SAVE THE DATE | FUTURE FABRICS EXPO 2023 | 27-28 JUNE | LONDON UK

29th November 2022     News Event Fabrics Fashion Future Fabrics Expo The Sustainable Angle Ethical Sourcing Trade Shows

On 28-29th June 2022, The Sustainable Angle hosted its 10th Future Fabrics Expo — the largest, dedicated showcase of materials and innovations with a reduced environmental impact. 

As our most ambitious show to date and the first physical expo since the start of COVID, the 10th Future Fabrics Expo was held at Magazine London in London, UK, a new, larger venue of over 3,200 square meters, and featured thousands of commercially available, sustainably and responsibly produced fabrics and materials, many more new exhibitors, booths and innovators — all exemplifying effective sustainable solutions throughout the textile supply chain. 

The fashion and textile industries are currently responsible for significant impacts upon planet and people. However, in this decisive decade in the climate crisis, fashion can and must be part of the solution by being a vehicle for change, representing a powerful force by following regenerative design principles and a circular systems approach based on safe and renewable raw materials. 

At the 10th Future Fabrics Expo, thousands of textiles across all fibre categories were contextualised with educational information to enable a holistic understanding of the provenance, processing and impacts of material sources, inputs and outputs. Materials and textiles at the Future Fabrics Expo are selected by conforming to our key environmental criteria, originally established in consultation with The Centre for Sustainable Fashion at London College of Fashion UAL. These criteria recognise some of the most pressing resource issues and environmental impacts that relate to the fashion supply chain. 

Visitors of the Expo discovered how our fibres are grown and materials are made in relation to their impacts upon climate, biodiversity, soil and the oceans. They had the opportunity to learn about the critical imperative to source responsibly, how to operate within planetary boundaries in order to address climate change, and secure sustainable supply chains, while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. These central themes were further highlighted in our Curated Textiles Area, the Innovation Hub in partnership with Parley for the Oceans, the new Curated Area of Solutions with new partners, and echoed by our Seminar Series – all shaping the 10th Future Fabrics Expo as a one-stop shop for sustainable textiles sourcing and learning for the fashion industry. 

10th Future Fabrics Expo’s Innovation Hub was in partnership with Parley for the Oceans. “In 2012, we launched Parley and declared the Material Revolution. Since then we are pushing intergovernmental organisations, governments and brands to support, finance and implement alternative materials. This year at The Sustainable Angle’s Future Fabrics Expo we will share the next chapter of our journey. One that is dedicated to a close collaboration with nature, to green chemistry and biology. For the Oceans, Climate and Life!” – Cyrill Gutsch, CEO and Founder of Parley for the Oceans. 

 

The newly added Curated Area of Solutions featured supporting partners of the Future Fabrics Expo. Visitors explored the potential of agricultural waste as the new frontier of next-gen solutions supported by Laudes Foundation and powered by its partners Canopy Planet and Fashion for Good; the focus on Biodiversity was in partnership with LVMH. Visitors were also inspired by material solutions on display by The Mills Fabrica and Plastic Free Fashion. Forgotten fibres were rediscovered in the Hemp Hub, and the Regenerative Agriculture Area featured Savory Institute’s Land to Market. Each unique display, made possible by our partners, shared educational content for the industry to explore, learn about and experience the opportunities and roles of the future of textiles. 

 

Best-practice mills and suppliers presented their materials in their own booths, such as Ecovative, Clerici Tessuto, Chargeurs PCC and NATIVA™, Natural Fiber Welding, Bananatex, Säntis Textiles, Recyctex, Beyond Surface Technologies, UPW, Kipas Holding, Bossa, Toyoshima, Imbotex, Ventile, Nova Kaeru, RDD, and more. 

 

The Information Zone featured industry organisations leading the field such as Fashion Revolution, GOTS, Textile Exchange, WRAP, and Fashion Roundtable. 

The 10th Future Fabrics Expo also had an enhanced digital dimension, integrated with our Future Fabrics VIRTUAL Expo, seamlessly connecting the physical materials displayed to our online platform via QR codes. During the week, attendees received Premium Access to the Future Fabrics VIRTUAL EXPO, which hosts thousands of materials and informative resources online. 

By researching and communicating complex sustainability issues, The Sustainable Angle’s Future Fabrics Expo supports fashion brands with the connections, knowledge, and tools in order to make informed decisions and implement responsible practices throughout the fashion supply chain, to leverage positive change. 

 

Quotes from the 10th Future Fabrics Expo Seminar Series 

CLICK TO REWATCH THE SEMINAR SERIES

Discover the speakers of the Seminar Series Programme at the 10th Future Fabrics Expo

“Next-gen solutions are fundamentally lower carbon footprinted, 50% of the ecological footprint of linear extractive supply chain industries. Recycling and regenerating materials holds incredible promise, be it waste textiles, agricultural residues left over after the food grain harvest, or microbial cellulosics — next-gen solutions are truly the future of fashion.” – Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy Planet | Keynote Speaker

Watch Nicole’s Keynote Speech here 

 

 

“Collaborating with nature is the future, that’s what we believe at Parley. Our mission is nothing less than designing a new economy that is not build on exploitation, not built on old technology and old materials — an economy that is built on a vision… It’s way cooler, and we’ve proven now on a lot of levels, to wear a product that actually does something positive, that actually contributes. And it’s a very good justification for a shopping spree.” – Cyrill Gutsch, Founder and CEO of Parley for the Oceans

Watch Cyrill’s Opening Remarks here

 

 

“If we are going to zero carbon, and everything that we see today [at the Expo] is so important in terms of the fashion industry, we have to absolutely take into consideration that we have four different systems to look at: the social system, the economic system, the political system, and the global commons — together. Because the interrelationship between poverty, inequality, empowerment, and the loss and destruction of the forests, the use of our land, the way in which we engage with our economy, is fundamental.” – Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome, European and International Environmental Policy Expert | Keynote Speaker

Watch Sandrine’s Keynote Speech here

 

 

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For more information visit www.thesustainableangle.org/future-fabrics 

Future Fabrics VIRTUAL Expo: www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com 

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The Sustainable Angle’s display “Nature-Positive: The Future for Fashion”, supported by Kering, will be showcased at this year’s IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille, France, from 4-9 September 2021. With over 160 countries participating, the IUCN Congress is a key milestone before pivotal UN conferences in Kunming and Glasgow, and aims to drive action on nature-based recovery, climate change and biodiversity.

 

According to the IPCC report, the threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius warming is now perilously close. Global warming is affecting every region on earth and accelerating sharply, with many of the changes becoming irreversible. We are witnessing extreme weather conditions and climate disasters increasing in frequency and intensity. The fashion industry needs to take immediate action in its production systems, as there is a clear moral and economic imperative to protect the lives and livelihoods of those on the front lines of the climate crisis, such as those in our fashion industry’s production systems.

 

Fashion needs to urgently focus on sourcing its raw materials from regenerative and restorative production systems. This will help the sector embed sustainability into products while mitigating the climate crisis and contributing positively to livelihoods and biodiversity and ultimately achieve a truly circular economy. Agricultural practices and systems — if managed appropriately — could also integrate ecological connectivity, wildlife protection, restoration of micro-habitats, soil health, and ecosystems. In this way, agriculture for fashion can go beyond reducing negative impacts and move towards nature-positive.

 

The display will feature fabrics and materials grown and produced with regenerative agricultural practices: examples such as silk and wool from fibres that are Wildlife Friendly® Certified; organic cotton, regeneratively farmed leather and cashmere; forgotten plant fibres such as linen, bast and ramie; and wild animal fibres that diversify the fibre basket, ensure animals’ welfare and protection and integrated into the ecosystem while supporting farmer livelihoods.

 

Materials on display are contextualised by informational content around regenerative agriculture for fashion, soil health, and natural materials from production systems that incorporate wildlife friendly practices, as well as special projects focused on biodiversity that are undertaken by Kering such as the Regenerative Fund for Nature.

 

Kering and Conservation International announced the first 7 grantees under their “Regenerative Fund for Nature” following its launch in January 2021. The initial round of funding focuses on promising and innovative projects to help drive the transition of 1 million hectares of land to regenerative practices in luxury and fashion’s cotton, wool, cashmere and leather supply chains. The first recipients of the Regenerative Fund for Nature form a diverse and influential portfolio across critically important landscapes in need of improved stewardship. They will initially support over 840,000 hectares transitioning to regenerative approaches, directly benefiting 60,000 people engaged in small and larger scale farming systems.

 

Join The Sustainable Angle at Booth E21 at the Business & Nature Hub, learn more about how fashion can move towards nature-positive and discover materials made from regenerative and restorative production systems. Open to general public from 4-9 September 10AM – 5:30PM.  Follow us on Instagram @thesustainableangle for updates and news at IUCN.  

 

Thank you to Kering for their generous partnership and support for the “Nature-Positive: The Future for Fashion” display.

 

Supported by

 

 

 

 

Event Details

IUCN World Conservation Congress 2021

Dates: 3-11 September, 2021

Website and Event Information: https://www.iucncongress2020.org/

More about the Regenerative Fund for Nature: https://www.kering.com/en/sustainability/safeguarding-the-planet/regenerative-fund-for-nature/

 

 

 

Colour and bold prints are quintessential to the fashion experience for many. They can be linked closely to identity and personality, though to achieve these bold colours, harsh chemistry is still widely used. According to a report from The World Bank, an estimated 17-20% of industrial water pollution comes solely from textile dyeing and fabric finishing treatments.  This highlights the imperative that phasing out harmful chemicals is crucial to reducing the overall impact of our industry.

 

House of U, a digital textile printing company based in the Netherlands, have been working to tackle their chemical, water, and energy impacts, next to offering a wide range of sustainable materials to print on. The print house helps clients achieve rich and deep colours by using certified inks on a wide range of beautiful sustainable fabrics. They have, for example, GRS-certified recycled polyester, organic cottons, and lyocell fibres in their selection. With an online platform and digital colour management, House of U offers designers creative freedom to complete their high-quality prints.

 

1. Can you provide a brief outline of your services, and what key aspects make them more sustainable than a conventional print houses?

 

House of U is a digital Textile Printing House with a strong focus on product development and sustainable Fabrics which are offered via an online platform. The key sustainability aspects within House of U are the seen through the Printing Process, the Fabric Portfolio and our online platform at www.houseofu.com.

We work with 100% Digital Printing, have an optimised finishing process with minimum water consumption throughout, and we develop new sustainable fabrics every year. Our customers can upload their designs online, pick the fabric of their choice and order without any minimum order quantity – from just 1 meter per fabric.

 

2. Can you tell us more about your certified, low impact printing process?

 

The company’s processes and methods consist of pre-treatment, printing, and the finishing of the materials. Our digital printing method reduces water consumption by 70%, in comparison to screen printing. All inks used in the printing process of natural fibres (such as for example organic cotton linen or TENCEL™ Lyocell) are GOTS certified, water-based inks. This applies to all chemistry we use in the pretreatment of the fabrics (coating) and in the post treatment (after printing) and meets following standards:

 

1. Bluesign®
2. STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®
3. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

 

We aim for our whole print system to be entirely GOTS certified by 2021.

 

Regarding our recycled synthetic materials, our GOTS certificate does not apply since we are not printing on organic fibres and we are using sublimation printing. We have therefore carefully chosen a reliable partner that carries the ECO Oeko-Tex Passport Certification.  

 

Additionally, we are currently investing in efficient machinery to salvage water, and we are aiming to decrease carbon emissions by investing in new washing & finishing technologies. 

 

 

3. How can fashion have a positive impact on nature and communities?

We are committed to contributing a positive impact on nature and communities through the digital printing process of our inks and our fabrics by using organic cotton, certified recycled polyester fabrics, as well as fabrics with Lenzing™ ECOVERO™ branded viscose fibres and TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres. Additionally, we also provide a service where there is no minimum order quantity, which helps to lower the environmental impact of fabric waste. 

 

4. What are your goals and plans moving forward?

Our plans on moving forward are to expand our online platform through to the European market and stock more sustainable fabrics for our customers for every season. Additionally, we aim to optimize our print house to make all of our processes more sustainable. Taking all of this into account, we believe that we can contribute to a better world for fashion.  

 

Discover House of U on the Future Fabrics Virtual Expo. 

 

 

Future Fabrics VIRTUAL Expo LIVE, 1st – 8th July 2020, hosted a curated week of online events and material resources dedicated to sustainable materials sourcing solutions.

We contextualised the materials showcased on our Future Fabrics Virtual Expo website with informative educational content and insights from industry experts via live panel discussions, spotlighting the latest innovations around circular fashion, recycling technologies, and regenerative agriculture.

On 6th July, we also joined forces with NEONYT Berlin, who curated a group of industry experts, designers, and change makers for a special content partnership. The Sustainable Angle and NEONYT are aligned in the same mission to bring together change in the fashion industry, through collaboration, educational content and showcasing sustainable solutions.

 

FUTURE FABRICS VIRTUAL EXPO LIVE SCHEDULE, 1 – 8 JULY, 2020:

 

Guests were able to tune in to all sessions live on our social media platforms Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube

 

 

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EVENT DETAILS:

 

Future Fabrics VIRTUAL Expo LIVE

Date: 1^st– 8^th July, 2020.

Twitter: @Sustainable_Ang | Instagram: @thesustainableangle | Facebook: @TheSustainableAngle

 

 

Our current global textile fibre demand is lacking in diversity and dominated by two unsustainable raw materials: conventionally grown cotton and non- renewable fossil fuel based synthetics. Cotton accounts for almost a quarter of that demand, (with only around 1% of world demand currently organically farmed). Non- renewable petrochemical based synthetics account for two-thirds of global fibre demand. The environmental impacts of these two raw materials alone are catastrophic, and well-documented.

 

To move away from our reliance upon these two main fibre sources, we need to urgently rethink our relationship with the resources that provide our material needs, and actively engage in positive sourcing and practices that diversify our fibre basket and limit and tackle waste streams intelligently.

 

Each raw material source and processing chain has its own set of considerations and issues when identifying preferred fibres and sourcing best practice suppliers in specific fibre categories. Limiting the fashion industry’s reliance upon virgin materials sources can help reduce many of the impacts associated with our industry. By using different species of plants and animals for our raw material needs, and with careful regional consideration, fashion can avoid the over-exploitation of our resources and contribute to restoring biodiversity. In fact, fashion can benefit creatively from the sustainable and responsible use of nature’s existing diversity and balance.

 

 

 

Choosing operations that use processing innovations and take a responsible position on how we balance and manage our precious resources can help sustain our planetary boundaries. Headquartered in Spain and with factories in Italy, Spain and Portugal, PYRATES is a R&D company and textile supplier who offers a diversified portfolio of fibres and has recently joined our Future Fabrics Expo. PYRATES specialises in the manufacture of PYRATEX®, a collection of luxury knitted fabrics made from organic, upcycled, or biodegradable fibres which consume less water, energy or CO2 during the production process. Depending on their fibre content, blends and/or treatments, PYRATEX® collections are categorised under various categories such as “PYRATEX® health”, “PYRATEX® freshness”, “PYRATEX® cosmetic”, “PYRATEX® bio”, and “PYRATEX® upcycled”. All PYRATEX® fabrics are manufactured in Europe, in order to manage a fully traceable supply chain.

 

PYRATEX® lowers their environmental impact by selecting sustainable fibres and creating innovative blends.  For example, in the PYRATEX® bio and upcycled categories, TENCEL® fibers with REFIBRA® technology are also used in blends. REFIBRA® is a process created by Lenzing Group that mixes pulp containing cotton scraps left over from cutting operations and wood, into the lyocell production process.  GOTS certified organic cotton is also often used, which reduces fertiliser emissions, energy use, and requires less irrigation, therefore sustaining soil health and human health, by avoiding toxic chemicals.  Recycled PET bottles are also seen in the “upcycled” category.

 

 

 

PYRATES’ innovative research can also be seen in the unique treatments of their fabrics. Fabrics are finished with vapour rather than chemicals, which means active components are embedded into the fabric rather than injected or added, therefore preserving their properties. For example, the PYRATEX® cosmetic category features fabrics that are gentle for the skin and anti-irritating.  Seacell fibres (a USDA certified bio based that contains seaweed with anti-irritation properties) are blended with GOTS certified organic cotton (which are free from chemical pesticides) or Standard 100 Oeko-Tex Certified TENCEL® fibres. 

 

PYRATEX® fabrics comply with EU REACH regulations, which are adopted by companies to improve the protection of human health and the environment from risks posed by chemicals. The PYRATES factory based in Italy also has its own Tessile e Salute certification which deals with toxicology in Textile and Fashion sectors by monitoring and evaluating the various phases of the entire production chain. It is clear that Pyrates has a strong focus when it comes to lowering the chemical impact in the fashion industry. 

 

By reducing water pollution, eliminating dumping and minimising the release of hazardous chemicals and materials, as well as increasing recycling and safe reuse within their fabric production process, PYRATES is committed to improving water quality and tackling Goal 6 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Clean Water and Sanitation, as well as Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

“The fashion industry needs a radical change. We believe the most pressing environmental and social challenge we are facing in the industry is climate change,” says PYRATES. “We want to contribute to advancing the functionality of textiles to suit our current needs while using natural, recycled or biodegradable fibers, and more sustainable techniques.”

PYRATES have developed a formula so that they can scale the fabrics into commercially viable materials which can be easily integrated into any brand’s collections. 

 

 

 

When asked what their goals and plans are moving forward, PYRATES says, “We are continuously working towards advancing our fabrics through our R&D, and our main goal is to ensure that our fabric range is ethical, which is why we only launched the production of material that our client requires, and sell our in-stock fabrics from just 1m, to avoid creating any unnecessary waste. We also offer our clients the option of working with natural dyes, which are a more sustainable alternative to reactive dyes, and are constantly researching innovative, eco-friendlier alternatives, such as substituting the elastane in some of our more sportswear-focused fabrics with recycled elastane.”

 

 

Discover PYRATEX® on the Future Fabrics Virtual Expo, which will be free to access between 1^st July-8^th July during Future Fabrics Virtual Expo LIVE week. 

 

Catch our conversation with PYRATES on 2^nd July, 2020, 3:00 PM BST on Instagram LIVE.  For more events, register here. 

 

 

Since 1902, Mantero has been producing and distributing beautiful silk and fine fabrics to several recognised fashion brands. Based in Como, Italy, Mantero has an integrated production where they design, colour, weave, print (both digitally and with silk screen techniques) and finish all their products internally.

 

Mantero’s sustainability activities and projects are inspired by three fundamental elements: responsible economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. All projects are inextricably linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda, the action program signed by the governments of the 193 United Nations member countries. 

 

At the company level, Mantero has obtained ISO 14001 certifications for the Environment, BS OHSAS 18001 for Health & Safety in the workplace, and SA 8000 for Social Responsibility. Only ZDHC processes are used.  At the product level, Mantero is certified with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) for a specific selection of fabrics. 

 

For over four years, Mantero has been developing RESILK®, a regenerated silk fabric made from silk production waste, that peculiarly resembles cashmere in its final form. RESILK® was designed with the goal to maintain and respect the intrinsic value of silk fabrics, their environment and the work behind their creation: from the cultivation of the mulberry and silkworm to the creation of yarns and fabrics. Recovering the waste generated from the silk production processes or surplus production, takes place entirely in Italy in partnership with Marchi & Fildi. The variation in appearance and any irregularities of the fabric are characteristic, as pre-consumer deadstock was selected and purified by hand. 

 

RESILK® is available in a wide range of weaves, including for the home sector, a yarn-dyed jacquard version, dyed stoles, screen-printed and digital printed fabrics created in partnership with Ecotec® by Marchi & Fildi.

 

Discover Mantero’s RESILK® collection on our Future Fabrics Virtual Expo

 

Tune in to our conversation with Lucia Mantero, Head of Product Development of Mantero, on 2nd July 2020, 12:00-12:20 PM BST on Instagram LIVE during Future Fabrics VIRTUAL Expo LIVE week. For more events, REGISTER HERE. 

 

 

Mantero Q&A: 

 

1. Can you tell us about your newest sustainable innovation RESILK® and how it plays a part in the circular economy?

 

Mantero: In the search for product perfection, the process also comes with careful selection, compliance with agreements and meeting luxury market needs. The downside is that this generates a lot of  waste, becoming a source of pollution. While there is no complete comprehensive data around the amount of silk waste generated by the Como production district, we think it is reasonable to assume that every year more than 100 tons of dyed or printed silk becomes waste. For luxury segment productions, this waste is often destroyed or even burned in incinerators which have a clear environmental impact. At Mantero we take care in being sustainable, so we felt this waste in the industry was an appalling waste of a precious resource.

 

The RESILK® Project was specially created to support objective no.12 in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION. The idea was to recover the large amount of waste generated by the silk production processes, second-class fabrics and the surplus production, and transform it into a new material.

 

RESILK® is the result of four years of research, born out of a conscious approach to materials, and our drive to lead the way when it comes to transforming waste into a new fabric. Since 2015, Mantero has included the concept of circular economy in its SUSTAINABILITY programme, where the material used can only be SILK.

