App-date: Supply chains and carbon footprints

App-date: Supply chains and carbon footprints

In this section, WeAr reviews the best apps and software platforms used by retailers and brands. Some of them are available to all stores; others are exclusive to one retailer or territory, but will hopefully inspire others and help them keep abreast of changes in the digital fashion landscape.


The High Index

The Higg Index is a suite of sustainability measure- ment tools for brands, retailers and facilities of all sizes in the apparel and footwear industry. Developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), these tools span design to end of use in three catego- ries: product, facility, and brand and retail. The first includes the Materials Sustainability Index, which allows designers to create materials and understand their overall environmental impact. Brands can employ other modules to measure product sustain- ability and life-cycle, and contextualize this with their internal system to generate analytics. The Facility Tools focus on environmental and labor impacts, determining, for instance, measures of emissions, facility safety, waste management and worker liveli- hood. Finally, the Higg Brand & Retail Module analyzes data to give companies a wide glimpse into the supply chain to see how they rank in sustainability – from manufacturing metrics, transportation of goods, and packaging, to measuring the environmental cost of office headquarters.


Cogo

CoGo is a UK app that connects consumers and businesses that strive to become more socially and environmentally responsible. Users sign up to the app by connecting their bank account and stating the social and environmental issues they care most about helping. The app then calculates a person- alized carbon footprint that is based on spending transactions and lifestyle choices, and offers ways to take action and make simple lifestyle changes to reduce the score. An ethical recommendation engine will point the user towards UK businesses that score best on the social and environmental issues the user shows interest in; these 20,000+ rigorously approved businesses exemplify ethical or sustainable prac- tices. When criteria are achieved, businesses earn at least one of twelve CoGo accreditation badges – badge examples include, but are not limited to, offer- ing fair trade, organic or vegan products, paying a living wage or actively pledging to reduce waste to landfill.

Post-lockdown inventory problem: sustainable solutions

Post-lockdown inventory problem: sustainable solutions

According to research undertaken by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in 2017, disposed excess inventory had been causing almost 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. In the years since, increased press coverage on burning and other forms of clothing disposal has spurred efforts to re-channel this excess stock. But the pandemic is testing these sustainable options. With consumer spending on non-essentials down and many stores around the world still closed, the fashion industry is facing an unprecedented oversupply of goods, from S/S 2020 in particular.

Some companies including Ralph Lauren, Next, adidas and Gap are putting aside a portion of their Spring inventory to sell off next year. Any items that fall within non-seasonal or trendy categories may also be re-sellable for later periods. There are many shoppers who – after months of staying at home – are now eager for goods, and for finding deals. Currently, we are seeing re-opened off-price stores reaping the benefits of this market. Brands and retailers should consider selling through these channels.

Don’t want to simply sell at a loss? There are companies who work with clients to manage excess inventory and customer returns in ways that generate profit and brand value. One good option is the UK-based company Parker Lane Group.

With a global reach, they help retailers find resale markets for unsold garments and recycle the rest. They recently launched the Coronavirus Support Service to deal primarily with unsellable S/S 2020 inventory, lack of warehouse space, and accumulating unmanaged returns. The US company Optoro offers similar services. They use AI and machine-learning software to generate real-time brand analyt- ics, which helps them organize garments into recommerce (to Optoro’s resale site Blinq, or elsewhere) or donation options. Both companies primarily work with activewear and high street brands, but also accommodate image-sensitive luxury brands who don’t want to sell in discount markets. The re-sale marketplace Tradesy opened a business unit in April 2020 to cater to brands who have excess stock due to cancellations.

There are also companies that can help with charitable donations specifically. Gift- ing Brands works with retailers to resell their private label and upscale brands, and donates the profits to charity. Soles4Souls also accepts inventory donations, and has a portfolio of brand partnerships. It is now connecting essential work- ers with donations: an action and message that resonates loudly during these unsettling times.

Stone Island joins Moncler

Stone Island joins Moncler

Moncler S.p.A. and Sportswear Company S.p.A., that holds Stone Island brand, announced today that they have reached an agreement as a result of which Stone Island joins Moncler to develop together a new shared vision of luxury.

The acquisition will consist of 2 parts where Moncler will buy 70 percent of the company from Chief Executive Carlo Rivetti. It will then buy the remaining 30 percent from Temasek, the Singaporean state-backed investor.

