarantine began and three-and-a-half weeks since the U.S. and a number of other countries around the world began restricting inbound travel from China," Cowen said, illustrating how quickly the outbreak is moving.

In Milan, the Giorgio Armani runway show was held behind closed doors, filmed in an empty theater without press and buyers. It was distributed through the brand's web site and social media.

Other events were canceled while others were postponed, including the international eyewear trade show Mido, which was slated to run Feb. 29 to March 2 at Milan's Rho-Fiera fairgrounds.

European markets took the brunt of Monday's global sell off, with the FTSE MIB in Milan dropping 5.9 percent to 23,303.18, followed by the CAC 40 in Paris, down 4.1 percent to 5,783.29, and the FTSE 100 in London, off 3.5 percent to 7,144.31.

Among those posting the steepest declines were Tod's, down 11.1 percent to 31.24 euros; Salvatore Ferragamo Italia, 9.2 percent to 14.49 euros; Safilo Group, 8.2 percent to 1 euros; Moncler, 5.8 percent to 34.99 euros; Kering , 4.5 percent to 536.40 euros; Burberry Group, 4.1 percent to 17.94 pounds, and LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, 4.1 percent to 387.95 euros.

The European Commission said it is "working around the clock to support EU Member States and strengthen international efforts to slow the spread" of the outbreak.

To that end, the commission revealed a 232 million aid package.

"As cases continue to rise, public health is the number one priority," said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the Commission. "Whether it be boosting preparedness in Europe, in China or elsewhere, the international community must work together. Europe is here to play a leading role."

Posted: 24 Feb 2020 01:57 PM PST

Two days before Monday's public memorial at L.A.'s Staples Center celebrating the lives of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, European designer Philipp Plein decided to have his own tribute to the late L.A. Lakers legend during his namesake brand's see now, buy now fall and winter 2020 fashion show in Milan.

The result sparked major backlash on social media.

In front of a gilded helicopter and more at Milan Fashion Week and with the help of rapper Tyga, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, model Olivia Culpo and the street artist known as Alec Monopoly, Plein unveiled a limited-edition tank top and hooded sweatshirt in Lakers colors, purple and gold, decorated with Bryant's "24" jersey number and an image of a black mamba snake on the attack. Plein's name was emblazoned across the front of the tank top as well as the hoodie in lieu of the team's moniker.

Retailing for $2,070 and $3,150, respectively, the tank top and hoodie are being sold to support the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation started by Bryant, according to Plein's e-commerce site.

Also in the limited-edition mix are hi-top sneakers in black and purple with yellow bands, flame details and Plein's name on the back part of the heels. The kicks are $2,220 and available online now along with other pieces from the collection.

Despite Plein's seemingly philanthropic intentions, the German-born designer's marketing stunt provoked Twitter.

Still reeling from the deaths of Bryant, Gianna and seven other people in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., on Jan. 26, many on social media decried Plein's tribute as being in poor taste.

Others were just baffled.

Some sought to cancel Plein.

Plein has begun capitalizing on the Bryant-inspired gear, which his label dubbed "a tribute to a legend." His website features a photo of the designer surrounded by Culpo, Pinkett Smith and other models wearing the Bryant-inspired tanks and hoodies.

Plein is used to staging flashy events and promoting a glitzy lifestyle. He has recruited celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Mickey Rourke and Nicki Minaj to sit in the front row, walk and perform at his over-the-top runway shows.

Tyga performed at Plein's fall and winter 2020 show on Saturday, and Pinkett Smith opened it with what she described as "rock star stride."

Plein has built a global business with more than 120 freestanding stores, including one in Beverly Hills. His label is also in more than 500 retailers and has annual sales of more than 200 million euros.

According to his website, Plein "divides his time between the corporate headquarters in Switzerland, his estate in Cannes and his homes in New York City and Bel-Air."

How Fashion Designers Became the New Instagram Influencers - The Wall Street Journal

Posted: 24 Feb 2020 09:27 AM PST

IN JANUARY, French fashion house Givenchy rolled out an ad campaign for its spring collection starring a surprising model: Marc Jacobs. For the uninitiated, Mr. Jacobs is a 56-year-old fashion designer...and not at Givenchy. On the surface picking a rival to flaunt your wares might seem peculiar. But of late, the New York-based designer has embarked on a sort-of second career as an Instagram star. His personal account has over 1.4 million followers, who feast on photos of Mr. Jacobs in all sorts of extravagant outfits—compiled from his brand and others. His selfies show off Prada sweaters, Rick Owens boots and Hermés...