 

 

 

2. How do you collect the discarded silk materials and how are they turned into this unique new fibre?

 

M: First, Mantero silk fabrics are grouped by homogeneous classes based on yarn treatment and the processing during weaving and finishing. Then the fabrics are cut and shredded with appropriate machines to create silk flakes. Silk flakes are spun again to create a regenerated pure silk yarn, RESILK®, certified under the Global Recycled Standard.

 

This yarn is then woven, dyed and printed to create 100% silk fabrics with highly innovative content, which are distinguishable from the original material. The fabrics are: 1. technically compliant with the market demands; 2. aesthetically compliant with fashion needs; 3. cost-sustainable; 4. derived from recycling.

 

3. We understand you offer a unique custom creative process where designers work in consultation with Mantero to achieve a unique bespoke material. Can you tell us more about this process?

 

M: Customisation is part of our DNA in the creation process.  We offer the same process for RESILK®, working closely with our clients to create a fabric that fits brand characteristics and collection requirements – starting from the same yarn. We have already developed some woven fabrics and prints samples as a point of departure in the development we do closely with brand creative team.

 

 

 

4. How can fashion have a positive impact on nature and communities?   

M: Due to fashion’s social exposure, being conscious and sustainable in fashion production offers a strong positive message for many. Respecting our environment and human beings must be at the centre of what we do – and fashion can help to underline values and needs.

 

5. What are your goals and plans moving forward?

M: For us, RESILK® confirms that you can also create “cool” products with an upcycled material — that is an incredible change from what we traditionally define as “luxury” principles! There can be many evolutions and possibilities of the yarn for different products and uses, such as home accessories. We are actively studying new fabrics based on RESILK®.

 

Discover more about Mantero here

Register for Future Fabrics Virtual Expo LIVE here

 

 

 

From 1st-8th July 2020, The Sustainable Angle will be hosting Future Fabrics VIRTUAL Expo LIVE, a specially curated week of online events and material resources dedicated to sustainable materials sourcing solutions.

 

During the LIVE week, we will be contextualising the materials showcased on our platform with informative educational content and insights from industry experts via live panel discussions, spotlighting the latest innovations around circular fashion, recycling technologies, and regenerative agriculture. Throughout the week we will discuss how fashion needs to reset itself to be a more sustainable, responsible, inclusive and diverse industry – fashion can be a vehicle for change, towards a future where those who create, manufacture, communicate and experience fashion are empowered to be change makers.

 

Building upon the events during LIVE week, our online discovery and sourcing platform for sustainable textiles and materials, Future Fabrics VIRTUAL Expo, will also be free to access during the week.  The Virtual Expo recently re-launched with increased search capability and the opportunity for direct contact with international mills — users can access thousands of featured materials that have a reduced environmental impact.

 

 

In line with our recent relaunch of the Future Fabrics VIRTUAL Expo, we are proud to partner with TECHSTYLE for the transactional part of fabrics sourcing. Techstyle is an eCommerce platform dedicated to purchasing sustainable fabrics. Founded in 2018, the platform connects apparel brands and fabric suppliers in the most efficient, accessible and transparent marketplace online. The Future Fabrics VIRTUAL Expo currently showcases a select number of sustainable materials with a ‘buy’ button, indicating that these materials can be purchased directly on the Techstyle platform. 

 

 

 

Techstyle and Future Fabrics Expo share a common vision of working towards a fashion industry that has a positive impact on nature and communities. By enabling the creation of responsible fashion product and by applying sustainable practices throughout the supply chain, the fashion industry can become a vehicle for change. “The goal of this partnership is to fuse the Future Fabrics Expo’s expertise in educating stakeholders through curated content [of sustainable materials], with Techstyle’s focus on enabling responsible decision making at the point of purchase,” says Tiffany Chen, CEO and Founder of Techstyle.  

 

Tiffany grew up in a family that produced garments for global clothing brands for more than 30 years. Having been exposed to this industry since childhood, Tiffany saw the increasing number of problems emerge with the rise of Fast Fashion, and started to grasp the severity of environmental damages caused. Realising that the family’s business had been a beneficiary and a direct contributor to the problem was a shocking wake up call. Tiffany felt personally responsible to use the insights and relationships through her families’ network to come up with a solution, and therefore created Techstyle in late 2018.

 

 

 

“The fashion industry has thus far struggled to effectively address the environmental issues due to its opaque, fragmented and archaic supply-chain,” says Tiffany. “Digital services play a fundamental role in transforming this supply-chain, enabling more sustainable industry practices on three levels.”

 

The first level, says Tiffany, is digitalised sourcing that brings information transparency into the design and purchase processes. “By providing instant and accurate information on each fabric’s content, production process and environmental footprint through the digital channel, designers and buyers are empowered with the knowledge to make more informed and responsible decisions.”

 

At the second level, a digital transaction platform in the form of a marketplace effectively identifies and optimally matches demand and supply, ensuring more efficient resource allocation. “This eliminates the over-purchase of high MOQ items and improves the resell of leftover fabrics, providing the essential infrastructure for closed-loop recycling and waste minimization,” Tiffany continues. 

 

Finally, Tiffany adds, a technology-enabled system architecture ensures more reliable tracking and management of interactions in each phase of the product life cycle. “To thoroughly assess the environmental impact and ensure sustainability standards of each fashion item requires end-to-end traceability, and this would not be possible without technologies and a digitized sourcing system.”

 

In a period where cost and lead-time pressure continue to hinder fashion brands from switching more quickly to sustainable practices, Techstyle believes that simplicity and ease of use are critical. “Our partnership with The Sustainable Angle’s Future Fabrics Virtual Expo creates a more complete yet streamlined sourcing experience, where initial fabric discovery and selection are seamlessly integrated with subsequent purchases that are simpler and easier via the digital medium,” says Tiffany.

 

Ultimately, tackling sustainability issues in this complex and inter-connected industry requires industry stakeholders to work together.  The Sustainable Angle’s Future Fabrics Expo and Techstyle are working towards building a more inclusive ecosystem together that is conducive to greater collaboration and collection actions.

 

Tune in to our conversation with Tiffany Chen, “The Future of Fabric Sourcing Online”, on 1st July 2020, 3 PM BST, during Future Fabrics VIRTUAL Expo LIVE week. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter for the latest news and updates on how to register in the upcoming weeks, along with the full list of guest speakers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This current emergency has given us all an opportunity to reimagine our industry, and to define what successful business really means for people and planet and work towards a responsible and positive relationship with our planet’s resources. Throughout our Materials Solutions Digital Masterclass Series we look forward to recovery from the global pandemic, both for our collective human health, and that of the planet.

 

The Materials Solutions Digital Masterclass Series seeks to inform and educate on the place of specific fibre categories in a preferred materials mix, and their important place in reshaping and creating a responsible, sustainable and restorative fashion industry.

 

This unprecedented global pandemic has forced us all to cease the relentless activity that the fashion industry demands of us, and has created space for us to pause, and reflect upon how our choices can contribute to new, responsible practices that must emerge from the current crisis.

 

Materials play a critical role in building a fashion industry that places people and planet as priorities, and the creation of equitable economic systems that replace the current unsustainable, polluting and waste generating model.  The series is supported by key examples of commercially available qualities from our Virtual Expo and provides insights into our suppliers best practice materials.

 

INTRODUCTION with Guest Speaker Carole Collet (Director of Maison/0 (The Central Saint Martins LVMH Sustainable Innovation Programme)) – Wednesday 29th April 

This session frames our current materials landscape, and explores the crucial place of a diverse, responsibly created materials mix. The principles of regenerative design and other design thinking systems that can support and inform the creation of a responsible industry for the future will be discussed.  Amanda Johnston gives an introduction to The Sustainable Angle’s environmental criteria and ‘9 to Define’ design and systems thinking approach to rationalising material and design.  Carole Collet provides a breakdown of ‘Regenerative Design’ principles.  

“A regenerative design attitude goes beyond reducing our impact and goes into repairing our ecosystem and our communities.” – Carole Collet 

COTTON with Sarah Compson, International Development Manager at Soil Association– Wednesday 6th May

Conventional cotton is the most important natural fibre, accounting for a quarter of global fibre demand, and grown in intensively farmed unsustainable monocultures around the globe. With its roots in the slave trade, human rights abuses still pervade the supply chain of conventionally grown cotton.  In this episode, learn how best practice cotton agricultural practices can transform the environmental and social impacts of this fibre, and its role in carbon sequestration.  Attendees will gain an understanding of the critical impacts of this fibre, as well as which types of cotton to prioritise and why.

 

BAST FIBRES + AGRICULTURAL WASTE with Gill Gledhill (GGHQ Fashion Intelligence Ltd Managing Director) and Hannes Schoenegger (Bananatex Co-Founder and CEO) – Wednesday 13th May

This session focuses on the under-explored bast category of stem fibres, harvested from flax, hemp, ramie, nettle, etc. and the new agriculturally harvested waste category of grown cellulose.  The Sustainable Angle team and guest speakers will provide comprehensive knowledge of the properties and inherent sustainability credentials of the bast category of fibres.  Additionally, viewers can discover how the ingenious use of cellulose from agricultural waste is reframing new material innovation of the future.

 

PROTEIN FIBRES with Hanna Denes (Textile Exchange Senior Standards Manager) and  Jackie Andrews (Senior Lecturer in Sustainability and Textiles Development Strategist) – Wednesday 20th May

The use of animal fibres has a long history, offering complex structures and properties that man made fibres cannot replicate.  However, land use, unethical practices and processing impacts, as well as environmental impacts as a result of intensive farming have raised essential questions.  This session will provide insights and guidance into best practice initiatives for sourcing protein fibres.

 

REGENERATED CELLULOSICS with Claire Bergkamp (Stella McCartney, WW Sustainability & Innovation Director) – Wednesday 27th May

As a man-made cellulose fibre, this category of cellulosics is an important fibre source.  Its comfortable and absorbent properties are much sought after as an alternative to cotton.  This episode provides understanding of the provenance and processing systems that enable best practice choices in this Regenerated Cellulosics.  Viewers will discover the next generation of regenerated fibres poised to provide more diverse material sources.

 

SYNTHETICS & RECYCLED with Steven Cheung (Recyctex Founder and President) and Scott Echols (Programme Director ZHDC, Roadmap To Zero) – Wednesday 3rd June

From the middle of the twentieth century synthetic fibres have dominated our fibre landscape, and currently account for two thirds of global fibre demand.  This episode provides understanding of the negative impacts of this non-renewable fibre source, as well as a breakdown of how our reliance upon this petroleum derived group of fibres needs to be re-focused.  Guided by insights from our guest speaker, Steven Cheung, attendees can discover how recycling technologies can limit impacts and utilise waste streams to recapture value and contribute to the circular economy.

 

LEATHER & SKIN ALTERNATIVES with Yoann Regent (Kering, Sustainable Sourcing – Bio-Diversity & Animal Welfare Specialist) – Wednesday 10th June

For many centuries the skins of animals have been valued as a durable by-product of the meat industry. However, current intensive farming practices are contributing to the decimation of rainforests, clearing land for intensively raising ever increasing numbers of cattle, thus contributing to CO2 emissions.  This session will provide key insights into the place of responsibly farmed and processed animal skins in a diverse materials mix.  We will also dive into the growing interest in innovative alternatives that meet demands for non-animal products that limit petrochemical use.

 

SUMMARY: FUTURE PROOFING FASHION and HOW THE FASHION INDUSTRY CAN PLAY A POSITIVE ROLE with Cyrill Gutsch (Founder and CEO Parley for the Oceans) – Wednesday 17th June

To conclude our deep dive Materials Solutions Digital Masterclass Series, this session draws together the key learnings from the six material sessions to provide an overview of the diverse material directions that will contribute to future proofing our industry.  This summary edition provides critical perspectives on where the new materials solutions, directions and opportunities lie in shaping a re-imagined and responsible future for fashion will be explored.  The conversation will focus on how the fashion industry can play a positive role? How can its supply chains be climate positive, protect biodiversity and the oceans – what materials to be used to achieve that?

 

MISSED THE LAST THREE EPISODES OF OUR DIGITAL MASTERCLASS SERIES? 

You can still sign up for the full series even if you haven’t been able to tune in so far – we will send you the recordings and all relevant resources!

FULL SERIES: Book all 8 episodes + 9th Future Fabrics Expo Report & Exhibitor Directory included! @ £320. 

 

WHAT EACH EPISODE INCLUDES:

 

• Each episode will include a presentation of key information of each fibre type (fibre demand, environmental impacts, low impact alternatives, sustainability information), key supplier examples followed by a conversation with guest speaker, and close with Q&A with The Sustainable Angle team. In each episode you will see solutions: materials presented from our exhibitors at the Future Fabrics Expo.
• By signing up for an episode of our digital masterclass series, you will receive a cheat sheet from each episode with useful links, perfect for your next sourcing!
• If you are unable to join us live, all episodes will be recorded and made available by email for 2 weeks following the live date to those who register for that session.

 

Click here to register for our Materials Solutions Digital Masterclass Series! 

 

 

We are so pleased to announce the full programme of our Seminar Series in partnership with Parley accompanying the 9th Future Fabrics Expo coming up 29-30 January 2020! ⁠

 

“Our vision is to facilitate and support a re-imagined fashion industry where creativity and designing for sustainability contributes positively to people and the planet. As much as fashion is part of the problem it’s also part of the solution by following regenerative and restorative principles, a circular systems approach and sustainable design: it can turn into a powerful force for positive change to help tackle the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and depletion of finite resources. Fashion can be a vehicle for change, towards a future where those who create, manufacture, communicate and experience fashion are empowered to be change-makers.” 

Nina Marenzi, founder and director of The Sustainable Angle’s Future Fabrics Expo

 

In addition to our thousands of globally sourced textiles and materials, the Future Fabrics Expo is home to our popular seminar programme which features a dozen panel discussions held by thought leaders, experts and change-makers.  This year, our panelists will tackle topics such as Regenerative Agriculture, AI & 3D Design, Biodegradability & Compostability, Circularity, and so much more… 

Mini seminars – Sustainable Sourcing 101 (20 minutes each), will be held in our Extra Seminar Space in between the main seminar panels, to introduce the basics of sustainable fabrics sourcing. The mini seminars will be hosted by members of The Sustainable Angle team, as well as a special Manufacturers edition by Faik Emir Ozturk from Orbit Consulting.

29th January 2020
12.10-12.30 by The Sustainable Angle team
15.10-15.30 by The Sustainable Angle team

30th January 2020
12.10-12.30 by Faik Emir Ozturk of Orbit Consulting
15.45-16.45 by Amanda Johnston in the Main Seminar Space

This will be an incredible opportunity to:

• Learn about the impacts of the fashion and textiles industries.
• Learn how to source preferred fibres.
• Discover emerging innovations that utilise waste in circular systems.
• Learn how to make more responsible material choices.

 

Don’t miss out on this incredible line-up, book your tickets HERE for the Future Fabrics Expo!  

For more, check out an exclusive look at last year’s Seminars, as well as our highlights video from last year.

 

Throughout June, our schedules have been packed with presenting and moderating at many different conferences, educational workshops, events and talks in London – all these prestigious events were dedicated to sustainability – a clear sign that the fashion industry is finally putting sustainability centre stage where it belongs, and no longer considers it as a ‘trend’, or just a ‘box to be ticked’ in the corporate reports. However, a sense of urgency to act quickly and decisively is still too often lacking..

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fran Burns, The Store, 180 Strand

4 June 2019

 

We were honoured to collaborate with Francesca Burns, Fashion Stylist, who invited us to hold a workshop at The Store X for her peers, fellow stylists and friends in the fashion industry.  We valued the opportunity to engage with stylists directly as they are uniquely placed to direct fashion brands towards more sustainable practice. They often take on a role essentially consulting brands, holding the power to engage said brands, asking questions, recommending more sustainable and responsibly produced materials, helping highlight and communicate fashion that has been created responsibly and sustainably.  

Fashion is a key cultural communicator and powerful agent for change that goes beyond simply what we wear.  Stylists are working right at that important stage of connection and communication with brands, holding a unique potential to drive engagement with sustainability. 

 

supported by Lenzing Group, Old Trewman Brewery

2 June – 5 June 2019

 

The Sustainable Angle’s Curator and Educational Consultant – Amanda Johnston –  hosted a daily educational workshop at Graduate Fashion Week’s newly launched “Considered Design Hub”, powered by Farfetch. She presented our “8 to Create” systems thinking framework, explored material innovations such as

Tencel ™ Lyocell using Refibra™ technology by Lenzing Group, and showcased how to exercise creative thinking when working with sustainable materials as per the dozens of Tencel™  fabrics on display.

The “Considered Design Hub” was introduced as a response to the increase in graduates focusing on sustainability and the need for more ethical and sustainable practices within the fashion industry. Graduate Fashion Week is the world’s largest event for BA Fashion talent, featuring 25 catwalk shows and stands, alongside a schedule of talks and workshops from leading industry names. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Stylus Event, County Hall

6 June 2019

 

Decoded Future 2019 had the underlying theme of…  you guessed it! Sustainability.  With the aim of shaping a collective vision of what a more sustainable vision could look like, the conference examined everything from the circular economy to the impacts of technological innovations.  Our Founder and Director Nina Marenzi moderated the panel “Sharing Is Caring: Is The Second-Hand Economy A Shift In The Shoppers Mindset Or Just A Desire For Discounted Designer Products?”   Through questioning and discussion with Katy Lubin, VP communications for Lyst, Sara Arnold, Founder of Higher Studio, and Clara Chappaz, Chief Growth Officer of Vestiaire Collective, the panel discussed the ins and outs of the sharing economy.  With consumers continuing to strive for a more sustainable and collaborative way of living (it’s estimated that by 2023 the second-hand market will be worth $51billionUSD), the panel unpacked whether the key solution lies in innovative rental models.  Seeing as, on average, over 80% of garments are worn less than three times, there is promise in alternative systems which create a variance in our relationship with our clothes, allowing space to experience luxury at a lower cost and higher speed. 

 

organised by CoGo x Google for Startups Campus

11 June 2019

 

During London Tech Week, Google Startups UK and Ethical Living App CoGo hosted an event examining how innovation has the potential to create a sustainable fashion that ‘doesn’t cost the earth.’  Our Founder and Director Nina Marenzi was invited to moderate the panel on how innovation is creating a more sustainable footprint in the clothes and ornaments we wear – from diamonds to sweaters and handbags. Kirsty Emery, Co-Founder of UNMADE, Ben Gleisner, Founder and CEO of CoGo, Laura Chavez, Founder of Lark & Berry, and Leanne Kemp, Founder of Everledger joined together to discuss how each of the panellists’ companies is placing sustainability at the centre of its business.  From using decommissioned fire hoses in creating accessories (Elvis and Kresse), to using blockchain for tracing natural diamonds (Everledger), to on-demand, customisable design (UNMADE), to discussing lab-grown diamonds avoiding potential problems with mining (Lark & Berry), and finally an app connecting conscious consumers to sustainable businesses in their area (CoGo) – sustainability was the key driver for these innovative and tech solutions!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

French Chamber of Commerce, Spring Studios

13 June 2019

 

London Luxury Think Tank, a spin-off of French Chamber Great Britain, assembles leaders, pioneers and experts from across the fields of Luxury, Fashion, Technology, Research & Innovation, CSR, Ethics and Sustainability to share ideas, expertise and insights.  It was wonderful to be a part of it again, now for their second edition, at Spring Studios, where the key focus was sustainability.  Our Founder & Director Nina Marenzi was on the panel discussing “What makes a product sustainable & ethical?”  Together with Nicolas Gerlier, CEO of La Bouche Rouge, Sylvie Bénard, Head of Environmental Sustainability at LVMH, and Pierre-Alexandre Bapst, Sustainability Director of Hermès,  on a panel moderated by Brook Roberts-Islam Co-Director of BRIA.  La Bouche Rouge aims to combat harmful plastic pollution of the cosmetics industry by implementing innovative chemical formulation of their purely vegan lipstick which is free of microplastics commonly used in industry, all packaged in a luxurious refillable case.  While Hermès’ approach is to put emphasis on heritage, artisanal skills, promoting high quality and longevity of product life cycle.  This conversation between key industry players highlighted the fact that within sustainability there is often not a singular, simple solution.  There is always a necessity for nuanced, multifaceted, multidisciplinary approaches depending on the ethos of the brand.

 

Jumeirah Carlton Tower

18 June 2019

 

Kicking off with a Keynote by our advisory board member, Arizona Muse, The Telegraph’s Responsible Fashion Forum was a day jam-packed with discussions around transparency, traceability and sustainability across the supply chain. 

Across the board there was a consensus that Environmental and Social Sustainability go hand in hand, the conversations should not be siloed.  This was essential in TSA’s Amanda Johnston’s panel discussion (together with Patsy Perry, Senior Lecturer, University of Manchester, and moderated by Lily Gray, Head of Partnerships, First Mile) where the starting point of discussion was the effects of chemical usage on the environment.  Crucially, it was a question from the audience that highlighted that the true effect of chemical usage is on the people who were not present in that room. 

Water scarcity affects more than 40 per cent of the global population, and more than 80 per cent of wastewater resulting from human activities is discharged into rivers or the sea without any pollution removal (United Nations, 2018).  Most textile processing is heavily concentrated in regions where water quality is already low, putting vulnerable populations at risk.