With this transaction, united by their “beyond fashion, beyond luxury” philosophy, these two Italian brands will strengthen their ability to interpret the evolving cultural codes of the new generations, reinforcing their positioning within the new luxury segment. This is a concept that embraces the search for experientiality, inclusivity, a sense of belonging to a community and the mixing of diverse meanings and worlds including those of art, culture, music and sport.

Remo Ruffini, Chairman and CEO of Moncler S.p.A. comments: “I have always worked to build a strong brand where uniqueness and closeness to the consumer have been the cornerstones of a development always beyond trends and conventions.”

Carlo Rivetti, Chairman and CEO of Stone Island continues: “Remo and I have decided to combine forces and visions to meet together and with greater strength than ever the challenges we all face. We share the same roots, similar entrepreneurial journeys and the utmost respect for the profound values of our brands and our people. And we are Italians.”

1.618 Paris x Future Fabrics Expo

1.618 Paris x Future Fabrics Expo

The Future Fabrics Expo is the largest dedicated showcase of globally sourced commercially available sustainably and responsibly produced fabrics and materials. Providing the tools for a responsible fashion industry, the Expo sources and curates materials with a lower environmental footprint, offering accessible and innovative sustainable solutions.

As part of their partnership with 1.618 Paris Biennale this December, The Sustainable Angle’s Future Fabrics Expo has curated a program of round table discussions dedicated to sustainable sourcing.

The three discussions will bring together spotlighted exhibitors from our Future Fabrics Expo. Discover ways in which they are bringing textile solutions for a more sustainable present now and for the future:

 

-December 9th : Challenges in textile recycling and how to overcome them with Recyctex and Kipas

-December 10th : Exploring new textile horizons through regenerative practices with Kering, Bananatex, UPW, and Cleric

-December 11th : New materials landscapes from the Future Fabrics Expo with Amanda Johnston

Stone Island opens in the Miami Design District

Stone Island opens in the Miami Design District

Stone Island has opened a store in Miami, thus expanding its presence in the North American market: it is the fourth store after New York, Los Angeles and Toronto.

Located in the Miami Design District, the space covers an area of over 3.000 squared feet (280 sqm) on two levels, hosting the Stone Island and Shadow Project collections.

The interior design follows the concept used for Stone Island flagship stores – created by Marc Buhre, industrial designer from Heidelberg (Germany) and founder of Zeichenweg TM architectural firm. Each element of the system has been created to work together in a highly functional design.

The bush-hammered stone flooring is also used on the walls, interspersed with parts in through-colour MDF and metallic mesh on a steel substructure. Furnishings are in black-stained natural oak, hangers are composed of carbon bars and anodized aluminium and shelves are in shades of anthracite.

Experimentation, function and use are the matrixes that have always defined Stone Island: since inception in 1982, the Italian brand has become a symbol of research and treatments in fibres and textiles applied to innovative design.

Frankfurt Fashion Week: hosting the future of fashion

Frankfurt Fashion Week: hosting the future of fashion

Frankfurt Fashion Week is positioning itself with a consistently sustainable agenda and propelling the transformation of a modern, resource-efficient fashion industry. The Conscious Fashion Campaign (CFC), working in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP), will be the presenting partner and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be a prerequisite for all exhibitors by 2023. And the Frankfurt Fashion SDG Summit by CFC is set to become the leading international conference for sustainability in the fashion world. The future of fashion has begun – and its key players will be coming together in Frankfurt am Main from 5-9 July 2021.

“Frankfurt will play host to the whole world. We are seeing a very positive response indeed,” confirmed Peter Feldmann, Senior Mayor of the City of Frankfurt am Main, at today’s digital press conference, before going on to say: “The fact that the initiators are able to rethink the concept of a Fashion Week in such a way is extremely impressive and proves that the fashion industry is correctly interpreting the signs of the present and future. The time has come for value creation and values to be reconciled. Consistent alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals is an important step in this direction.”

“We are committed to setting the wheels of transformation in motion. Not only does the overall mindset have to fundamentally change; the entire industry also needs to have the courage to be transparent and honest. It’s important to see values and value creation as opportunities rather than contentious. We are doing what we do best: connecting the relevant players at all levels. With its ecosystem, Frankfurt Fashion Week will become the enabler. We are creating a platform that will orchestrate industry-wide change. With this as our inspiration, we are also developing our tradeshow formats from a ‘marketplace of products’ to a ‘marketplace of purpose and ideas’,” explains Anita Tillmann, Managing Partner of the Premium Group.