The perfect finale was hearing from Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, Mary Creagh MP: Coincidentally the conference took place on the very day of the disappointing decision by the UK Parliament to reject every recommendation from the Fixing Fashion report proposed last February by said committee. This is directly in contradiction with the announcement the week before when the same government enshrined in law that the UK will have “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.  We commend Mary Creagh for her work and tenacity: When asked “What’s next?” by a member of the audience, she urged everyone in the room to keep pushing for sustainable practice because the voice of the consumer is next, together making it impossible for the government not to listen.

As ever, at The Sustainable Angle, we are presenting thousands of innovative sustainable textiles solutions to the fashion industry that are commercially available. We have been researching and gathering these materials since 2010: we are busier than ever filtering through materials that are produced more sustainably and responsibly in order to ensure they really do have a lower environmental impact. They are in our London studio: see them at one of our masterclasses or book a visit to one of our workshops and will, of course, be showcased at the 9th Future Fabrics Expo 29-30th January 2020 – save the date! Early Bird Registration will open soon…

Read more about the Future Fabrics Expo

on 14 March 2019, London, UK

It was wonderful to be part of this sold-out event, and to join the conversation examining the challenges and transitions to a more sustainable future for fashion. Over 200 professionals from leading brands and retailers, supply chain specialists, and materials and technology innovators gathered together to explore how to bring sustainability initiatives to the top of the agenda, and unlock the business potential of these initiatives within fashion.

The event opened with MP Mary Creagh’s dynamic address on why fashion needs fixing. She presented the case for an urgent call to action by the fashion industry, outlining its huge environmental impact, its effects on overconsumption,  waste creation and workers’ rights. Creagh shared the findings of the Environmental Audit Committee’s recent report ‘Fixing Fashion’ — which she chairs — and urged the fashion industry to step up its game in order to meet global targets on climate change, foster sustainable development, and address workers’ welfare. The report proposed sustainable solutions that can involve legislation, such as a 1p charge per item of clothing in the UK to help fund better waste collection and recycling systems.

“Fashion businesses need to sign up to UK’s sustainable action plan,” says Creagh. “Every fashion business should operate under a license that includes targets on carbon, waste and water. Thirsty crops will be taxed eventually.”

The day offered a packed schedule of talks, panels and Dragons Den-style innovation pitches. Discussions involved some of the most progressive and visionary fashion brands and retailers, leading not-for-profit bodies and sustainability champions from around the world big and small, such as Fashion Revolution, Kering, Burberry, and many more.

Forum for the Future‘s Sally Uren urged creatives to design for nothing less than systemic change, while Adidas x Parley for the Oceans presented their AIR strategy (“Avoid, Intercept and Redesign”), an inspiring example to others in the industry.

Katharine Hamnett, one of the original fashion activists, said, “Brands have to be forced to produce more sustainably. Natural fibres are carbon sinks, they cut pollution, and build employment opportunities. Above all, citizens have to be more politically engaged! Ask shop assistants questions, and demand that more organic cotton is used.”

The Sustainable Angle showcased a selection of commercially available material solutions and upcoming innovations from the Future Fabrics Expo, alongside our partner Lenzing Group.

At the conference, Curator Amanda Johnston presented The Sustainable Angle’s ‘8 to Create: Principles for People, Planet and Responsible Prosperity’ to support informed sourcing and design systems thinking. This was followed by a conversation with Tamsin Lejeune from Common Objective. Tamsin and Amanda discussed their perspectives on current and future materials impacts and how their respective projects contribute to minimising the environmental and social impacts of our industry.

A huge congratulations to the Drapers team for coordinating this exciting event that supports the transition to a cleaner, greener future. It is great to see how all members of the industry can make positive contributions throughout the fashion supply chain. 

 

Our 8th Future Fabrics Expo returned last week on 24-25th January 2019 for its most ambitious showcase yet!

 

 

Our biggest-ever edition of the Expo took place in the sleek, 22,000 sq ft venue of Victoria House Basement in central London, and welcomed more than 2500 visitors over the two days. The turnout and engagement truly exceeded our expectations, with a record number of visitors ranging from luxury brands to high street retailers to startups, academics and students.

 

As the largest dedicated showcase of sustainable materials for the fashion and textile industry, the 8^th Future Fabrics Expo featured over 5000 commercially-available fabrics and materials from suppliers who are offering innovative solutions with a low environmental footprint.  For the first time, we showcased a dozen best practice suppliers in their own stand. 

 

 

The two-day event is unique: a curated showcase which displays educational background information alongside thousands of materials. This enables fashion industry professionals to engage with positive and informed decision-making. We provide tools and advise on responsible practices, promoting a diverse material future. Each material in our showcase is individually labelled with sustainability information, as well as its key environmental criteria, which we developed with the Centre for Sustainable Fashion back in 2011.

 

 

As the consumer demand for sustainable products continues to heighten, the fashion supply chain is responding by finding solutions and collaborative opportunities that address the environmental damages caused by our industry.

 

To support this growing conversation, The Sustainable Angle expanded its 8^th expo to showcase the whole sustainability journey, from fibre to garment. This year, we featured 12 best-practice core exhibitors and manufacturers in their own booth, a bigger Innovation Hub that included a collaboration with Fashion for Good-Plug and Play Accelerator Programme, an information zone, and a fashion brands space. Our popular seminar series hosted a dozen discussions with 26 speakers to a captive audience of 250!

 

 

The awareness around this year’s 8th Future Fabrics Expo is evident that sustainability is no longer a “trend” or option, but a critical imperative for one of the most polluting industries on the planet.  “This culture has to change. We need to be more curious: read the label, ask questions and research the brand’s sustainability credentials,” says Nina Marenzi, Founder and Director of The Sustainable Angle.

 

Through the resources and activities showcased at the Expo, The Sustainable Angle aims to promote and connect materials suppliers with visionary designers and brands, who realise that fashion can have a positive impact upon nature and communities by working with safe, renewable materials and responsible practices throughout the supply chain.

 

 

See the core exhibitors and sponsors that were shown alongside the curated showcase of 5000 materials:

Lenzing Group with TENCEL™ // Hallotex// Toyoshima // Nova Kaeru // Shokay // Advance Denim // Coccccon Crafts Loom // Beyond Surface Technologies // Mozartex // Comistra // Santoni // Procalcado // Bossa Denim // Organic Textile Company // Lebenskleidung //

Manufacturers: Gaia Sourcing // Supply Compass // Profits Fund // Papillon Bleu //

 

Thank you to all who helped us organise and support this 8^th edition, and a SPECIAL thank you to the kind support of all our wonderful interns and volunteers helping during the last few days leading up to the expo.

 

 

 

Event Highlights:

 

• Our opening event was kicked off with a mesmerising installation by Holition augmented retail in the entrance hall, welcome remarks by Nina Marenzi and a performance by comedian Deborah Frances-White from the popular podcast The Guilty Feminist.
• Our 8 TO CREATE principles for people and planet and fibre timeline set the scene and created the context for discovery.
• A new biodegradability area featured packaging leader Tipa Corp.
• Our new fashion brands spaces were curated by Arizona Muse x RCM Studio and a second one was supported by Lenzing Group.
• Lenzing Group showcased a complete display from raw material to fibre, including a new TENCEL^TM collaboration with US footwear brand Allbirds.
• Hallotex visualised their textile recycling process with an impressive 200kg fabric bale made from 6000 cotton t-shirts.
• A bookshop by Chrome Yellow and a delicious plant-based café by Plates catered to attendees during breaks.
• An information zone at the expo featured GOTS, Fashion Revolution, Retailer standards by Dr. Pamela Ravasio, and a Design Toolkit for the industry.
• Our seminar panels were moderated by Clare Press, presenter of the Wardrobe Crisis podcast and Australian VOGUE’s Sustainability Editor-at-Large, Arizona Muse, model and sustainability campaigner, and Bel Jacobs, ethical fashion journalist and former fashion editor for the Metro.
• We hosted a private evening panel with our partners at the Fabric of Life series, titled ‘Fabrics for a Flourishing Future’, which explored the environmental issues in the complex fashion supply chain, its impact on biodiversity and opportunities opening up through innovation. Guests included Neva Murtha of Canopy Planet, Phil Townsend from M&S, Stacy Flynn of Evrnu, Clare Press, and The Sustainable Angle’s Curator Amanda Johnston.
• To top it off, we held an Impact Investors Breakfast as part of the expo for a select group of invited angel investors, funds and family offices representatives to discover the start-up companies and sustainable materials in our Innovation Hub.

 

Our favourite seminar quotes:

• “Sustainability is not a challenge for us, but a springboard for innovation.” – Adriana Galijasevic, G-Star RAW
• “Not enough different fibres are being used in fashion. Environmental and social issues go together.” – Orsola de Castro, Fashion Revolution, and Claire Bergkamp, Stella McCartney
• “Everything in fashion comes from nature. If fashion can change, all other industries that are tied up in fashion can too…Creativity is the power to act.” – Prof. Dilys Williams, Centre for Sustainable Fashion
• “Inspire others with what you wear by showcasing the future through what you wear.” Edwina Ehrman, V&A, and Ben Gleisner, CoGo
• “This is a systems challenge, we need to change business models and increase innovation.” – Lukas Fuchs, The Ellen MacArthur Foundation
• “The world has finite resources but the economy is built on the idea of infinite growth, so we have to find a new way to work.” – Matthew Drinkwater, Fashion Innovation Agency

 

Full video seminar series available for streaming soon…sign up for our mailing list to stay updated!

 

 

STAY CONNECTED >>> to find out more about our upcoming masterclasses on sustainable materials for fashion, resuming March 2019 in London.

 

A big thank you to:

Avery Dennison//  Holition // Fashion for Good // Jeffies // Journey // ModusBPCM // Plates London // Perception Live // Domaine La Ferriere // Elf Ideas // Design Surgery // Showhow // Femi Fem // Papertown // Greenhouse Graphics // Get a Grip Studio

All images copyright2019© photographed by Suzanne Plunkett.

 

Only two days away!
The Sustainable Angle’s 8th Future Fabrics Expo
24th – 25th January 2019
9 am – 6 pm

It’s finally here! This week, our Future Fabrics Expo will be unveiling the largest dedicated showcase of commercially-available fabrics and materials with a lower environmental footprint. Join our expo to discover innovative and sustainable solutions for fashion, as we highlight the whole journey from fibre to garment. 

The 8th Future Fabrics Expo will be displaying thousands of fabrics and materials at a new venue of 22,000 sq ft:

Victoria House Basement
Bloomsbury Square, entrance Southampton Row
London, WC1B 4DA
Nearest tube station: Holborn station, Central line.

 

Register for your ticket today, and keep scrolling below to get a preview of all our Future Fabrics Expo highlights!

REGISTER TODAY

 

For the first time, the 8th Future Fabrics Expo will be featuring two curated areas dedicated to fashion brands who are integrating sustainability at the core of their businesses:

Supported by Lenzing Group:
Mara Hoffman / Chen Wen / Armedangels / Giray Sepin / Rajesh Pratap Singh / Soster Studio

Curated by Arizona Muse x RCM Studio:
Bethany Williams / Tiziano Guardini / Patrick McDowell / Swedish Stockings / Mother of Pearl / Maggie Marilyn / Kitx / Aiayu

8th Future Fabrics Expo seminar series in partnership with G-Star RAW:

Our popular seminar programme will run alongside the expo throughout both days, featuring speakers from some of the most influential organisations in sustainable textiles and fashion. Speakers and panel discussions will be introduced by Clare Press, presenter of the Wardrobe Crisis podcast and Australian VOGUE’s Sustainability Editor-at-Large, Arizona Muse, model and sustainability campaigner, and Bel Jacobs, ethical fashion journalist and former fashion editor for Metro.

 

VIEW THE FULL SEMINAR PROGRAMME HERE

 Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for live updates of our seminar series.

 

The thousands of materials on show at the #FutureFabricsExpo represent true alternatives to conventional fabrics. Discover materials such as:

• Biodegradable Tencel™
• Recycled wool
• Low-impact leather 
• Eco responsible viscose 
• Organic cotton
• Sustainable denims 
• Vegan leather
• Recycled pre/post-consumer textiles
• Low impact linen, hemp and silks
….and more!

 

REGISTER NOW!

 

 

“Can innovative ideas, designs, business models and materials help reinvent the future of fashion?” 

This was the central topic of discussion on the 4 October, when The Sustainable Angle’s Future Fabrics Expo joined “Reinventing Fashion”, an event hosted by the Hoffman Centre for Sustainable Resource Economy hosted at the Chatham House, in collaboration with the Circular Economy Club.

The event brought together consumers, designers, retailers, innovators, material scientists, business and media leaders, policy makers and campaigners to discuss cutting edge technologies that could shape the future of fashion.

Panel speakers at the event included Sarah Ditty from Fashion Revolution, Pamela Mar from The Fung Group, Fee Gilfeather from Oxfam, Zoe Partridge from Wear the Walk, Giorgina Waltier from H&M Sustainability, and Orr Yarkoni of Colorifix. 

 

“As a society we purchase 400% more clothing than we did just twenty years ago,” says Sarah Ditty, Head of Policy at Fashion Revolution, during the discussion. 

With its heavy environmental impact, the current state of consumer fashion paints a notoriously bleak picture: tonnes of unused clothing ends up in landfill waste or incineration, plastic microfibers make their way to the aquatic food chain, and 98 million tonnes of non-renewable resources such as oil, fertilizers and chemicals are consumed for production purposes (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, A new textiles economy: Redesigning fashion’s future, 2017, http://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/publications).

Pamela Mar, Executive Vice President, Supply Chain Futures, and Director of Sustainability for The Fung Group, sheds a positive light to this context during the discussion. “Manufacturing is decoupled from design, and we need to bring them back together – if you adapt your design it can take pressure off the garment workers.”

“Bring design into manufacturing. So that the designer is aware how any changes can directly affect production. This can be enabled by #tech to create direct connection,” says Mar.

Mar could not have described better the work that we do here at The Sustainable Angle’s Future Fabrics Expo.  After the panel discussion, guests were invited to preview our curated selection of materials in the halls of Chatham House. We enabled attendees to have a tactile experience and discover the collective and material efforts of innovative leaders and suppliers who are driving the fashion industry forward. 

“Reinventing Fashion” was a perfect setting for us, as we continue to provide designers and brands with innovative, integrated solutions to responsible sourcing that challenges the fashion industry.    

REGISTER TODAY for our upcoming 8th Future Fabrics Expo.

 

 

Watch the Panel Discussion here. Images and video courtesy of Chatham House.  

13th September 2018

Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week in Istanbul 

On the  13th of  September The Sustainable Angle’s curator Amanda Johnston was invited to join the Lenzing Sustainability panel discussion during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Istanbul. This year the event was held at the Zorlu Performing Arts Centre, nestled within the luxurious Zorlu shopping centre.
The history of Istanbul Fashion Week only dates back to 2008, then named Fashion Lab, expanding to become a fully-fledged fashion week in 2010.
The panel were greeted by a packed theatre with a diverse audience comprised of fashion fans, industry insiders, buyers, journalists, bloggers, influencers and photographers.
The discussion was chaired by renowned journalist Ferhan Istanbullu, and the panel was coordinated by Hale Saracoglu from Lenzing, who also contributed her expertise in the fashion industry supply chain and in the field of man made cellulosics. She conveyed the importance of clear communication around sustainability to the discussion. Hale explained and highlighted the FSC certified wood feedstock, closed loop production process and key benefits of different Lenzing fibres such as Tencel™, Eco Vero™ and Refibra™.
Ferhan was interested to hear the panel’s thoughts on defining sustainability, and to frame the importance of our fast fashion habits as contributors to the culture of fashion consumption. The panel observed that with fast fashion we have been led to consume very easily in excess quantities. We can throw away the products we don’t like or we don’t want anymore so easily, as their price suggests that their value is disposable, and we have lost the desire, patience and knowledge to care for and repair our clothing.
The challenges designers and brands face today is in implementing holistic sustainable practices- and understanding that sustainability goes beyond choosing the right fibres or production processes, but is also about the quality and longevity of garments, in order to stem the huge environmental impact that comes from today’s throw away culture of clothing.

Amanda introduced the work of the The Sustainable Angle, what we do, and how we developed our criteria, highlighting examples of more sustainable and responsible materials for fashion in both man-made and natural fibres which have a low environmental impact, highlighting the variety of choices available and the necessity to move away from unsustainable non-renewable virgin polyester and conventionally grown cotton currently dominating the market. We discussed the need for diversification of the global fibre basket, and the crucial need to develop circular models throughout the textiles supply chain, and through to product in order to provide solutions to our growing, and unmanageable material waste streams. We shared the interest from industry partners in projects that propose how we may think differently about material sources in the future, and how we manage those waste streams.
At retail lack of information on labels means that consumers don’t know where the fabric come from, what is it made of? The answers to these questions and transparency of process are important. For example TENCEL™ branded fibers come from trees. But, understanding the processes that makes the fibre, yarn and fabric are as important as the raw material of fabrics, only this way we may understand its impact to the environment and make informed choices when we shop. The need for full transparency of information, certifications and supply chain traceability being key.

Simone Seisl, Materials expert, Ambassador and Consultant for Textile Exchange said; ‘we are talking about a very serious subject with global climate change, and we need to act as a community to create a change. We have duties individually both in our professional work environment and personally in our private life. We don’t expect anyone to make a dramatic change from day one to day two however starting from today we need to start this movement step by step. Water waste, global climate change and the micro-plastic issue in the oceans are some of the environmental problems. There is no one solution to all, all the problems are linked together.’
Simone flagged up an opportunity and observed that Turkey is a key player in Denim production in the world, and that Textile Exchange believe that Turkey is poised to play an important role in the successful recycling of Denim in the future, lowering the impact on natural resources and initiating an important step towards the circular economy for textiles.

All agreed there is now an urgency to investigate how we can produce raw materials more sustainably, and innovate, by first thinking in a solutions based way. Also, discussions about some of the new innovations and solutions, developed to address our most pressing sustainability issues, including leather alternatives and the interest in recycling technologies and pre and post consumer industry and food waste materials suggested a new, responsibly produced materials landscape for the future.

The discussion concluded with a Q&A, of not only consumer habits and how to make the right fibre choices, but most importantly of how to think creatively, how sustainability should be recognised as a game changer and an opportunity, for businesses to future proof their operations. The discussion also drew attention to the significance of the impact that we as consumers and industry practitioners can have through our everyday choices.

Many thanks to Hale and the team at Lenzing Istanbul for their organisation and hospitality.

24th – 25th January 2019, Victoria House, London , WC1

 

The Sustainable Angle is delighted to announce that the 8th Future Fabrics Expo will present its largest ever dedicated sustainable materials showcase at    a new venue, Victoria House, Central London (Holborn WC1) in January 2019. 

Following the success of the 7th Future Fabrics Expo in January 2018, and in response to demand from both our partner mills and industry visitors, the 2019 8^th edition of the Future Fabrics Expo has increased in scale, ambition and vision.

Our aim is to provide the fashion industry with a one stop shop for accessing a broad range of material solutions, and the strategic tools needed to respond to the critical imperative to change current practices presented by the wasteful and polluting impacts of the fashion and textile industries.  Since our inception in 2011, the Expo has facilitated and supported sustainable sourcing practices, enabling fashion brands to begin diversifying their fabrics and materials and lowering environmental impacts.

These materials are global qualities, which  showcases and enables informed sourcing. We situate this resource in the current sustainability context, providing educational background information and research, aiming to demystify the complexities of sustainable practice. The best practice traditional natural fibres, regenerated cellulosics, naturals and synthetics bio source, and closed loop materials.

Enhancing our curated selection of globally sourced textiles and materials will be ten specially selected best practice mills and suppliers, presenting their materials in their own dedicated space. For the first time we will also showcase several manufacturers and globally recognized certifiers. A new space presenting fashion brands working with materials sourced via the Future Fabrics Expo provides a view of best practice, from materials sourcing through to product realisation.

We will also again be presenting an exciting expanded Innovation Hub, showcasing both emerging and commercially available innovations, featuring a collaboration with Fashion for Good organisation. The Innovation Hub acknowledges the recent surge in research and design that has led to the plethora of materials innovations we are now seeing surface in response to material scarcity, increasing waste streams, the need for transparent and traceable supply chains, and those addressing the cellulose gap for example .

We have coordinated again an inspirational seminar programme, featuring key thought leaders, panel discussions and presentations from innovators, industry insiders, textile producers and designers.

 

 

Why Visit?

• Ideal for sourcing more sustainable materials

• Unique showcase of thousands of innovative sustainable fashion materials with supporting individual sustainability information for each textile.
• Top 10 specially selected best practice mills and suppliers, showcasing for the first time their materials in their own dedicated space.
• Seminars that will be running  over the two days featuring  industry experts

• The Innovation Hub: with cutting edge, groundbreaking material developments, and a content collaboration with Fashion for Good.
• Sustainable Fashion Brands: A showcase of brands that create  fashion products exemplifying good practice, from materials through to finished product.

 

Nearest tube station:  Holborn station, Central line. Address: Bloomsbury Square, London WC1B 4DA

Please contact us if you require further information at info@thesustainableangle.org

 

REGISTER HERE to sign up to the  8th Future Fabric Expo

 

To find out more about The 7th Future Fabrics Expo:

https://thesustainableangle.org/the-7th-future-fabrics-expo-3/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Iwmiwq8mw

 

To find out more about recent events where the Future Fabrics Expo was showcased such as Copenhagen Fashion Summit, The London Textile Fair and London Fashion Week, please see below:

Copenhagen Fashion Summit:

https://thesustainableangle.org/the-sustainable-angles-future-fabrics-expo-at-copenhagen-fashion-summit

The London Textile Fair:

https://thesustainableangle.org/london-textile-fair

London Fashion Week:

https://thesustainableangle.org/london-fashion-week-round-up

Follow us on:

• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thesustainableangle/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sustainable_Ang
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainableAngle
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPG6tQUhPKidyEhWNp5vIEw

 

The Future Fabrics Expo at The London Textile Fair

The Sustainable Angle showcased the Future Fabrics Expo for the first time at The  London Textile Fair on the 18 & 19th July 2018 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, North London.

The London Textile Fair invited the Future Fabrics Expo as part of its vision and commitment to help guide designers and brands on their journey towards more sustainable fabric sourcing and practices.

The Sustainable Angle presented a special edition of the Future Fabrics Expo, which showcased an information platform, enabling visitors at The London Textile Fair to access and discover a diverse range of commercially available sustainable textiles and material innovations for the future of fashion. This debut of a dedicated focus on sustainable fabrics at The London Textile Fair reflects a timely recognition of the critical imperative for the fashion and textile industries to practice sustainability throughout the fashion supply chain, starting with materials sourcing, at the very fibre and fabric stage.

Within our Expo we featured two seminars each day, the first by The Sustainable Angle curator Amanda Johnston, highlighting current fashion and textile impacts. The critical need to think more intelligently about outdated models that pollute, waste precious resources and perpetrate the abuse of human rights and animal ethics were discussed. The seminar summarised the key sustainability issues of fibre and processing types, and introduced the Sustainable Angle’s perspective on materials sourcing. 

Oya Barlas Bingual from Lenzing Group introduced the company’s global firsts regarding fibre technology in low impact regenerated cellulosic’s, and the newly launched innovations that are providing viable alternatives to cotton and silk, whilst importantly paving the way towards closing the loop on our material streams. For example, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose fibres are created from certified raw materials and controlled sources, and TENCEL™ Lyocell with REFIBRA™ technology involves up-cycling a proportion of pre- consumer cotton scraps.

We were delighted to present for the first time, a curated selection of qualities that meet our criteria from the London Textile Fair exhibitors, and to highlight examples of best practice responsibly produced fabrics on the Future Fabrics Expo Forum in the main foyer. Here we also introduced our organisation and research, highlighting current data which emphasizes the need to practice more responsibly in order to future proof supply chains and business. These qualities showcased the broad range of sustainable solutions, from closed loop c, eco- down, ‘waterless’ printing, recycled materials through to GOTS certified cottons produced in France, exemplified by Les Trouvailles d’Amandine

This special edition of the Future Fabrics Expo aimed to educate and inform visitors about the latest research and initiatives of global textile organisations, who are making positive contributions to the design, manufacture, and functionality of more sustainable practices, creating and extending sustainable networks in the fashion and textile industries. We supported this by presenting a broad range of fabrics, materials and key information that contributes to increasing knowledge and providing solutions from a sourcing perspective.

The Future Fabrics Expo provide their experience, research and robust criteria to create a specially curated selection of materials and textiles with a lower environmental impact all in one place at the London Textile Fair. To enquire about our projects, research and consultancy for the fashion industry services please email info@thesustainableangle.org

Thank you to The London Textiles Fair team for hosting us, and for the overwhelmingly positive feedback from all our visitors!

 

The Sustainable Angle has reached the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. On 6th of July, The Sustainable Angle showcased a selection of low impact textiles at BAFTA as part of the event Albert Quarterlies: Designing the way to Sustainable Costume. The aim was to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability in the costume industry while giving participants the opportunity to make more sustainable material choices by sourcing from a curated showcased by The Sustainable Angle.

Hundreds of materials were displayed and were selected specifically for costume designers with an attention to small order minimum quantities and short lead times. As part of the selection were organic cotton, naturally dyed fabrics, but also bast fibres, colour grown cotton or materials made from food waste and recycled fibres.

 

 

Next to the opportunity to source fabrics, a range of speakers offered insights into their work and discussed the challenges and opportunities ahead:

Costume designers have usually only a short time frame to work which is a particular challenge, as well as the frequently changing projects were identified as making sustainability harder to tackle consistently by Sinead O’Sullivan (Co-Founder of The Costume Directory). She highlighted that collaboration and the sharing of resources are key to address these issues.

BAFTA and Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran discussed how she incorporated sustainability on the set of Beauty and the Beast and Mary Magdalena, from the vintage textiles sourced specifically for the project to the natural dyeing techniques used to create the final effect.

Orsola de Castro, co-founder of  Fashion Revolution spoke about the importance of transparency to ensure social and environmental sustainability. She emphasized how persistence and the act of asking questions can change the industry step-by-step, question after question. Her presentation was centred around: Be curious, find out, do something.

Charlie Ross, founder and Director of Offset Warehouse was talking about her journey towards sustainability and addressed questions surrounding ethics.

 

The event brought together experts in the field of sustainability of both the fashion and costume sector and we were thrilled to be part of this conversation and able to offer material solutions. It is great to see that our message to make sustainability key to every design process is also increasingly being embraced by the costume industry.

Many of the fabrics displayed at the event can also be found on our Future Fabrics Virtual Expo, online HERE, particularly in the ‘Mills with small order quantities’ section.

24th – 25th January 2018, London

The Sustainable Angle holds the 7th Future Fabrics Expo, a curated showcase of 5000+ sustainable innovative fashion materials with a lower environmental footprint, on 24-25th January 2018. Since 2011, our aim is to support sustainable sourcing, enabling fashion brands to begin diversifying their fabrics and materials basket right now in order to reduce their environmental footprint.

 

Our curated materials collection of 5000+ fashion materials embodies a range of sustainable principles, innovations and new technologies, sourced from international suppliers and mills who demonstrate a commitment to lowering the environmental impact across the textile supply chain. They are selected according to our environmental criteria established with the Centre for Sustainable Fashion. Each material on display has detailed sustainability information, relevant certifications and the contact details of the suppliers displayed.

 

 



 

Why Visit?

• Unique showcase of innovative sustainable fashion materials , Ideal for sourcing
• 5000+ fashion materials with a reduced environmental impact from over 100 mills and suppliers
• Innovation section with cutting edge, groundbreaking material developments
• Yarns
• 10 seminars held by industry experts run over 2 days alongside the expo
• Innovations, Fabrics and Leather Highlights that you read about in the news can actually be experienced in this unique, largest materials showcase in central London
• Algae derived materials
• Apple skin vegan leather
• Chrome-free tanned leathers
• Cradle to Cradle certified yarns and threads
• Ecovero, TENCEL™ Luxe, Tencel™, Refibra by Lenzing Group
• GOTS certified Inks, fabrics, lace, and ribbons
• Orange fibre
• Oyster shell fabrics
• Mushroom leather
• Pineapple textile
• Recycled polyester from ocean plastics

 



 

Seminars
At the 7th Future Fabrics Expo we will again hold our popular seminars, highlighting circular economy systems and transparency in the fashion supply chain. Tickets include entry to the seminars which can be booked upon entry to the Future Fabrics Expo on a first come first served basis.

Seminars presented by industry leaders from:
 

• Beyond Surface Technologies on finishing technology with green chemistry
• BOTTLETOP on building stores with 3D printing with recycled materials
• Lauffenmühle about making yarns, fabrics and trims Cradle to cradle certified
• Lenzing Group about continuously innovating with closed loop processing
• Responsible Wool Standard on new wool standard
• Vegea on WINELEATHER® derived from fibers + vegetal oils from wine making process

   

   

  

   

  The nearest tube stations are

   

  West Brompton on the District line – only 500 yards from Iris Studios.
  Earls Court

   

  *********************

   

  Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm

  Address: Iris Studios London, SW10 9AE

   

  Please contact us if you require further information at info@thesustainableangle.org

   

  #futurefabricsexpo #thesustainableangle #futurefabricsvirtualexpo #sustainablefabrics #sustainability #fashionmaterials #fabrics #sourcing #7thfuturefabricsexpo

  As part of London Fashion Week’s Positive Fashion initiative launching in September 2017, The Sustainable Angle is holding a talk Future of Fashion: sustainable innovation at its core on 18th September 2017.

  This will be the first time sustainability in fashion will be discussed in such a format at LFW focusing on innovations that lower the environmental impact of fashion.

  A panel of thought leaders, industry insiders and experts discuss the future of fashion and how sustainable innovations can improve the industry and lessen the impact on the environment. With the fashion industry having one of the largest environmental footprint on our planet through depletion of our natural resources, pollution and waste creation, action is required. Discussed are what solutions are available already, how the industry can be improved and what exciting innovations exist.

  The Panel:

  Daniel Lismore London based artist, fashion designer, celebrity stylist, writer and human rights campaigner.

  An artist and fashion designer known for elaborate and extravagant ensembles that brilliantly combine haute couture with his own creations, vintage fabrics, found objects, chainmail, ethnic jewellery, millinery and more in an expression of eccentric, creative energy. Daniel Lismore is engaged in sustainability and advises clients like Vivienne Westwood. Author of ‘Daniel Lismore: Be yourself, everyone else is already taken’.

  LENZING Group, Andreas Dorner, Commercial Director Textiles, Europe & Americas.

  Lenzing Group supplies the global textile and non-wovens industry with high-quality, botanic cellulose fibers such as TENCEL® and RefibraTM in a closed loop production process, representing sustainable alternatives for the fashion industry.

  Arizona Muse, Model, Mother, World Citizen

  Arizona is an American fashion model living in London, engaged with moving the fashion industry into a more sustainable industry. Involved with Fashion Revolution and participating in the Green Carpet challenge during Milan Fashion week.

  Avery Dennison retail branding and information solutions, Helen Sahi, Senior Director for Sustainability

  Avery Denison RBIS have a broad offering of responsible, ingenious solutions achieving environmental targets and sustainability goals such as eliminating waste to landfill, making labels that are bio-based and using chemicals that are not harmful. There is a wide range of solutions supporting designers who use a diverse portfolio of sustainable branding elements. With high sustainability standards that exceed the industry norm, the company is committed to leveraging our reputation among retailers, manufacturers, and brands to accelerate performance intelligently, while delivering positive economic, social, and environmental impact.

  BYSSHE, Henry Palmer, Founder

  Bysshe Partnership produces high quality fabrics in the traditional textile heartland of the British Isles using natural and organic fibres, sourcing yarns from the UK and Europe. Sustainability and regional autonomy are crucial to the way the company works, offering a fabric range that protects the environment and supports non-exploitative textile production.

  Chaired by Amanda Johnston, curator and consultant of FUTURE FABRICS EXPO of THE SUSTAINABLE ANGLE. Lecturer at the London College of Fashion, co-author of ‘Fabric for Fashion’. The Sustainable Angle is a not for profit organisation that informs & promotes sustainable practices in the fashion industry through the Future Fabrics Expo since 2011, a curated showcase of 3000 fashion materials from over 100 suppliers with a lower environmental impact.

  To get in touch about this invite only event, please email info@thesustainableangle.org

  Our new masterclass Mastering Sustainability – material sourcing for designers will be held at our West London Studio on the 7th November.

  We have added more dates for our masterclasses due the high demand we had from fashion brands following on from our previous classes earlier on this year.

  ”With clear presentations, inspiring examples and hands on sample exploration, the Future Fabrics Expo Masterclass has really given me the further understanding and confidence to begin making lasting sustainable changes in my own company.” – Matthew Oliver, Product Designer, Larsson & Jennings

  The first in the series will teach designers about material sourcing and the decisions that need to be made as a designer from a sustainable angle. Furthermore we give attendees the chance to discover a diverse range of sustainable materials and resources from the Future Fabrics Expo collection. They will receive our coveted sustainable sourcing guide, which includes a list of suppliers and their contact details.

  

  What to expect:

  The Masterclass runs from 9.30am – 12.30pm at 9.30am we’ll have coffee before a prompt start at 10am. You will experience over 3000+ materials with a lower environmental impact, touch and feel them at your leisure after learning about what you should be taking into consideration when sourcing materials sustainably. The masterclass is an interactive and tactile experience to interest and inspire you. You will be given guidance to prepare you for the decisions you’ll need to make as a designer when sourcing and makes it easier for your brand to integrate sustainability at the heart of what you do.

  • Experience a selection of over 3000+ materials and textiles with a lower environmental impact.
  • Get hands on with more sustainable materials and exciting innovations. It includes trims and cords, fibres such as regenerates, recycled fibres, wool, organic cotton, low impact leather and leather alternatives  as well as innovative new materials.
  • Learn about sustainable practices within the fashion industry in general.
  • Read detailed specifications for how each material on display is uniquely sustainable.
  • Learn about certifications for sustainable textiles and leathers

  The Future Fabrics Expo is a showcase of innovative and traditional commercially available fibres, fabrics and products that embody a range of sustainable principles and new technologies, sourced from international suppliers and mills who demonstrate a commitment to lowering environmental impact across the textile supply chain. It includes more sustainable alternatives to the widely available conventional fabrics that currently dominate the market, helping fashion companies to begin diversifying their fabric base and lowering their environmental impact at the same time. Materials at our studio will be ideally suited for a wide range of market levels and product types.

  Early Bird tickets starting from £90 (Normal price £130) you can book now >>>> http://bit.ly/2wTw1zk

  The Future Fabrics Expo Masterclass will be held at our West London studio, London.

  The nearest tube stations are:

  – Ladbroke Grove – only 0.6 miles from our studio

  – Kensal Green

  – Kensal Rise Overground

  Please contact us if you require further information at info@thesustainableangle.org

  See more testimonials from our Masterclasses here:

   

  https://www.thesustainableangle.org/future-fabrics/about/testimonials/

  See Fashion works through an online platform, aspiring fashion designers submit and share their designs. See Fashion will support/manage the manufacture and distribution of their products.
  I, Martin Brambley, research Fellow at The Sustainable Angle was delighted to sit on the panel hosted by See Fashion. I brought with me a small selection of fabrics including 100% knitted Lenzing fibres, to exemplify the need to diversify the fashion fibre basket.

   

  

   

  Ivana Director of see fashion started by introducing the panel consisting of:

  – Dr Carmen Hijosa the inventor of Piñatex

  – Utami Giles. Head of Sales and Marketing at Ananas Anam

  – Charlie Ross – Director and Founder of Offset

  – Andra Sandru, founder of ASx2 Acurrator Agency

  Through the lively discussion, hosted by Aaron Jones, many points were raised. Interestingly different members of the panel had different perspectives because of their specialisms. On difficult questions such as “What is the most sustainable Fabric?”

  Utami Giles – Was asked what she though was the most sustainable fabric. She referenced her own experience of visiting a small village where. Their Hair fibres were brushed from an animal, spun and woven all within the same vicinity. Utami emphasised the benefits of slow and regional processing. Not to mention this shawl is something she now treasures dearly.
  Charlie Ross – Was asked about what consumers can do! She responded with an anecdote about her realisation that often if she was buying in to fast fashion, someone else was getting exploited. She was not prepared to do this and therefore stopped buying clothes with fabrics that exploited people. Charlie would encourage anyone to be disciplined about this.

  Andra Sandru – When talking about ethical manufacturing, enlightened the group on how to persuade Buyers to buy in to more ethical manufacture. She was commissioned for a large quantity of T-shirts. The Buyer wanted Non-Organic Cotton. Andra was knowledgeable enough to emphasise the properties, lower environmental impact, and small mark-up that can be compensated by the consumer appreciation of organic garments. She therefore persuaded the buyer to spend marginally more. I think Andra is a shining example of a young fashion designer who has the knowledge to tackle and argue against profiteering.

   

  

   

  Dr Carmen Hijosa – Spoke about supply chain transparency and revealed that Pinatex don’t allow every designer to buy their fabrics. They take the life cycle of their product so seriously and want designers who buy it to be considerate of the environmental impacts of their production.

  I was asked about sourcing in small quantities. I believe that Offset Warehouse is great place to buy small minimums of more sustainable Textiles, some of the mills we work with including Seidentraum, Lebenskleidung also have websites where you can order by the metre. I went on to talk about how if designers have knowledge about sustainable textiles and are prepared to ask the right questions they are able to source textiles more sustainably.

  Thank you so much to See Fashion for having this panel.

  The 7th Future Fabrics Expo will take place in London on 24th – 25th January 2018, and we look forward to showcasing an exciting range of materials with a reduced environmental impact, more than ever before.

  BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW for the 7th Future Fabrics Expo held at Iris Studios, London, and receive further updates. 

  

  Alongside our showcase of innovative fabrics with a lower environmental footprint, we also feature low impact leathers and leather alternatives. Background information explaining sustainability in materials is displayed throughout the showcase.

  Our curated materials collection embodies a range of sustainable principles and new technologies, sourced from international suppliers and mills who demonstrate a commitment to lowering the environmental impact across the textile supply chain. Our aim is to support sustainable sourcing, enabling fashion brands to begin diversifying their fabrics and materials basket, in order to contribute to reducing their environmental impact. Each fabric has detailed specifications regarding its environmental impact, relevant certifications and the contact details of the supplier displayed.

  As in 2017, we will again feature seminars from key organisations and innovators, highlighting circular economy systems and transparency in the fashion supply chain. See Previous seminars HERE

  

  The presentations of the seminars from 2017 can be accessed via the edited online version of the Future Fabrics Expo here: www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com/6th-future-fabrics-expo-2017

  Since its launch in 2011, The Future Fabrics Expo, presented by The Sustainable Angle, has continued to develop as a unique sourcing platform for sustainable materials. This includes providing the fashion industry with sustainable materials knowledge, innovations and general information about sustainability in fashion, all situated within an extensive showcase of 3000 globally sourced materials from over 100 mills, all with a reduced environmental impact.

  A key aspect of the Future Fabrics Expo experience is how the tactile experience of a broad range of sustainable materials, and contextual knowledge informs creative and sustainable decision making, leaving our visitors inspired, informed and ready for change.

  There is an urgent imperative for the fashion industry to transition to an industry with a reduced environmental footprint. Therefore our emerging graduates need to be armed with knowledge about sustainability and their responsibility as future creators.

  Making this knowledge and experience of sustainable materials available to both lecturers and students, this new educational resource is an indispensable tool. It provides an educational tool kit for lecturers with which sustainable materials knowledge can be embedded into the curriculum.

  

  The kit;
  With a download including 13 modules, accompanied by swatch boxes, sustainable materials can be integrated into existing fashion education curricula, stage by stage, efficiently and at low cost.

  The downloadable teaching resource for an in-depth learning experience:
  Through guided interaction with 13 modules, students learn about sustainable materials, defined by provenance of fibre, their processing journey, and by what criteria they are more sustainable. Students are also offered a tactile experience by relating this learning to the swatches supplied in the swatch boxes accompanying each module.

  The swatches are made up of diverse types of sustainable materials which match the educational modules, and enable a tactile learning experience, reinforcing the core texts.

  Download content and swatch boxes are available at a competitive yearly subscription rate, which is supported by The Sustainable Angle’s funding through our environmental foundations and sponsors.

  The Dame Vivienne Westwood sustainable and ethical award is part of Graduate Fashion Week, London, 4 -7th June, 2017, and is given to a student for designing and creating a sustainable, ethically aware and socially responsible product with a lower environmental impact. The award is sponsored by Lenzing Group, a world market leader in the global textile and nonwovens industry producing high-quality botanic fibers.

  The awarded design must embody and communicate sustainable and ethical practices using sustainable raw materials with a lower envrionmental impact, manufacturing and production techniques.

  The judging panel of the award consists of:

  • Jennifer Thiel, Vivienne Westwood
  • Oya Barlas Bingul, Lenzing Group
  • Amanda Johnston, The Sustainable Angle
  • Tamsin Lejeune, Ethical Fashion Forum

  The award is announced on 5th June 2017 at Graduate Fashion Week. Part of the award is a cash prize as well as a visit to The Sustainable Angle studio which is a supporter of the award, as well as The Ethical Fashion Forum, promoting designers in sustainable fashion.

  The awarded garment will be shown again at the Graduate Fashion Week event in October 2017 at the Houses of Parliament.

  
  
  

  The Sustainable Angle travelled to Copenhagen showing a selection of fashion materials from the Future Fabrics Expo in the Solutions Lab of the Copenhagen Fashion Summit. At the summit many cited Orange Fibre, which was showcased on our stand, as a great innovation.  We also displayed many Cradle to Cradle certified materials which tied in nicely with the keynote speech of the Cradle to Cradle founder William McDonough.

  

  It was an impressive line up of speakers, thought leaders, pioneers and visionaries from the fashion industry and beyond, presenting their ideas and insights as to how to reduce the fashion industry’s heavy environmental footprint and making it a more responsible and fairer industry by embracing a circular approach.