Nobis Launches Capsule Collection with NBA Champion & Raptors Star Serge IbakaNobis Launches Capsule Collection with NBA Champion & Raptors Star Serge Ibaka

Nobis Launches Capsule Collection with NBA Champion & Raptors Star Serge Ibaka

Canadian premium outerwear and accessories brand Nobis is
launching its first capsule collection designed in collaboration with Toronto Raptors centre and NBA champion Serge Ibaka.

Known for his #BigScarfEnergy, Ibaka teamed up with Nobis to help create a genderless collection that features nine limited-edition pieces, including a parka, anorak, bomber jacket, vests, hats and, of course, scarves. The highly anticipated capsule collection is available in store and online starting November 19, 2020.

“I’m thrilled to collaborate with Nobis on my first fashion collection. Nobis is very simple and chic, which made me really fall in love with the brand, making them the perfect partner,” says Ibaka. “Getting dressed to me is an art, and I wanted to express myself through this collection and share it with my fans.”

Second edition of #STRONGERTOGETHER project to take place in March 2021

Second edition of #STRONGERTOGETHER project to take place in March 2021

After the September edition of #STRONGERTOGETHER, the organisers of the 5 events have consolidated plans to repeat the #STRONGERTOGETHER project in March 2021. The trade fairs in the fashion system will once again be held on the same dates, March 20 through 24, 2021, at a single location, the Fieramilano Rho trade fair centre.

MICAM Milano (the international footwear show), MIPEL (the international event for leather goods and accessories) and TheONE Milano (the women’s haut-à-porter fashion event featuring the best fabric, fur and leather apparel) will all open from Sunday March 21 to Tuesday March 23, 2021, one day less than in the last edition. The #strongertogether trade fairs will be completed with LINEAPELLE, on March 23 and 24, 2021, featuring the most innovative and exclusive leathers, fabrics, accessories and components for fashion and design.

The successful format of #strongertogether will be repeated: the first edition in September welcomed more than 16 thousand visitors (25% of whom came from abroad) with the goal of giving enterprises a helping hand at a particularly difficult time. The organisers are already working on intercepting and selecting buyers with even greater precision thanks to support from MISE and the Italian Trade Agency, whose support has always been essential.

Gallery Fashion & Shoes prepares for January 2021 edition

Gallery Fashion & Shoes prepares for January 2021 edition

At the end of January 2021, Düsseldorf will once again aim to prove itself as a firmly established destination for international fashion orders: Gallery FASHION & Shoes, with the Fashion Bridge to Supreme Women & Men, is planning to hold its regular order event as scheduled.

“Here at Igedo we are optimistic that responsibly organised order events will be possible again from the end of January 2021. Like in March and September 2020, Gallery FASHION & Shoes obviously guarantees the strictest adherence to all official regulations and guidelines, while also ensuring a positive atmosphere for people to finally meet up in. As a partner of the industry, it is incredibly important to us to show consistency and to also continue offering a physical platform – and the Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf provides the best conditions for that.” – Ulrike Kähler Managing Director of Igedo Company

Digital Denim Week by Denim Première Vision

Digital Denim Week by Denim Première Vision

A few weeks ago, Denim Première Vision announced the launch of a new event format: the DIGITAL DENIM WEEK. This 100% digital show will fully replace the physical edition of the show initially scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Berlin, assisting and accelerating the industry’s growing move to digital, where initiatives are being strongly catalyzed by the health crisis.

Via an online platform, Denim Première Vision is set to run for a full week, from November 30 to December 4, to present the new collections of materials from over 50 exhibitors, and the very latest product developments for Spring-Summer 22. The DIGITAL DENIM WEEK will also showcase a dive into the heart of the specifics of the season – from trends to products and materials – featuring targeted talks by selected key players and experts, as well as a program of conferences and masterclasses to meet the industry’s emerging challenges.


To help the industry organize its plans, and because meetings and discussions between buyers and suppliers at physical trade shows is of the utmost importance for the sector, Denim Première Vision is committed to holding its two editions in 2021:

In Milan on May 25 & 26 at SUPERTSUDIO PIÙ,
for the autumn/winter 2022-23 denim developments.

In Berlin on November 16 & 17 at the ARENA BERLIN, to discover the spring summer 23 collections.