  There was great interest in seeing the materials at our Future Fabrics Expo pop up at the summit. It felt right to have the actual materials on display of which so much was talked about during the summit. It is one thing to talk on stage about ideas and new paradigms, but another to actually design and make products that are responsibly produced and processed and with raw materials that are no longer polluting. See them listed further below and the video as well as their materials on www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com

  A significant outcome of the 2017 Copenhagen Fashion Summit was the launch of the Call to Action for a Circular Fashion System, which was signed by some of the world’s leading and biggest companies. Signatories of the Call to Action commit to defining a circular strategy, to setting targets for 2020 and to reporting on the progress of implementing the commitment.

  

  Of great interest is the report written by the Global Fashion Agenda, organizer of the summit, together with The Boston Consulting group: Pulse of the fashion industry which sets out ‘a vision of a better fashion industry’.

  In summary, what needs to happen next is investing in designs and strategies to extend the life span of clothing, minimize the environmental footprint of production at the design stage by taking into account the end of life of a product at the outset, (eg for it not to end in landfill but rather become the material for the next product without losing value). Investment needs to go into innovations for materials that are clean, renewable, non-toxic, not to the detriment of human’s health nor the planet’s. Quite simply, in the words of Ellen MacArthur, we need to move away from the linear system based on using finite resources creating waste and therefore losing value. What is needed is a system change, to move away from a linear system to a circular  system that is restorative and regenerative.

  

  Ananas Anam, innovators of Piñatex™ , is a natural, innovative and patent pending new material, made from pineapple leaf fibres as a by-product of the pineapple harvest. No extra land, water, fertiliser or pesticides are required

  

  Avery Dennison works with brands and retailers worldwide to design and innovate sustainable branding and technology solutions for the apparel and footwear market.

  

  Beyond Surface Technologies AG is a Swiss company creating green chemistry for the finishing process of textiles achieving lower potential hazards and a smaller carbon footprint overall.

  

  Cradle to Cradle Innovation institute, uses the Cradle to Cradle framework to foster a new generation of sustainable products including fabrics, trims and elastics

  

  Doppelhaus produces sustainable non-woven wool fabrics with a lower environmental impact utilising innovative felting technology and 100% British wool saving water and energy, reducing waste and costs.

  

  Nova Kaeru is an exotic bio leathers pioneer in organic tanning and seamless panelling technology for fish, ostrich leg and caiman fish leathers from food waste mainly in Brazil incorporating sustainability, technology and innovation at its core.

  

  Orange fibre is the Italian innovator who developed the patented process to create sustainable textiles from citrus juice by-products otherwise a discarded resource.

  The Sustainable Angle is a not for profit organisation with the aim of connecting sustainable innovators producing materials with a lower environmental impact to the fashion industry. Since 2011, our showcase, Future Fabrics Expo, has welcomed thousands of visitors who experienced nearly 3000 materials from over 100 suppliers that embody a range of sustainable principles and new technologies, sourced from international suppliers and mills who demonstrate a commitment to lowering the environmental impact across the textile supply chain. It includes more sustainable alternatives helping fashion brands to diversify their fabric base and so lowering their environmental footprint. The expo can be booked for workshops as part of our advisory services email info@thesustainableangle.org for more info.

  

  Our pop up in the ‘Solutions Lab’ at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit highlights a selection of exhibitors from our Future Fabrics Expo including:

  

  Ananas Anam, innovators of Piñatex™ , is a natural, innovative and patent pending new material, made from pineapple leaf fibres as a by-product of the pineapple harvest. No extra land, water, fertiliser or pesticides are required

  

  Avery Dennison works with brands and retailers worldwide to design and innovate sustainable branding and technology solutions for the apparel and footwear market.

  

  Beyond Surface Technologies AG is a Swiss company creating green chemistry for the finishing process of textiles achieving lower potential hazards and a smaller carbon footprint overall.

  

  Cradle to Cradle Innovation institute, uses the Cradle to Cradle framework to foster a new generation of sustainable products including fabrics, trims and elastics

  

  Doppelhaus produces sustainable non-woven wool fabrics with a lower environmental impact utilising innovative felting technology and 100% British wool saving water and energy, reducing waste and costs.

   

  Nova Kaeru is an exotic bio leathers pioneer in organic tanning and seamless panelling technology for fish, ostrich leg and caiman fish leathers from food waste mainly in Brazil incorporating sustainability, technology and innovation at its core.

  

  Orange fibre is the Italian innovator who developed the patented process to create sustainable textiles from citrus juice by-products otherwise a discarded resource.

  For more info and to see the video of highlights from the Expo at Copenhagen visit: www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com

  

  On March 10th, 2017 The Sustainable Angle founder Nina Marenzi was invited to be a part of The CSR and Ethical Business Society, London School of Economics, roundtable on “Fashion the Future: Towards Sustainability in the Fashion Industry” as part of their project week on sustainability.

  The clothing industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, after the oil industry. Textile waste is increasingly a serious environmental threat. In recent years, the acceleration in speed of the fashion supply chain and changing consumer attitudes towards fashion as a disposable commodity has contributed to the large levels of textile waste generated worldwide. In the UK, an estimated 0.8 to 1 million tonnes of all textiles are sent to landfill each year, and used clothing accounts for approximately 350,000 tonnes of landfilled textiles, an estimated £140 million worth.

  The CSR and Ethical Business Society at the LSE aims to raise awareness and draw interest of LSE students on the environmental issues posed by fashion industry, the fast-fashion paradigm and the role of consumers; and current initiatives addressing these issues across the clothes lifecycle.

  Panellists made up of David Logan, Nina Marenzi, Christina Dean, Caroline Haycock and Jade Galston, each presented on the issues, solutions and future plans from their point of view within their field of expertise:

  The roundtable featured the following panellists:

  • The Chair: David Logan

  Co-founder of sustainability consultancy Corporate Citizenship and former Director of Special Programs at Levi Strauss & Co has worked extensively on corporate social responsibility issues across the world.

  • Sourcing: Nina Marenzi

  Founder and Director of The Sustainable Angle set up in 2010. The Sustainable Angle is a not for profit organisation that initiates and supports projects which contribute to minimising the environmental impact of industry and society, and that help make it easier for companies, institutions and individuals, to make better informed decisions when it comes to sustainability.

  • Design: Christina Dean

  Christina Dean is a sustainable fashion advocate who founded Redress and the EcoChic Design Award. She has recently co-authored the consumer guide entitled ‘Dress [with] Sense’. Redress’s Frontline Fashion’, the documentary about how designers are changing the future of fashion has just been released and is available on itunes.

  Christina Dean proclaimed that educating designers on sustainability is an act of environmental activism. Redress is helping teachers to learn about ideas on how to cut waste out of fashion, and generally about zero waste design and up-cycling.

  • Retail: Caroline Haycock, Director of ethical trade & corporate responsibility, Debenhams

  Caroline Haycock has been working in Ethical responsibility and Quality assurance for more than 10 years she is now the Director of Ethical trade and corporate responsibility at Debenhams, Caroline has also worked on campaigns such as ‘Made by Great Britons’ campaign in an effort to help bolster domestic textile production and revitalise the UK clothing industry.

  During the talk Caroline referred to the work Debenhams is already undertaking with TRAID, a charity working to stop textiles and footwear from being thrown away to landfill reducing waste and carbon emissions, while raising funds to fight poverty. As well as the informative website on CSR and sustainability they have which you can see here: http://sustainability.debenhamsplc.com. Debenhams’ environmental responsiblitlies focus on carbon, energy and waste, reducing their impact through improved awareness of environmental problems, efficiency and sustainable investment.

  • Recycling and reusing: Jade Galston from Fertha second hand clothing online

  Jade Galston founder of Fertha which gives a curated range of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories that has been hand picked from one of their charity partners, creating a sustainable and convenient shopping experience, and extra revenues for the charities they  work with.

  

  The roundtable was a great success with good questions from the audience demonstrating how many young people and students are interested in sustainability in the fashion industry, are questioning the status quo and are ready to take action. You can find out more about the work of The CSR and Ethical Business Society at LSE HERE. 

  The Eco Chic Design award has just been launched again and the deadline for application is 3rd April more information is available on their site HERE.

  

   

  Last week The Sustainable Angle’s curator Amanda Johnston was invited by the London College of Fashion’s Cordwainers Accessory and Footwear to hold an interactive sustainable materials and sourcing workshop for students and staff. 

  The workshop started with a presentation discussing the fashion and textile industry’s devastating ecological footprint and social impacts, and how the materials industry is second only to oil in environmental impacts, as well as the number two polluter of clean water in the world. It was stressed that the industry’s over dependency a narrow range of material sources creates risk to the environment and supply chains, and looked at the lead taken by Kering in how we will need to think in a different way to be able to meet the global demand for our materials and textile fibres in the future. The workshop aimed to provide essential information around textile and leather production impacts, and focused on promoting the idea of ‘creative responsibility’, and urging designers to make more mindful materials choices, and to participate in the creation of socially and environmentally responsible supply chains. Some of the industry’s most urgent issues and obstacles were highlighted, discussing the need for creators of the future to be conversant with the impacts of the whole life-cycle of a product, in relation to principles of the circular economy. The students were then invited to become familiar with a range of ‘Skin’ type materials, and to study their sustainability criteria.

  The material selection included organic leather which have been vegetable and rhubarb tanned with sophisticated colour palettes from Dani and Deep Mello. There was great interest in the fashion led colours, prints and metallised effects presented by Atlantic Leather, an Icelandic tannery leading in manufacturing exotic leather from fish-skin which are waste products from the food industry, no fish used are endangered species. The fish-leather is produced from four different species of fish; Salmon, perch, wolffish and cod – each with its own unique characteristics –  in a diverse range of colours, textures and finishes, all tested by the European Chemical Agency. The ‘wow’ factor of Nova Kearu’s post consumer food waste skins from the giant Brazilian fish ‘Pirarucu’ and ostrich leg leather created great interest. Nova Kearu has developed its own organic, chrome free tanning technology , based on a blend of biodegradable acrylic resins, polymers,  synthetic & vegetable tannins which make a superior quality leathers free of heavy metals and environmentally safe.  Skins tanned by Nova Kearu are sub-products of the food industry coming from sustainable management farms controlled and regulated by IBAMA which is the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources.

  LCF Phd Flavia Amadeu creates rubber materials, and supports small producers and artisans from Amazon rainforest, whose economic activities are integrated with the use of sustainable natural resources. The coloured rubber represents a process of social innovation, which resulted from years of research, and has been responsible for generating social transformation and environmental preservation. 

  Other materials featured tactile cork based onto a sustainable Lyocell backing, non toxic paper laminated on to sturdy denim and canvas by Paper Number 9,  Waterproof and durable Pinatex pineapple leaf fibre, featuring new mirrored metallic coatings, BarkTex tree bark fibre, suede-like mushroom ‘leather’ Muskin, Japanese faux leathers from Ultra Fabrics, and brand new food waste technology Frumat faux leathers, utilising apple pectin.

  Thank you to LCC photography student Hazif Zainol.

  TSA 2nd annual lecture 24th January 2017

  The Sustainable Angle recently hosted its second annual lecture as part of our work focusing on the edible environment, with an aim to strengthening our connection with where our food comes from and fostering a better understanding of sustainable food and agriculture systems.

  The specific aim of this year’s lecture was to show that the drive towards sustainability, not just in terms of food, but in fashion as well, is a force for good. It is an opportunity to engage with our broader surroundings and is the forerunner of greater diversity and choice – not less. It is not so much about pointing a finger at all that has gone wrong in the food and clothing industry; but rather a discussion and demonstration of how we can change our ways for the better, how we can better protect and nurture life. While fashion shapes and reflects society and communities, their culture and diversity, it is both personal and ubiquitous. It is an everyday phenomenon, as stated by the Centre for Sustainable Fashion. But we need to question current patterns of excessive consumption and disconnection and reinforce fashion’s ability to connect, delight and identify individual and collective values. The same is equally, if not more, true of food. It too has the power to define us personally and culturally. It too is an everyday phenomenon. But not just a phenomenon; it is a necessity. We must eat. The challenge, then comes with how we interact with our food culture. For inevitably the way in which interact, the choices we make about what we consume, how much we consume, how it is packaged, where it is sourced, how it is grown… will either inherently harm or nurture the soils that we depend upon for life.

  

  The morning’s lecture proved to be both entertaining and informative as Tracy Worcester shared her passion for the welfare of pigs and encouraged us to eschew all industrially raised pork (and any other industrially raised animal) and to consume only organic pork as it is the only pork not systematically treated with antibiotics and where the animals in question are allowed to behave as instinct would dictate, rather than penned up without access to earth in which to root and nest. When animals are kept in unnatural conditions, crowded and weaned too early, sickness becomes the norm and antibiotics used as routine. Read more about it here.

  By avoiding meat produced in this manner and instead seeking out that meat which comes from smaller mixed farms where animals are allowed to freely graze, nurture their young and feel the sun on their backs, we are supporting a healthier environment. We are providing more jobs for those who work on the farm.

  But it is not only the overuse of antibiotics that we need to concern ourselves with, but also the overuse of pesticides and fertilisers used to grow our crops. Peter Melchett policy director for the Soil Association explained the devastating impact of these chemicals on the health of our soils and the quality of our water. Not to mention the wildlife, the birds and insects we depend upon for seed distribution and pollination.

  As a prime example, he highlighted the vast difference between organic and non-organic cotton. If we need to buy something made of cotton, he encouraged us to to seek out and support those products that use 100% organic cotton.

  Yet, when we shift our focus from food to fashion – the actual sourcing of our clothing and the textiles they are made of – we recognise the importance of provenance, but surprisingly for many, it is how we wash and dry our clothes that actually has the biggest environmental impact across a garment’s life Kate Fletcher, sustainable fashion pioneer thus challenged us all to first rethink our current wardrobes and to simply consume less, wash less, wear more wool!. She added that we should only buy “what we love” as that garment will have a long and useful life.

  For those of you who wish to implement change on a very practical level, we suggest the following:

  For Food:

  One way is by supporting organisations that seek to create a more sustainable culture. Thus we would encourage you all to join the Soil Association.

  Sign up to an organic vegetable delivery box scheme such as Riverford.

  Become a regular at your local London Farmers’ Market.

  When it comes to eating out. Make an effort to ask about where the food comes from. You can also consult the Soil Associations Restaurant league table here.

  Seek out those restaurants serving local, seasonal, organic fare.

  Eat less meat. Eat organic meat. Or eat no meat.

  For Fashion:

  There is not a black and white answer as to what is a better fibre. It is a very complex question that involves many different points in a long and complex supply chain of fashion and textiles. But when Kate was pushed to answer, she went for wool.

  Most importantly when caring for those garments that we wear with such love, wash only what is needed and stained. And at lower temperatures.

  Don’t tumble dry if possible. Use line drying instead!

  Avoid putting harsh chemicals down the drain that contaminate our water, use an ecofriendly brand like Ecover instead.

  To find out more about fashion and fibres, visit the resource pages of The Sustainable Angle. To find fabrics with a lower environmental impact find a selection of what is shown in the annual showcase of The Sustainable Angle’s Future Fabrics Expo on http://www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com

  At the Sustainable Angle we spend much of our time researching and sourcing innovative textiles and materials with a lower environmental footprint and reducing the fashion industry’s over-dependency on conventional cotton and polyester. These materials are showcased in the annual Future Fabrics Expo as well as in workshops and Pop ups throughout the year, and a curated selection on www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com. This year we are delighted to have FLAVIA AMADEU’s rubber from the Brazilian Rainforest included in the 6th Future Fabrics Expo 25 – 26th January 2017. You can book Tickets here: http://bit.ly/2bnxkLW

  FLAVIA AMADEU supports small producers and artisans from Amazon rainforest, whose economic activities are integrated with the use of sustainable natural resources. The coloured rubber represents a process of social innovation, which resulted from years of research, and has been responsible for generating social transformation and environmental preservation. The Sustainable Angle asked Flavia Amadeu to tell us a little bit more about her work, and what the future holds.    

  TSA – Can you provide a brief outline about what FLAVIA AMADEU is and how it has evolved since its inception?

  F – FLAVIA AMADEU is a design brand that supports small producers and artisans whose economic activities are integrated with the use of sustainable natural resources in the Amazon Rainforest. The company is specialised in the design and production of coloured wild rubber and an Amazonian rubberised textile. The company has evolved through years of research, building strong and trusting relationships with a key network including local producers, artisans and many partners from the public and private sectors, both inside and outside of the rainforest.

  TSA – What first inspired you to start FLAVIA AMADEU? Was it a desire to improve sustainability in the fashion / textiles industries or something else?

  F – Firstly, it started as a desire of promoting social change within my work alongside an early connection with the Amazon rainforest. These values merged during my research with the coloured rubber that began in 2004, in partnership with the Chemistry Laboratory LATEQ, University of Brasilia. This meeting soon became my life mission.

  TSA – Can you tell us about any positive environmental / social impacts you have seen or expect to see as a result of FLAVIA AMADEU?

  F – I have been working directly with local communities since 2011. Today, my suppliers are small producers who I taught rubber production methods to. It is great to see continuation and progression of the production chain, also enabling the inclusion of women in income generation. 2016 was the biggest year for social impact to date, generating positive achievements. Since my return to Brazil in December 2015, I have worked with more than 120 small producers and artisans; regularly working with 3 communities in the rainforest. In the State of Acre, Brazil, my work engages a local cooperative aside a vast network of people supporting my work including beneficiaries. Another great achievement is the involvement of women in the production chain of wild rubber, who have made up about 65% of the artisans and producers I have worked with.

  I am so lucky to have seen such positive impacts spark from my work. When I first began working with communities in the rainforest, children who observed the process are now young adults whose lives have developed through interaction with this rubber production. I have seen women gaining more confidence involved in the production chain showing great enthusiasm about the rubber handcrafts that I introduced to them and even teaching others.

  One of the key people I have worked with and spend time with is artisan and rubber tapper José de Araújo, who has become a recognised artisan in rubber handcrafts. He and his family managed to leave a state of poverty to buy land in the rainforest to protect, because of the development of his handmade unique and beautiful shoes. His wife Delcilene Araújo is an example of women empowerment. Nowadays she takes care of the stock, logistics, team work and became also a skilled artisan.

  I hope FLAVIA AMADEU proceeds to benefit countless more producers and artisans. I aim for our projects to stimulate empowerment of women and promote more social and economic opportunities, also integrating supply chains in the Amazon rainforest.

  TSA – At the moment FLAVIA AMADEU is a new and small-scale company creating innovations like natural rubber from the Amazon. How do you expect it to scale up and be used by the industry in the future – do you think it could eventually be a mainstream commercially used material, and would you want it to be?

  F – The aim is definitely to expand, that FLAVIA AMADEU becomes an important reference in sustainable design. In order to scale up, we have been working to multiply the social innovation of the rubber among more producers. I am always looking for project and investment opportunities, which can add social and environmental values to the production chain. Overall, I would like the production to grow in a profitable, but balanced and sustainable way.

  TSA – The fashion and textiles industries are some of the worst offenders out there for negative environmental and social impact. What do you think are the most pressing environmental and social challenges that we are facing in the industry?

  F – The most pressing issue in my opinion is the human cost disregarded by the fashion and textile industry, which, of course, directly and indirectly relates to the natural environment. In order to put all costs down, life is neglected at all levels. Producers are primarily affected, still working in the most damaging and exploitative conditions in the 21th century! The Bangladesh tragedy put that in our faces and there is plenty more issues we are not being exposed to, for example, lives affected by pesticides, pollution of rivers coming from the washing of textiles and so many more. The drastic impacts drops upon the entire production chain, including the natural environment and final consumers.

  TSA – What do you think is the biggest obstacle to becoming a more sustainable and less harmful industry?

  F – I believe the biggest challenge is to change mind-sets. This means transformations across the production chains, from company policies to consumers.

  The shift towards ecological products and manufacturing methods has begun, people are beginning to become more knowledgeable about the impact their purchases have and are keen to learn the story behind the work, but there is still a long way to go.

  TSA – What are your plans moving forward?

  F – My future plans include the ability to increase the social innovation of rubber among multiple more communities in the rainforest and to be able to empower women and attract young adults in sustainable work with this material. Additionally, I aim to expand the production and distribute Organic Jewellery globally, simultaneously designing more collections and products. Currently, I am applying for funding and seeking investors who are keen in supporting my business, helping it expand.

  TSA – How can industry professionals and consumers get involved and engage with the work you are doing?

  F – Information about the company values, artisans and sales of my products are available at www.flaviaamadeu.com.

  Follow us: @Sustainable_Ang @TheSustainableAngle #futurefabricsexpo

  

   

  

  The Sustainable Angle teamed up with our longstanding sponsor of the Future Fabrics Expo, Kassim Denim to talk about the future of denim. We have had the pleasure of showcasing the forward-thinking Pakistan based mill Kassim Denim for several years now, and are delighted to welcome them back once again as sponsors of the 6th Future Fabrics Expo 25-26th Jan’17 (Tickets available here: http://bit.ly/2dP00xN). Kassim Denim have worked with some of the world’s best known fashion brands to create top quality materials, and are constantly working on innovations to reduce the negative impact of the textiles industry.

  

  We asked Sohail Ahamed, market developer at Kassim denim to tell us more about their work and how they see the future of denim in terms of sustainability. Read the full conversation below, and discover a range of Kassim Denim fabrics with a reduced social and environmental at www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com

  TSA – Kassim Textiles have been supporters of the Future Fabrics Expo for many years, also generously sponsoring the Future Fabrics Virtual Expo, our online showcase of sustainable materials, since its inception. Can you tell us why you think it’s important for Kassim to work with organizations like The Sustainable Angle, and projects like the Future Fabrics Expo and Future Fabrics Virtual Expo?

  K – Working with TSA and The Future Fabrics Expo (FFE) has always been our affirmation in the belief that the world needs a more sustainable and eco-friendly environment. Simply put, we define sustainability as to keep doing what we have been doing while leaving behind enough resources for the coming generations to keep doing it too.Being a part of FFE we have the chance of both showing the world what we do and to also learn what others are doing in their respective fields.

  

  TSA – The Future Fabrics Expo is based in London, and you also exhibit at trade fairs elsewhere in Europe and Asia. Looking back at 2016, have you noticed a significant difference in these markets when it comes to knowledge of sustainability and demand for sustainable materials, and (how) does this influence Kassim’s development of more sustainable materials?

  K – Over the past year’s brands, buyers, and the end consumer have become more conscious and aware of the declining environment and the impacts it is having on mother nature and the earth.

  This gives Kassim the added impetus to drive our sustainable production further in line with our corporate statement “Kassim Denim has always strived to be eco-friendly producing sustainable denim fabrics, and our “Green Kassim” is based on these principles and includes a dedication to protecting the health and safety of our employees and others, and using resources more efficiently. Our sustainability vision focuses on three major areas: manufacturing excellence, product sustainability and corporate citizenship. KASSIM is committed to conducting all affairs lawfully and with integrity and to ensuring excellence in environmental, safety, and all other areas of compliance.

  TSA – Kassim Textiles produces a vast amount of denim for the global market. Can you tell us about the most innovative types of raw materials you produce that have a reduced environmental impact, and are there any processes you are working with that you think could be good alternatives for the future?

  K – For us at Kassim it’s important that we develop our processes to be as efficient as possible throughout the whole supply chain. For us sustainability is to always have future generations in mind, and reduce our environmental impact so that we leave enough resources behind for future generations to come. “Sustainable, environmentally responsible, green management” are the key factors to Kassim Denim’s endeavors to produce the best denim fabrics possible, whilst maintaining the true essentials of being environmentally friendly, to match up with the drive of consumers to buy sustainable products.

  Each of these three perspectives are integral parts of our commitment for integration of an environmental and social lens into core operational and financial management – from material sourcing through product design, manufacturing, distribution, delivery and end-of-life management.

  

  TSA – The textile industry is the second most polluting industry in the world. What do you think are the most pressing environmental and social challenges in the fashion and textile industry? What needs to be done so the textile industry increases the use of materials with a lower environmental impact?

  K – It’s true that the Textile Industry is the second most polluting industry, and the most pressing challenges for the textile industry is how to lower the use of water, keep a check and balance on the carbon foot print, and most of all making products from bio-degradable materials and in turn producing products that can be easily recycled,

  TSA – What are Kassim denim’s plans moving forward?

  K – Moving forward Kassim denim and in line with our “Green Denim” concept, we are stressing on the use of more compliant chemicals, and including fibers that are proven sustainable.

  Kassim Denim offers a broad selection of fabrics with an reduced environmental impact in fibre type ranging from organic cotton, linen, Tencel®, to recycled polyester etc. to discover more about Kassim Denim,  visit The Future Fabrics Expo (25-26th Jan) 2017 or online at www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com

  Follow us: @Sustainable_Ang @TheSustainableAngle #futurefabricsexpo

   

   

   

   

   

   

  We are delighted to introduce seminars at the 6^th Future Fabrics Expo in London, 25-26 Jan’17 10am-5pm., a showcase of 1500+ materials with a lower environmental impact, accompanied by background information on sustainability in fashion.

  Speakers from The Sustainable Apparel Coalition, The Responsible Wool Standard, Textile Exchange, GOTS and DANI S.p.A. Sustainable Leathers will present 30 minute seminars over two days.

  Book tickets here

  

  The Sustainable Wool Standard is an independent, voluntary standard. On farms, the certification ensures that sheep are treated with respect to their Five Freedoms and also ensures best practices in the management and protection of the land. Through the processing stages, certification ensures that wool from certified farms is properly identified and tracked. Find out more about The Sustainable Wool standard here

  The Sustainable Apparel Coalition is the apparel, footwear and home textile industry’s foremost alliance for sustainable production. The Coalition’s main focus is on building the Higg Index, a standardized supply chain measurement tool for all industry participants to understand the environmental, social and labour impacts of making and selling their products and services. By measuring sustainability performance, the industry can address inefficiencies, resolve damaging practices, and achieve the environmental and social transparency that consumers are starting to demand. Find out more about The Sustainable Apparel Coalition here

  The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is recognised as the world’s leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibers. It defines high-level environmental criteria along the entire textiles supply chain and requires compliance with social criteria as well. Find out more about The Global Organic Textile Standard here

  Textile Exchange is a global non-profit organization that works to make the textile industry more sustainable. We work with everyone involved in making your textiles, including everything from clothes to sheets to towels and more. Together, we’re trying to help the textile world make better decisions so that we’re not only reducing harm to the environment but also bringing about positive change. We identify and share best practices regarding farming, materials and processing so we can reduce the impact on the world’s water, soil, air and human population. Read more about Textile Exchange here

  DANI S.p.A was founded as a small family run tannery in Italy. The company is located in Arzignano (Vicenza), which is the main tanning center in the world. Their leather Zero Impact is chrome free, heavy metal free and complies with the specifications ISO15987. DANI was the first it its field to obtain the “environmental footprint” ISO/TS 14067:2013, an environmental indicator that quantifies the greenhouse gas produced along the whole supply chain, from agriculture to the finished leather. DANI intends to become a point of reference in the tanning industry for the efficient use of natural resources and energy, the use of low-impact chemicals, encouraging suppliers and customers to improve environmental operational practices, starting up research and development projects, transparent communications with local communities and the daily commitment of each and every employee. Read more about DANI S.p.A.’s ‘zero impact leather’ here.

  

  If you are unable to attend the expo, please get in touch to discuss tailored workshops for your company. You can also find a curated selection  of fashion materials with a reduced environmental impact on www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com 

  Follow us: @Sustainable_Ang @TheSustainableAngle #futurefabricsexpo

  In October Amanda Johnston travelled to Amsterdam, to present and showcase a selection of fabrics from The Sustainable Angle’s collection at Modint, the Dutch trade association and consultancy for fashion, interior design, and textiles at their headquarters in Zeist.

  Amanda presented to an audience of SME’s and led an interactive seminar for Modint members about the Sustainable Angle’s material resources, and how to implement more responsible sourcing in their supply chain.

  There was particular interest in recycled textiles, hemp, banana fibre and Pinatex, along with regenerates in innovative blends. The yet to be launched Biopolyester, ‘Ecodear’ from Toray was also a big hit.  The day included presentations from Centexbel, the Belgian textiles research centre, Lenzing fibres explained their closed loop production, and Annet Feenstra from H&M spoke about their sustainable initiatives.

  Modint also facilitated networking for small and larger companies to share their experiences of using alternative materials in their collections. Modint are about to publish their own Sustainable Materials guide and Eco-tool in November 2016 to help their members calculate their company’s impacts.

  A big thanks to Modint for hosting The Sustainable Angle.

  Last week The Sustainable Angle’s Amanda Johnston was invited by GLE ONE London to hold an interactive sustainable materials and sourcing workshop. The workshop was hosted by UFKT (UK Fashion & Textile Association) at their Headquarters in Holborn. Aimed at London based designers and brands the free workshop was initiated to focus on sustainable materials and sourcing, exploring the textile value chain and market.

  

  The workshop started by discussing the textile industry’s overall ecological footprint and social impact, touching upon areas such as the textile industry being the number two polluter of clean water in the world, in times when clean water is a scarcity. We also stressed the industry’s over dependency on conventional cotton and polyester, and how we will need to think in a different way to be able to meet the global demand for textile fibres in the future. The workshop aimed to provide essential information for ensuring a socially and environmentally responsible supply chain, and tips and guidance on how to start sourcing more sustainably. We highlighted some of the industry’s most urgent issues and obstacles, and invited the audience, consisting of London based SME’s, to share their own experience, and concerns about the future of sustainability in textiles.

  The day provided the opportunity for young designers to get an overview of the current textiles landscape. Highlighting possibilities, strategies and tools for businesses to take the lead and change the way in which the textile industry operates. The workshop covered everything from certifications and tools through, evaluating and finding fabric suppliers to the latest textile innovations with a lower environmental impact. We rounded of the day by sharing some of our latest sustainable material innovations, those already available and some of which are currently in development in order to encourage future thinking when it comes to sustainable sourcing.

  

  As with all of our events there were a large selection of sustainable materials on show to illustrate the increasing range of commercially available materials on market today, as well as numerous innovations highlighted in the presentation.

  We are continuing to expand our collection of over 1,500 sustainable materials and you can discover a curated selection online and the full selection of fabrics with a lower environmental impact at the Future Fabrics Expo, London, 25-26th January 2017. REGISTER NOW!

  You can find out more about GLE workshops Here

  

  Join SUSS UK – the start-up behind this year’s Sustainable September event for a Saturday networking event dedicated to those working within the sustainable industry.  Any brand, big or small, start-up or barely begun, that’s looking to meet likeminded people, expand their contacts within the sustainable industry and form connections for future partnership and collaborations.

  This is a networking event for sustainable fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands to make connections, ask difficult questions and collectively find solutions to the environmental and economic problems facing the industry. Bring yourself, an open mind, the willingness to share ideas, advice and experiences, and a little blurb about who you are, what you do and what you’re trying to achieve.

  

  When

  Saturday 26th November – 11am to 2pm.

  Where

  Work.Life, 1E Mentmore Terrace, London Fields, London, E8 3DQ

  Register at:

  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sustainable-fashion-networking-event-tickets-28564083944

  SUSS is the brainchild of fashion designer Abigail Grainger and journalist Emma Grace Bailey. The start-up aims to proactively, through events and media engagement, create awareness of sustainability and environmental issues within the fashion and beauty industries. At the cutting edge of popular culture these industries have a responsibility to educate and inform the general public. SUSS hopes to lead the way in this regard.

  Join SUSS UK on social media

  Instagram: @isusseditout  Facebook: SUSS UK

   

  At The Sustainable Angle we spend much of our time researching and sourcing both innovative and sustainable materials to showcase in the annual Future Fabrics Expo. We show a wide range of alternatives with a lower environmental and social impact to cotton, polyester and conventional leather. These materials are also shown in other events and workshops throughout the year, and on www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com.

  Atlantic Leather is an Icelandic tannery leading in manufacturing exotic leather from fish-skin which are waste products from the food industry. No fish used are endangered species. The fish-leather is produced from four different species of fish; Salmon, perch, wolffish and cod – each with its own unique characteristics –  in a diverse range of colours, textures and finishes, all have been tested by the European Chemical Agency.  Atlantic Leather is stationed in Sauðárkrókur, a small but vibrant community of roughly 4000 inhabitants, located in the heart of Skagafjörður, Iceland. The development of the fish leather has been processed since 1994, but the idea itself is rooted in tradition.

  

  We have been lucky enough to interview Atlantic leather’s Manager Sigurlaug Vordís Eysteinsdóttir, to find out more about Atlantic Leather, and how fashion businesses and consumers cannot only use this material but visit where it is made.

  TSA: Firstly, can you tell us what sustainability means to Atlantic Leather?

  Atlantic Leather: Sustainability means the power of nature to us at Atlantic Leather. Respect nature and it’s power.

  TSA: Can you provide a brief outline about the products Atlantic Leather creates, and what makes them more sustainable than other leathers?

  Atlantic Leather: We produce Salmon, Perch, Cod and Wolffish leather from the by-product from the food industry. We also produce washable Salmon and Salmon tanned from the bark of the Mimosa tree. We turn waste products from the food industry into exotic luxury leather by using the power of nature. In Iceland we are fortunate to have plenty of hot water from geothermal sources, and our electricity comes from a hydroelectric power station. So we rely on the power of nature; exotic and eco-friendly.

   

   

  TSA: What was the inspiration behind using fish skins to create leather for the fashion industry?

  Atlantic Leather: Icelanders are known for reusing everything that others think is trash and we still have our ancestor’s spirit of finding the useful in everything. Iceland is a big fishing industry nation, our ancestors used the fish skins for their shoes, so the inspiration was, find a use for 100% of each fish Icelanders catch and Icelanders are on our way to completing that task, Atlantic Leather is a big part of that project.

  TSA: Can you tell us about any positive environmental / social impacts you have seen or expect to see as a result of Atlantic Leather?

  Atlantic Leather: Firstly, we don’t have any leather from endangered species, many designers have gone from snake skin to our Salmon skin for example. Atlantic Leather is the only tannery in Iceland and is based in the north of Iceland in a society with a population of 4000. Atlantic Leather was voted the best Tannery of the year in the European section that is a big recognition in our small country. Our leather is inspiring for people, we have so many colours and varieties of finish.

  TSA: The fashion and textiles industries are some of the worst offenders out there for negative environmental and social impact. What do you think are the most pressing environmental and social challenges that we are facing in the industry?

  Atlantic Leather: Money is the most challenging thing for tanneries. It costs a lot to be sustainable and because we are, then it makes our products expensive in the end. It is also important to stop playing hide and seek and start to open the tanneries up to customers so they can see it with their own eyes and be informed about sustainability. To be truly environmental you have to not be afraid to inform how you carry out the task, and when asked ethical questions, not being afraid of the answer.

  TSA: What do you think is the biggest obstacle to becoming a more sustainable and less harmful industry?

  

  Atlantic Leather: Again Money, For Atlantic Leather being stated in Iceland is our biggest obstacle but is also our biggest advantage

  TSA: What are your plans moving forward?

  Atlantic Leather: Just keeping up our 20-year process in our tanning product, keeping up our developments, and marketing our products more.

  TSA: How can industry professionals and consumers get involved and engage with the work you are doing?

  Atlantic Leather: Everybody is welcome to visit our tannery, they are able to order sample pack from us, we can ship all over the world, We are on social media, and visit our stand at The Future Fabric Expo☺

   

  Get wise, buy better, make a difference – Last week The Sustainable Angle joined an event held by SUSS as part of #SustainableSeptember, to raise awareness on how you as an everyday consumer could be part of creating a more ethical fashion industry. Designer Abigail Grainger and journalist Emma Grace Baily, the brains behind SUSS, created the start-up to be able to proactively, through events and media engagement, create awareness of sustainability and environmental issues within the fashion and beauty industries. At the cutting edge of popular culture, these industries have a responsibility to educate and inform the general public.

  

  SUSS invited 10 speakers from across all areas of the sustainable fashion industry to participate in two events to share their knowledge and expertise on the current status of the fashion industry, and from their perspective, what we need to know and do in order to make it more ethical. On September 22^nd the second #SustainableSeptember event was held and The Sustainable Angle’s materials curator and education consultant Amanda Johnston was invited to talk during the event. Amanda emphasised why we need to reconsider the materials we choose to design with and wear and what some of the best emerging alternatives to conventional cotton and polyester are.

  Also invited to talk at SUSS’s events were Diana Auria, founder of Auria Swimwear, the dynamic and creative brand whose ethical values have put the brand at the forefront of sustainable fashion. Amisha Ghadiali, founder of the Think Act Vote project and author of the brilliant book The Future is Beautiful, and Fashion Historian and Associate Lecturer at the London College of Arts, Amber Butchart.

  Sustainable September is a movement designed to educate and empower everyday consumers, providing the knowledge and tools to inform better purchasing decisions for a healthier planet. As a designer or other professional working within the fashion industry, you often are well-aware about the environmental and social impact the industry has and what concerted action is needed, meanwhile as a consumer it is not always as clear what that role should be. By being well-informed and equipped with certain skills, we as consumers could act proactively and demand ethical fashion.

  

  #SustainableSeptember is a month to raise awareness with the consumer market, led by SUSS. Check out hashtags from the event #isusseditout and #sustainableseptember and join @isusseditout on Instagram to get more information about future events. 

  We’re greatly looking forwards to the 6th Future Fabrics Expo, which will take place on the 25th-26th January 2017, at the beautiful Iris Studios in London.

  Since it’s inception in 2011, the Future Fabrics Expo has showcased innovative and traditional commercially viable fibres, fabrics and products that embody a range of sustainable principles and new technologies, sourced from international suppliers and mills who demonstrate a commitment to lowering environmental impact across the textile supply chain. It includes more sustainable alternatives to the widely available conventional fabrics that currently dominate the market, helping fashion companies to begin diversifying their fabric base and lowering their environmental impact at the same time.

  Click here to book tickets

  

  The 6th Future Fabrics Expo will again showcase a diverse range of around 1,500 individually sourced fabrics with a reduced environmental impact sourced from dozens of international mills and suppliers. Fabrics on show will be ideally suited for a wide range og market levels and product types, making this the largest and most diverse showcase of commercially available sustainable materials in the industry. Extensive background information on sustainability in fashion and textiles, and the latest textile and processing innovations will also be showcased.

  We invite you to come by to discover a diverse range of sustainable materials and resources, where we’ll be on hand to talk to you about sustainable sourcing and materials.

  Even if you can’t make it to the expo you can still discover hundreds of sustainable materials from the Future Fabrics Expo by visiting www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com. In addition, the whole Future Fabrics Expo can be booked by brands and organisations, to be brought to their HQ or events – please contact us for information.

  Find out more about the last expo, and see photos and videos here.

  Get a sneak preview of our sustainable materials and resources here.

  Sign up to receive the lastest news and event details here.

  Visit our website www.thesustainableangle.org

  We’ve been increasingly working with international brands and organisations to raise awareness and understanding of materials with a reduced environmental impact, so it was a perfect fit when we were invited to take part in Modint’s Sustainable Material Seminar, supported by ClickNL NextFashion.

  The workshop will allow participants hear from a range of speakers, to find out ‘What can you do to make your products more sustainable?’ and ‘What can you communicate?’ among much more. Participants will receive tools and contacts to help create more sustainable businesses.

  

  Visit the workshop to:

  • Explore what is a sustainable material & process and what are new developments (new guide published)
  • Meet fabric suppliers like Lenzing and get a sustainable supplier list
  • Learn from expert brands like H&M
  • Learn about Certifications like Oeko-tex, Step, GOTS, Global Recycle Standard, Responsible Down Standard etc. with Centexbel & Control Union

  You can register to attend here. Please note the workshop will be held in the Netherlands.

  Next month we’ll be running an interactive sustainable materials and sourcing workshop, aimed at London based designers and brands. You can find out more below and register for free by e-mailing getreadytosupply@gle.co.uk.

  

  You can find out more about GLE workshops by clicking here.

  We’re delighted to announce that we’re joining Sustainable September – a month to raise awareness within the consumer market, led by SUSS, the brainchild of fashion designer Abigail Grainger and journalist Emma Grace Bailey. The start-up aims to proactively, through events and media engagement, create awareness of sustainability and environmental issues within the fashion and beauty industries. At the cutting edge of popular culture these industries have a responsibility to educate and inform the general public.

  

  Image: SUSS UK 1st #SustainableSeptember talk 2016

  Sustainable September is the first of these initiatives. A movement designed to educate the everyday consumer, providing the knowledge and tools to inform better purchasing decisions for a healthier and happier planet. 10 speakers from across all areas of the sustainable fashion industry are talking about everything from the need for transparency through to the must have brands, where to shop, activism within fashion, the future of fabrics, the dirty side of denim and how the active industry is one step ahead in the quest to be sustainable.

  The Sustainable Angle’s materials curator and education consultant Amanda Johnston will be speaking at the 2^nd #SustainableSeptember event on 20^th September to discuss why we need to reconsider the materials we choose to design with and wear – and what some of the best emerging alternatives to conventional cotton and polyester are.

  Other speakers include the likes of Carry Somers, founder of Fashion Revolution, Tamsin Lejeune, founder of the Ethical Fashion Forum, and Amisha Ghadiali, author of The Future is Beautiful.

  

  Image: SUSS UK

  Designed to raise awareness and promote a more considerate lifestyle, SUSS UK wants to help people Get Wise, Buy Better and Make a Difference.

  Join us using the hashtags #isusseditout and #sustainableseptember to share what you’re up to reduce your environmental impact, sharing a photo of yourself with the strapline #isusseditout.

  Last week The Sustainable Angle’s founder and director Nina Marenzi took part in a panel discussion around ‘Sustainability: Supply chain problem or design opportunity?’ as part of WGSN Futures, a series of talks and discussions which ran over two days with the theme ‘The Vision 2030: how technology will drive a more sustainable and more successful creative industry.’

  

  Staged by the world’s leading trend authority, WGSN Futures 2016 brought together leaders from fashion and the creative sectors to debate and define the key trends that will shape the industry over the next 15 years. The talks explored the major trends in design, technology & communications, consumer behaviour and retail, presented by global industry thought leaders and WGSN experts.

  The flagship summit took place in London, where 300 senior-level delegates in the fields of strategy (c-suite), design, marketing, retail and digital gathered to hear WGSN’s own experts and analysts and a panel of world-class industry experts share their insights.

  

  Amy White, Christopher Raeburn, Nina Marenzi, and Orsola de Castro

  The panel discussion on sustainability took place between Nina Marenzi from The Sustainable Angle, Orsola de Castro of Fashion Revolution, designer Christopher Raeburn, and Amy White from Avery Dennison, a world leader in supply chain solutions working with some of the world’s leading emerging designers to help them introduce sustainability into the design process. Last year we announced our partnership with Avery Dennison, intended to provide leading apparel brands with innovative sustainable solutions by combining the unique capabilities and expertise of each company to drive the future use of new sustainable materials in apparel branding.

  The panel addressed the idea that for brands to start being more sustainable it’s key to begin by stating a vision of what they are trying to achieve to be more responsible, rather than immediately defining specific targets which may not be reachable. Design should take centre stage, with sustainability as a design constraint leading to more responsible decisions. Finally recognising the power of communication, Orsola voiced a wish that those brands already working with sustainability at the core of their business would be more vocal, coming forward to share what they already do to be more responsible – after all the industry is on a journey, for which transparency and collaboration is essential.

  The Sustainable Angle recently hosted the Soil Association’s 70^th anniversary lecture as part of our work related to the edible environment and more sustainably grown food. The lecture delivered by Professor Herbert Giradet resonated deeply with the Soil Association’s core principles of closing nutrient cycles, understanding and respecting our fundamental connection with, and dependence on, the natural world.

  Soil Association lecture at Iris Studios London. Source: Soil Association

  According to Giradet, “we are living in the age of ‘Petropolis’: Cities powered by fossil fuels and supplied with food from increasingly precarious sources. Land grabbing and growing crops on land unsuited to agriculture is becoming a matter of great concern. Deforestation of tropical forests for food production is causing major ecological problems. Modern farming and global urbanisation are causing climate change. Meanwhile nutrients leaching and soil erosion are undermining humanity’s capacity to feed itself in the long term.”

  Giradet believes “we need a new model of the city, ‘Ecopolis’, which goes hand in hand with a new model of organic, regenerative farming. The metabolism of cities needs to encompass the need to keep farmland healthy and naturally productive. The ‘Living Soil’ concept of the Soil Association needs to be incorporated into the give and take between cities and farmland.”

  Soil Association lecture at Iris Studios London. Source: Soil Association

  He says “the case study of Adelaide shows how this can be done:  Over a 12 year period, from 2003 to 2015, this city region of 1.2 million people re-established a close connection between itself and its local farmland – 100 per cent return of organic waste, waste water irrigation of nearby farmland and vineyards, and also rapid steps towards mainstreaming renewable energy. This model of regenerative urbanisation is of great significance to other city regions.”

  “In various parts of the world appropriate measures are being taken to counter soil erosion and degradation. In the uplands of the Yellow River in China significant measures to replant denuded land and establish organic farming systems are being taken. In London soil from the Cross Rail excavations is being used to help create a new nature reserve on the Essex coast. In Europe and the USA farmers markets, community supported agriculture and free range rearing of farm animals are making rapid strides.”

  “But there is no doubt that in the process of building an urban future, humanity is threatening its own future and that the natural world. Much more vigorous measures are needed to establish a viable relationship between an urbanising world and the farmland than feeds it, and the ecosystems that support their long-term wellbeing. We need to act as responsible citizens, parents, voters, consumers and as multipliers of opinion. And we need to support the urgent changes needed financially. This issue needs far more attention that it is currently getting.  Let us trust that we are up to the challenge to deal with it.”

  Soil Association lecture at Iris Studios London. Source: Soil Association

  The Soil Association has been campaigning on this for 70 years, and it does now feel that the doors are opening a little, for the solutions we have to offer. At the recent Westminster Neonicotinoid Scientific Briefing, with a broad cross section of interests groups represented; it was hard for anyone, even the agrochemical companies, to make the case for continued routine use of these or other pesticides. This gives us an unprecedented chance to show what organic and ecological approaches can do to ensure that these chemicals are just not needed anymore.

  written by Charlotte Turner

  On 12^th May 2016, over 1200 people from 52 countries gathered at the fourth edition of the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, in a city with the ambition to become “the first carbon-neutral capital in the world” according to the summit’s patron, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. Denmark has one of the most impressive track records when it comes to environmental and social wellbeing, so it’s fitting that it acted as an important example of how we can shape our communities and industries, respecting the environment, workers and citizens. The event was preceded by a week of roundtables, discussions and conferences by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), the Youth Fashion Summit, and Planet Textiles, making Copenhagen a hub of discussion and change.

  The summit, organized by the Danish Fashion Institute on behalf of the Nordic Fashion Association, focused on ‘responsible innovation’, moving us to think more deeply about the true meaning of the word sustainability, which is at risk of becoming undervalued or even dismissed through over use. This year illustrated that collaboration, education, and innovation will be absolutely essential to create a better future, moving us closer to reaching the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals agreed as part of COP21 in Paris last year, halting the breakneck speed of climate change and moving us closer to social equality. The Youth Fashion Summit, a gathering of over 100 students from 40 nations illustrated this clearly (and incredibly professionally) through their demands to the global fashion industry to act now, using the Sustainable Development Goals as a starting point – no small task. As Dilys Williams, Youth Summit facilitator and mentor said, “This is the first generation of people who really understand climate change, and the last ones who can really do anything about it.” It was therefore reassuring to see such a strongly united group of students, although there’s still a lot to do to get this generation as a whole on the same page.

  

  Image source: Copenhagen Fashion Summit

  Overall, this years summit seemed more hopeful than previous editions, through the vulnerability and willingness to collaborate shown by the brands and organisations who presented during the day. Rather than simply declaring victories and achievements, we saw the recognition that whilst important steps have been and are being made, there is still much to be done and challenges to overcome, for which collaboration and openness is essential. Summit host Amber Valetta stressed that “economic growth and sustainable development are not mutually exclusive,” and it’s hoped this will prove true to the brands which hold growth for investors as a key driver.

  The Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kristian Jensen, expressed his view that “politically, we must push for common global frameworks… as through unifying efforts and defining a common agenda, a level playing field [will be] established.” This is an important issue that we’ve seen emerge through the growing myriad of complex legislation and certifications emanating from different political, commercial, and social arenas. It’s also an incredibly complex issue which will only be remedied through ambitious collaboration, which we recently witnessed slowly budding at the UN COP21 talks. At the end of the day, Jensen’s statement that “responsible management and traceable supply chains create a more robust business” was a key and immediate point that was picked up on by brands in attendance and at the podium. The 2015 Nordic Fashion Action plan was cited as an exemplar of how we can take a business driven approach to cleaning up the industry, rewarding sustainable development, and creating competitive advantages for responsible businesses.

  European commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska also made some strong points when she discussed some of the challenges we’re facing, that “too many people don’t want to see the negative side of the industry,” and that there is much to do when it comes to educating the industry and consumers, and providing transparent information so they can make informed decisions. She said that we must act on three levels – consumers, authorities, and industry, and that we must do it in “a coordinated and complimentary way”. Currently, the European Commission is aiming to adopt a circular economy model, therefore pushing the importance of developing high quality recycling systems for textiles, and the EU Garment Initiative will look into transparency, traceability, and supply chains.

  A further series of speeches was delivered by leaders in the industry including Rick Ridgeway from Patagonia, Nike’s Chief Sustainability Officer Hannah Jones, Eco-Age founder Livia Firth, Vanessa Friedman of the New York Times, and H&M’s Head of Sustainability Anna Gedda. The day also included debates and discussions looking at the power of the media, the future of fashion, and philanthropy in the fashion industry among other topics.

  We heard diverse examples of approaches to sustainability, from Patagonia’s mission statement to make the best product possible, causing no unnecessary harm – importantly recognizing that the creation of new products will always create harm, but that it’s our responsibility to limit this as much as we possibly can, to the idea that “durable design is the most important factor in decreasing the impact of a product”, as environmental impact of products can be seen to decrease as their useable lifetime increases.

  

  Hannah Jones, Nike. Image source: Copenhagen Fashion Summit

  Hannah Jones from Nike shared a range of interesting ideas, starting with the view that “there is nothing with more potential than sustainable innovation,” with the Paris agreements moving us from ‘if’ to ‘how’. She went on to say that “we must redesign our industry to reach that 2 degree goal,” for which “incrementalism and efficiency measures will not get us there; less bad is not good enough. Innovation and collaboration are needed on an unprecedented scale.” She went on to ask “instead of making today less bad, how do we design the future we want? What if we could unlock innovation for the planet and the business as a result of this work?” These were important points to raise, but one question that did sit a bit uneasily was “can we double our business while halving our impact?” She asked how can we reconcile consumption with a 2 degree world, but surely we must agree that reducing consumption and moving away from a growth focused business model is going to be essential to get us there? She shared a several more interesting points, from the need to forget the linear and move towards a circular economy model, to the need to rethink the role of designers, methods of make, and materials, and that “for sustainability to be transformative, it must be built in to what we create and how we design from the very beginning.” Nike are developing a new palette of low impact and regenerating materials, in a bid to move away from materials’ current dependency on land, water, and oil, and their work with the Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s Higg Index acts as an important exemplar to the industry on how we can assess and minimise the impact of materials. Regarding performance of materials and manufacturing, and especially human impact, she stated that “together, we have to turn compliance in to a licence to operate, this has to become the norm not the exception.”

  Another brand leading the industry in both sales and sustainability communication is H&M, represented at the summit by Head of Sustainability, Anna Gedda. Gedda shared H&M’s goal to become 100% circular – though exactly how and when this will be achieved remains unclear. H&M, along with Kering, have co-funded Worn Again to develop a recycling technology which would enable entire garments made of mixed fibres and components to be chemically recycled and turned into new fabrics, which H&M hopes will become the norm in its collections – this is an exciting development we have our eye on, but again knowing how and when it could be integrated in to the fashion system as a whole is as yet unknown. This system could go some way to answer Gedda’s question regarding 2050’s expected global population of 9 billion people – “will there be enough water, land, and resources to create clothes for these people? They’ll want to express themselves through fashion too, will they just not be allowed to?” It could certainly help with raw material constraints, however, it still doesn’t move us away from a fast fashion system of exponential consumption of products, which needs to be urgently addressed.

  

  The Future of Fashion panel. Image source: Copenhagen Fashion Summit

  From Imran Ahmed of The Business of Fashion we heard that he sees conversations around sustainability taking place between businesses and consumers, but “what’s missing is a real understating of the gravity of the situation. The change that we all need to happen won’t happen until the consumer, and companies, and government really understand the gravity of situation.” The conversation is happening, but it’s just not urgent enough. Vogue Australia’s Editor-in-Chief Edwina McCann shared her view that “value needs to be redefined – we have a disposable sales culture. Value needs to be about great design, who made this, how does it make you feel?” With a reassessment on how we value products, and a clearer understanding of the impact of our choices, consumption could move to a far more responsible and considered place. To assist this understanding, companies like Selfridges are demanding transparency from their brands, requiring brands to sign up to the supply chain traceability platform Sedex, not to directly tell customers what they think, but to “open up the debate.”

  A speech which really hit home was given by Livia Firth quite early in the day, who passionately called out fast fashion for its role in fueling the flames of inequality and environmental degradation. She said that ideally two years on from Rana Plaza we would be looking at a reformed industry, and that we cannot and must not draw a veil over the catastrophe, “especially when brands export exactly the same production model to different developing countries. That cannot be the sum-total of our ambition. That was not the intention.” Three years after signing the Bangladesh Accord, some signatories still have not acted on their pledges, and according to Firth, “the current model will not get us to the point we want to get to – where producers are in partnership with brands, not in servitude to them.” This was echoed by Linda Greer from the National Resources Defense Council when she said that developing countries have no capacity to deal with the issues such as carbon emissions caused by global brands setting up manufacturing hubs. The government of Vietnam itself admitted that 90% of its industrial parks don’t treat waste water. The speed at which the industry is jumping between ill-equipped developing countries has put us in “a race to the bottom through globalization.” This will hopefully be a wake-up call to all those companies who may or may not be making strides in terms of sustainability improvements, but are still centrally focused on the bottom line.

  Last week we held a Future Fabrics Expo open day at the beautiful Iris Studios, to show our collection of almost 1,500 sustainable materials, displayed with company contact details, general specifications, and sustainability background information. It gave visitors a chance to come by to discover a diverse range of sustainable materials and resources, with The Sustainable Angle team on hand to answer questions and find out about what people are looking for. To keep up to date about any future open days, events and workshops, you can sign up to our newsletter here and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

  Even if you didn’t make it to the open day or expo you can still discover hundreds of sustainable materials from the Future Fabrics Expo by visiting www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com. In addition, the Future Fabrics Expo can be booked by brands and organisations, to be brought to their HQ or events, and bespoke consultation is also available – please contact us for information.

  

  The Future Fabrics Expo showcases innovative and traditional commercially viable fibres, fabrics and products that embody a range of sustainable principles and new technologies, sourced from international suppliers and mills who demonstrate a commitment to lowering environmental impact across the textile supply chain. It includes more sustainable alternatives to the widely available conventional fabrics that currently dominate the market, helping fashion companies to begin diversifying their fabric base and lowering their environmental impact at the same time.

  A few weeks ago The Sustainable Angle took part in the first “Threads: Rethinking Fashion” event hosted by Impact Hub Kings Cross and Ashoka Changemakers. The talks were designed as an exploratory series to support innovations for a fair and sustainable supply chain, covering a range of topics throughout the series.

  

  Coinciding with London Fashion Week, the first in the series “From fibre to fabrics: Sustainable sourcing practices to procure raw materials” explored current sustainable practices, showcasing live case studies and Q&As. The featured speakers were TSA’s researcher and project manager Charlotte Turner, and Christopher Stopes of Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

  The event gave industry professionals, students, and those simply interested in finding out more the opportunity to learn about and discuss challenging issues and positive solutions currently facing the fashion and textiles industries, as well as discover some of the beautiful sustainable materials currently available on the international market. It was great to see the audience ranging from professionals from high-end luxury fashion brands and start-ups, to fashion students and general consumers.

  To follow up this event, one of those behind “Threads”, the new sustainable fashion and lifestyle website The Lissome, interviewed Charlotte to find out more about sustainable fashion and materials, sustainable sourcing and how we assess sustainability, plus emerging brands and tips for living more sustainably.

  

  You can read the interview in full here.

  Last week we coordinated and hosted another sustainable materials sourcing workshop ‘Essential Supply Chain Alternatives for a Responsible Business’, for the first time in collaboration with UKTI (UK Trade & Investment), with a stunning venue generously provided by UKFT (UK Fashion & Textiles Association). We were delighted to welcome delegates from many of the UKs leading medium and large size brands, from departments including design, development, sourcing and sustainability.

  

  Amanda Johnston from The Sustainable Angle presenting, photography by UKTI

  The day provided the opportunity to get an overview of the current textiles landscape, highlighting the pressing need for businesses to explore and lead on more sustainable business practices and sourcing strategies.

  Updates about COP21, The Sustainable Apparel Coalition, and other organisations, initiatives and solutions reinforced the fact that change must begin now, starting by assessing the impact current business practices are having on the environment and communities, and identifying the potential financial benefits that can be achieved through identifying, assessing, and removing / improving waste streams and polluting processes among countless other impacts in the supply chain.

  We rounded off the day by sharing some of the latest sustainable materials innovations, both already available and in development for future purchasing, to encourage future thinking when it comes to sustainable sourcing. The key idea we wish brands to consider is that introducing more sustainable materials and processes in to the supply chain doesn’t have to mean that current supply chains must be abandoned and completely rebuilt, rather that new companies and innovations can be introduced in to existing supply chains, or that existing suppliers and brands can work together to improve working practices, introduce the use of new fibres and processes, or develop entirely new sustainable materials.

  

  Amanda Johnston from The Sustainable Angle, photography by UKTI

  As with all of our events, there were also information boards and hundreds of sustainable materials on show, to illustrate the increasing range of commercially available materials on the market today – as well as numerous emerging innovations that we highlighted in our presentation. We are continuing to expand our collection of over 1,500 sustainable materials, and look forward at showcasing them at future events (find out about our most recent materials showcases at ISPO Munich and the 5th Future Fabrics Expo).

  

  Sustainable fabric browsing, photography by UKTI

  We are planning to run more workshops in the coming months which will be targeted to allow professionals from different areas of the industry and businesses to get the most beneficial experience. You can register interest in attending future workshops by emailing charlotte [at] thesustainableangle.org – please provide a bit of information about yourself and your company, and what you would be interested to find out or do at future workshops and events.

  You can also contact us and stay up to date with our news and events by signing up for our occasional newsletters on our website here.

  After a successful 5th edition of the Future Fabrics Expo in London in September 2015, The Sustainable Angle have been invited to showcase a range of forward-thinking sustainable materials for sportswear and lifestyle clothing at INSPIRE, a sustainability and innovation showcase within ISPO Munich in January 2016, organised by GreenroomVoice and Brands for Good. Future Fabrics Expo companies featured will include Elmer & Zweifel, Hans Global / Creative Tech, Ananas Anam, New Natural Textiles (Selvancolour™), and Ecological Textiles.

  

  INSPIRE has grown over the years with more and more companies participating, and for the next edition 2016, GRV is teaming up with AIR (Agence Innovation Responsable) to concentrate on the subject of Circular Economy.

  During ISPO 2016 and beyond, the idea is to gather the sports and outdoor community to inspire and represent the best sustainability achievements in the industry.

  INSPIRE will feature products, brands and suppliers who have found an innovative and forward-looking way of dealing successfully with challenges. INSPIRE will gather brands, suppliers, recyclers, manufacturers, standards and labels in an interdisciplinary approach. It further aims to attract those who are looking for answers, services and innovations.

  The concept of INSPIRE is structured around the subjects of RAW MATERIALS (material level) where the Future Fabrics Expo showcase by The Sustainable Angle will be located, INNOVATIVE “Circular” DESIGN (concepts and guidelines for a circular approach), USE & CARE (opportunities for new business models), END OF USE (concepts, infrastructure, etc).

  “We see this as a very positive development, that increasing numbers of outdoor brands are living up to their responsibility and taking a leading role in implementing best practice in this area.” – Pamela Ravasio, CSR & Sustainability Manager, EOG

  Presentations and workshops will be part of the concept. News about the program will follow shortly.

  Register to visit ISPO Munich here.

  Last week we were delighted to welcome hundreds of visitors over two days to the 5^th edition of the Future Fabrics Expo, inside Fashion SVP at London Olympia exhibition centre. The 5^th Future Fabrics Expo presented a curated showcase of globally sourced materials with reduced environmental impacts, featuring approximately 1500 qualities from over 80 mills, with sustainability information displayed for each mill and fabric.

  We additionally presented a seminar on how to source more sustainably, exploring our top tips and strategies for sustainable sourcing, key innovations we have discovered, and how different ways of measuring impacts can help you build a more sustainable supply chain.

  

  The 5th Future Fabrics Expo enabled visitors to join the dots of their supply chain, reinforced by key research and resources for sustainable textiles and fashion, including the Higg Index by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC). SAC is the apparel, footwear and home textile industry’s foremost alliance for sustainability across the entire supply chain. SAC has developed the Higg Index, a standardized supply chain measurement tool for all levels of industry. The expo also featured String3 by Historic Futures, a powerful new digital alternative to manual supply chain intelligence gathering processes, which supports the traceability of raw materials, as well as an exhibition of designs from The EcoChic Design Award, which is organised by Redress.

  

  A key focus for the 5^th Future Fabrics Expo was to showcase leading innovations from around the world, summarised by highlighting our ‘Top 5’ innovations including leather alternatives made from waste pineapple leaf fibre, South American giant mushrooms, and natural rubber from the Amazon rainforest, along with biodegradable resin buttons, and organically tanned by-product exotic fish skin and ostrich leather.

  

  Other exciting materials and processes showcased included:

  • Technical fabrics finished with waterless dyeing
  • Responsible exotic leathers tanned without heavy metals
  • Recycled polyester technical fabrics with recycled and recyclable membranes
  • Low impact British wool
  • British made hemp and organic cotton blends
  • The first developments of digital printing achieved using natural dyes

  Two of our sponsors, Kassim Textiles and Elmer & Zweifel respectively showcased the highest quality reduced impact denims made with diverse fibres including linen and Tencel^®, and responsibly made organic cotton in a range of knitted and woven qualities.

  

  For the first time we also welcomed the Taiwan Textile Federation to join the expo to showcase leading Taiwan Eco Textiles focusing on performance and technical textiles. Hundreds of innovative materials were showcased from the Taiwanese mills Everest, Minlan, Tai Yuen, Merryson, Lily Textile and Grandtek, suited to a wide range of applications from active wear to fashion. The interest generated by these mills was indicative of the quality of the materials on offer, and Taiwan’s increasing success at developing high quality materials with a reduced environmental impact.

  We have come away from our 5^th Future Fabrics Expo feeling energised by the increasing commitment from brands to consider more deeply their material and manufacturing choices, and from mills to work collaboratively with the industry to help reduce impact across the supply chain. The Future Fabrics Expo provides not only a dedicated hub for sustainable sourcing, but also a dynamic networking forum – a place for sharing best practice for the benefit of all. There is still a long way to go, and we look forward to working with more brands to help embed sustainability throughout business activity.

  Even if you didn’t make it to the expo you can still discover hundreds of sustainable materials from the Future Fabrics Expo by visiting www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com. In addition, the whole Future Fabrics Expo can be booked by brands and organisations, to be brought to their HQ or events – please contact info@thesustainableangle.org for information.

  The Future Fabrics Expo is generously supported by Kassim Textiles, Elmer & Zweifel, and Avery Dennison RBIS who developed sustainable digitally printed fabric hangers for the Future Fabrics Expo.

  The 5^th Future Fabrics Expo took place on 29^th – 30^th September 2015 inside Fashion SVP at London Olympia exhibition centre.

  Photography by Zephie Begolo.

  We are delighted to invite you to the 5th Future Fabrics Expo and our sustainable textiles seminar (seminar details TBA) inside Fashion SVP fashion manufacturing and sourcing fair at Olympia Central Exhibition Centre, London, on 29th – 30th September 2015.

  [Registration now closed]

  The 5th Future Fabrics Expo will again showcase a diverse range of several hundred individually selected fabrics with a reduced environmental impact sourced from dozens of international mills and suppliers, displayed with individually researched sustainability information.

  Fabrics on show will be ideally suited for a wide range of market levels and product types, making this the largest and most diverse showcase of commercially available sustainable materials in the industry. Extensive background information on sustainability in fashion and textiles, and the latest textile and processing innovations will also be showcased.

  If you are unable to attend the expo, you are welcome to get in touch to discuss tailored workshops for your company. You can also find hundreds of sustainable materials from our extensive collection, along with resources and tools online at www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com.

  We’ll be keeping you updated on our blog, website, Facebook, and Twitter – and you can sign up for our occasional newsletters here.

  written by Charlotte Turner

  2014 was a big year – a year of progress, of discussion, debate, and new learning. Both for us at The Sustainable Angle, and others we had the opportunity to meet and work with throughout the year.

  A highlight for us was organising the 4^th Future Fabrics Expo at the end of September, hosted once again at London Olympia as part of Fashion SVP. We showed over 1000 sustainable fabrics with a reduced environmental impact, along with new research, tools and resources, and the newly relaunched Future Fabrics Virtual Expo (our online 24/7/365 showcase of hundreds of sustainable materials and resources). It was a real pleasure meeting everyone who visited, and whose positive feedback was instrumental for our 2015 ambitions. 2014 also turned out to be a record year for the expo, with hundreds more registrations, more repeat visits, and another fully packed seminar on sustainable textiles sourcing. We hope (and plan!) to make it even bigger and better in 2015.

  Save the date now, to visit us on 29^th – 30^th September in London. You can keep up to date with our event news by signing up to receive updates here. We will also be announcing the upcoming expo on our website and blog.

  In addition to the main Future Fabrics Expo, we enjoyed popping up elsewhere, including at the SB’14 Sustainable Brands Conference in London, where we showed an edited version of the expo to wide range of global industry leaders. We heard about their experiences with and responses to environmental and social sustainability issues – and not just from fashion and textiles companies, but as wide as TV, transportation, beverage and technology sectors. This was a key opportunity to showcase a range of our sustainable materials, to get wider global industries involved in the conversation about the impact our textiles have – and to realise that no matter what industry sector, chances are your business will have something to do with materials, whether through buying them, giving them away, or just in the day to day through the clothes we choose to wear.

  2014 also saw us run a multi-brand Future Fabrics Workshop in West London, welcoming designers and buyers from leading global retailers and suppliers, as well as new designers and boutique brands. This was an incredibly valuable chance to share some of our newest research on sustainable materials, and for participants to explore our entire materials collection. If you are interested in future workshops, you can sign up for our newsletter here…

  With the same goal, we got involved in the Centre for Sustainable Fashion’s ‘Creative Hub’ initiative, running a workshop for emerging designers based on building a sustainable business, highlighting the use of reduced impact textiles as a key component to best practice. An ideal initiative for start up companies, Creative Hub returns this year with more workshops.

  Along with these events, we were delighted to announce the release of the 2^nd edition of ‘Fabric for Fashion’, co-authored by Amanda Johnston (curator of TSA’s Future Fabrics Expo), which has been expanded to include man made materials as well as natural fibres, delving in to the history, production methods, and characteristics of a huge range of fibres – a must have along with ‘Fabric for Fashion: The Swatch Book’, which includes over 100 fabric swatches.

  Ahead of us in 2015….

  We’re sure that 2015 will be just as exciting as 2014, so to get us started, here are just a few of our plans for the year:

  • We’ll soon be launching the Future Fabrics Virtual Expo sourcing pool, providing the opportunity to purchase sustainable materials through the online Future Fabrics Virtual Expo.
  • TSA’s curator and educational consultant Amanda Johnston will be judging the entries of WRAP’s first sustainable fashion competition, which has seen a huge amount of interest.
  • In 2014 we researched new mills and fabrics at a range of trade shows in the UK, France, and Germany (such as Munich Fabric START and Outdoor Friedrichshafen). 2015 will see us also go to Italy, and to Asia. We’ll be looking to further expand our performance materials collection – so keep your eye on the innovations section of the Future Fabrics Virtual Expo. We will be making a show report available on our website after the shows in February/March, so make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter (here) to find out more.
  • 2015 is also the 5^th anniversary of the Future Fabrics Expo – we’ll be confirming full details soon, but in the meantime please save the date to visit the Expo on 29^th-30^th September 2015 in London. We’ll look forward to seeing you there.

  Be sure to keep your eye on our website and newsletter for news of our upcoming events, workshops, and resources, and we wish you all a wonderful 2015.

  written by Charlotte Turner

  Last week we hosted the first group Future Fabrics Expo workshop at our studio in West London, following requests after hosting the 4th Future Fabrics Expo and seminar in September. The workshop proved to be an engaging and inspiring day for both the participants and for us.

  We opened the doors to a group of designers, buyers, fabric technologists and others from high street to high end brands, to explore our collection of over 1500 globally sourced materials with a reduced environmental impact, and to learn about the latest sustainable material innovations and global initiatives through presentations and activity based discussions.

  Amanda Johnston presenting sustainable material innovations from the 1500+ materials collection

  After looking at the current textiles landscape and the imperatives for improving working practices and impact in the textiles and fashion industries, we presented innovations from ground breaking new leather processing methods, to solvent free coatings, bio-based polyester, closed loop fibre processing, 3D printing and biodegradable sequins to name just a few.

  In addition, commercially available material opportunities presented ranged from bi-product fish leather to organic silk, recycled polyester and nylon, Tencel denim, luxury hemp, GOTS certified digital printing, bi-product oyster shell blends, plus many more natural and man made materials which meet our environmental sustainability criteria. These materials plus hundreds more fabrics selected from our collection can be found online at www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com.

  It was fantastic to see a common interest in reduced impact materials and production methods from such a range of companies, and especially interesting to see the variation in prior knowledge of sustainability. This really showed that it’s imperative that different departments and levels within companies join the dots and ensure all teams and areas of the company are on the same page when it comes to sustainability.

  If you are interested to participate in one of our future workshops or discuss a tailored workshop within your company, or if you would like to recommend materials, mills, brands or initiatives to include, then please contact us. In the meantime, you can keep an eye on our blog and newsletter for news, and visit the Future Fabrics Virtual Expo to discover and source sustainable materials.

  written by Charlotte Turner

  Last week we joined a diverse group of thought leaders and provokers, designers, innovators, and communicators at the Sustainable Brands Conference 2014 in London. During the 3 day conference we attended a range of workshops, presentations and plenaries with experts and leaders from a mix of global industries, to explore and discuss effective and proven ways to embed sustainability in the core of your company. Central themes included the key to effective communication, and how to connect with people, not consumers – an essential in today’s globalised and consumption driven culture. In addition, a range of technological and natural innovations were uncovered, leading the way to progress across industry borders.

  The reason we found ourselves at the hub of this exchanging of ideas was to showcase a pop up Future Fabrics Expo, showing several hundred fabrics with a reduced environmental impact from our extensive sustainable materials collection, along with a selection of our research and our online sustainable sourcing tool the Future Fabrics Virtual Expo.

  Whilst not an audience made up of fashion professionals, it was energising to connect with people from different industries – many of whom were actually far more connected to textiles than they initially thought. We were delighted to find that strategies, thought principles, and specialist innovations really can cross borders between industries, not least because textiles and fashion affect everyone – from those of us who wear clothes (almost all of us) to those who create them (the fashion and textiles industry employs millions of people globally, and is forecast to generate $3,179.7 billion in 2015). With the fashion industry being one of the largest in the world, it’s no wonder it has the power to connect us so effectively.

  The presentations will soon be available online, but in the meantime here are a couple of our favourites:

  A New Product Design Paradigm: Radical Integration of Material Sustainability, Job Creation and Customer Service (Ali Khalifa)

  Aly Khalfia is an inspiring system thinker, Founder of Lyf Shoes, and Director of Design & Engineering at McDonough Innovation. Aly is redesigning the way shoes are made, sold, used, and valued through disrupting traditional industry practice. He has designed a system that both closes the loop on materials, and engages with customers in new ways, through enabling them to 3D print a pair of personalized shoes in store in as little as 90 seconds. You can watch the presentation by clicking the image above.

  Intersecting Sustainability and Marketing: Driving Positive Impact, Market Share and Brand Acuity at the Same Time (Heineken)

  Whilst not strictly related to the fashion or textiles industries, this was a great presentation as it addressed an issue we have often found when we talk to brands – that there is a difference in behavior, communication, and thought process between the Sustainability teams and Marketing teams (and in the case of fashion, also in the Buying teams). This talk addressed how to alleviate the issues this can cause, and it was especially interesting to learn about their ‘Dance more, Drink Less’ campaign, which could teach the fashion industry about responsible communications, enriched experiences for customers, and accepting that encouraging consumers to buy less can actually be a good thing. You can watch the presentation by clicking the image above.

  There were even more engaging presentations and impressive solutions shared at the conference, which we hope you’ll enjoy discovering online.

  Join our sustainable textiles workshop

  If you’d like to find out more sustainable developments and innovations in relation to sustainable fashion and textiles specifically, we’ll be holding a sustainable textiles workshop in West London on 26th November – please contact us if you would like to find out more and to book a place at our corporate or small business rates. Places are limited so get in touch soon!

  written by Charlotte Turner

  We’re delighted to announce we will be at the Sustainable Brands Conference in London, from 3rd – 5th November 2014.

  We’ll have a stand at the Sustainable Brands Activation Hub, where you can visit us between seminars to discover a range of reduced impact materials from the Future Fabrics Expo, discuss sustainable materials and value chains, and find out about our projects, tools, and events aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of the fashion value chain.

  We’re also pleased to be able to offer a discount for our friends, clients, and wider network:
  20% off when you register here with the code nwsustangleb14l

  You can join nearly 500 of your peers at The Lancaster London Hotel to learn from over 60 change agents in more than 30 workshops, plenaries and breakout discussions.

  Sustainable Brands® is the premier global community of brand innovators who are shaping the future of commerce worldwide with focused attention on understanding and leveraging the role of brands in shaping that future.

  This year marks the 3rd year the community is gathering in London. Dedicated business leaders from companies such as Unilever, Marks & Spencer, BASF, Heineken and others are planning to participate as well as thought leaders from Guardian Sustainable Business, Forum for the Future, SustainAbility and more. There is a conscious effort to bring unexpected participants together – large multinational corporations, start-ups, NGOs, academia, investors and government agencies – each bringing a unique perspective but shared passion for shifting the world to a sustainable economy.

  Register to attend the conference here

  written by Charlotte Turner

  We’re really pleased to share our video of the 4th Future Fabrics Expo which took place in September 2014 as part of Fashion SVP at London Olympia Exhibition Centre.

  If you weren’t able to attend, you can still access hundreds of the showcased low impact materials, and sustainability resources online at www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com – where we will continue to add new fabrics and resources throughout the year.

  You can also see photos of the event here, and find out what exhibitors and visitors thought here.

  The video was produced and edited by Chemical Images, who also made the video for the 3rd Future Fabrics Expo in 2013 – you can watch it here.

  written by Charlotte Turner

  

  For those who couldn’t make it (and those who could), we wanted to share news about the 4th Future Fabrics Expo, which was just successfully hosted for the second time inside Fashion SVP at London Olympia. We were visited by hundreds of fashion and textiles professionals, as well as students who will soon be bringing this sustainable sourcing knowledge to jobs throughout the industry.

  If you missed the expo, you can still visit www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com all year round to discover a wide range of the fabrics on display at the expo, plus tools and resources to help on the journey to reducing the environmental impact of your supply chain. You can also get in touch  to discuss tailored hands on workshops and presentations for your company or event.

  This was a record year for the Future Fabrics Expo, which received over a thousand registrations from leading high street, luxury and start up brands, as well as educational, government, and NGO organisations, showing that there is most certainly a growing desire to understand and learn about what our clothes are made of.

  The Future Fabrics Expo was shown to be a key platform for showcasing both sustainable textiles, and initiatives and tools from a range of organisations such as WRAP’s Knowledge Hub, String3 by Historic Futures, and ground-breaking research projects from the Royal College of Art and London College of Fashion.

  A key focus for the 4^th Future Fabrics Expo was on supply chain traceability, showcasing mapping and connecting tools from Historic Futures, and the FireUP project from UAL. In addition, Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) was showcased, resulting in a broad showcase of projects and tools addressing all areas of the textile and fashion value chain. Examples of CmiA fabrics from some of their dozens of member producers were on show – you can find a full list of CmiA producers via their website.

  We additionally presented a seminar on ‘building sustainabiltiy into your textile buying’, exploring how to assess fabrics in relation to sustainability, avoiding pitfalls when sourcing sustainably, and developments of the sustainable textiles market.

  This year the expo was generously sponsored by Kassim Denim and Elmer & Zweifel, also sponsors of the Future Fabrics Virtual Expo (www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com), our online sustainable fabrics sourcing tool available throughout the year.

  If you are looking to source sustainable fabrics in low quantities, we will soon launch a fabrics sourcing pool hosted on www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com, to allow smaller companies and emerging designers to purchase fabrics with a reduced environmental impact at manageable quantities. The launch will be announced via our periodic newsletter in the coming weeks so sign up now to make sure you don’t miss out – we’ll also be sharing information about the latest fabrics to be added to the Future Fabrics Virtual Expo.

  The 4th Future Fabrics Expo was generously sponsored by Kassim Textiles and Elmer & Zweifel.

  written by Charlotte Turner

  We’re delighted to announce that we will once again be presenting a seminar during the 4^th Future Fabrics Expo at Fashion SVP, London, on 28^th – 30^th September, as part of Fashion SVP’s ‘Sourcing Briefing’ seminar series.

  The seminar will take place on Tuesday 30^th September at 10.30am near the Future Fabrics Expo (Stand SF1 at Fashion SVP, Olympia Central Exhibition Centre) – to attend simply register for a free event pass here.

  Last year our seminar exploring the future of sustainable fashion fabrics was one of the most highly visited sessions during the two-day programme, and the impressive line up this year will also be well worth a visit.

  This year, Amanda Johnston, curator and consultant at The Sustainable Angle, will be delivering a seminar looking at how to build sustainability into your textile buying.

  Future Fabrics Expo seminar by Amanda Johnston 2013

  The session will cover topics including:

  • Sustainability criteria – how to assess fabrics
  • Making good choices – avoiding pitfalls when sourcing sustainable fabrics
  • Current developments of the sustainable textiles market as seen through the lens of The Sustainable Angle

  As well as attending the seminar, you will be able to visit the Future Fabrics Expo stand (SF1) to discover hundreds of individually sourced sustainable textiles from dozens of mills around the world, along with extensive background research on sustainability, and some of the latest resources and tools related to sustainability in fashion and textiles.

  To attend the Future Fabrics Expo and seminar simply register for a free event pass here.

  About Amanda Johnston:
  Amanda is curator and consultant at The Sustainable Angle, having curated the sustainable textiles collection and Future Fabrics Expo since its inception. She has a background in design consultancy and education, and has co-authored two books: Fabric For Fashion, and Fabric For Fashion The Swatch Book (both published 2010; 2nd edition 2014). Amanda teaches at the London College of Fashion, and regularly runs sustainable materials workshops, delivering presentations and seminars internationally, both at industry events and in educational forums.

  written by Charlotte Turner

  As the researcher and project manager at The Sustainable Angle, I was recently invited to present a sustainable sourcing workshop to fashion start-up companies at the Fashion and Textiles Museum in London, as part of the Creative Hub project led by the Centre for Sustainable Fashion. I was delighted to take part to provide guidance on sourcing more sustainably, alongside a tailored series of talks on design strategy, manufacturing, and brand values and communication.

  The Creative Hub is a new business-mentoring scheme run from the Fashion and Textiles Museum, with the Centre for Sustainable Fashion offering tailored business support to 30 fashion businesses over the next year. They selected “beneficiaries with an interest in and commitment to doing things differently, those who are willing and able to explore and instigate new business models; those with genuine creative flair and those who understand that good business involves 360 vision.”

  This one-day workshop was designed to provide a snapshot analysis of the opportunities sustainability can provide for a new business, and the starting points for integrating sustainability into the design and business planning process.

  As materials are often the starting point when considering sustainability in a design business, the sustainable sourcing session delivered by The Sustainable Angle provided simple framework for sustainable materials and supplier sourcing, as well as showcasing over a hundred sustainable textiles samples. The presentation included:

  • Sustainable materials – an overview of how and why we need to rethink the materials and processes we use in fashion and clothing production
  • Measurements and guidelines – What benchmarks exist and how can we best use them to our advantage
  • Today / Tomorrow – How do we improve our sourcing practices / who should be involved?
  • Fabric showcase ‐ What is available and a discussion of commercial viability and questions to ask mills and suppliers

  It is exciting to see the diverse and boundary pushing ideas being explored by start-ups and small businesses, and so we hope that initiatives like Creative Hub, and sustainable sourcing platforms like the Future Fabrics Expo and online Future Fabrics Virtual Expo will continue to equip designers, buyers, product developers and more with the knowledge, resources and skills needed to run their businesses in the most sustainable ways possible.

  written by Charlotte Turner

  I recently attended the SOURCE Summit hosted by the Ethical Fashion Forum at the Human Rights Action Centre at Amnesty International HQ, to find out about some of the latest developments in ethical and sustainable fashion. The day was focused around 3D profit, discussing how you can link financial profit with positive social and environmental impact.

  Photography by Rachel Mann

  “We believe that business is changing, it’s in part due to external pressures but what I find most relevant about the topic today is that there is a real business case to investing in sustainable reform,” Summerly Horning from Tau Investment Management.

  Photography by Rachel Mann

  After a range of panel discussions and break up sessions discussing topics ranging from accounting to production, the day wrapped up with a panel discussion chaired by Baronness Lola Young of Hornsey about the future of the fashion industry and how it might achieve “3D” success. Dr. Maximilian Martin, founder of Impact Economy and one of the panelists summed it up by saying:

  “The textile and garment industry has a role to play, you are innovators and many of you are operating boutique businesses that are working with really interesting ideas about shared products, long value chains, etc. I think many of the things that you’re working on have much more potency to drive wider change than you realize.“

  written by Charlotte Turner

  Considering the abundance of design talent that has been seen recently from fashion graduates around the country, we wanted to share news of a collaboration between The Sustainable Angle, international denim company Kassim Textiles, and the London College of Fashion.

  Through the Future Fabrics Expo, The Sustainable Angle facilitated the sponsorship of the latest project from LCF’s MA Fashion Futures course. Kassim Textiles generously sponsored the project by providing sustainable organic denims for the students to visualize their explorations of the parameters and practices used to make and wear fashion.

  The projects, including Bodies of Work / Body Cut by Katharina Thiel, and Wearable Data by Caroline Yan Zheng, explored themes surrounding our relationship with fashion and the body (Theil), and engaging in speculative design to catalyse social discussion and debate (Zheng). Zheng and Thiel’s work was displayed in an exhibition at the Garden Museum.

  Garden Museum Exhibition, Kat Thiel

  Caroline Yan Zheng said: “As part of the Fashion & Gardens programme at the Garden Museum London, the LCF MA Fashion and Environment course had the opportunity to create garments practicing sustainable approaches. Kassim Textiles kindly supported us with their sustainable denim fabrics.

  My personal approach is an on-going project, exercising the practice of speculative design. The aim of the project is to use design as a media to catalyze social discussion and debate over what life could be in the near future, to explore how to create clothes that make people think. The modern economies rely heavily on the development of science and technology, and while there is generally an overwhelming hail of all the benefits brought by them, the other doubtful impacts are less discussed. While clothes’ role in modern economy is normally to encourage consumption, this collection hopes to make people think about their possible form and identity in the manipulation of technologies. The purpose is not to indicate what is right and what is wrong, but only to encourage reflection, to make fashion participate in social debate.

  My research on speculative design will carry further to form my masters project, which explores values and identity by visualizing data in 2D and 3D forms, realized in knitwear.”

  Work by Caroline Yan Zhieng

  Sohail Ahmed from Kassim Textiles commented that “We at Kassim Textiles always believe in progress, and on this belief when we were approached by the Sustainable Angle to assist the students of LCF, we felt obligated to participate in these projects. This was our way of helping out future tex-perts complete their studies and step into the real world…. I believe that in not the distant future, sustainability will be the major factor.”

  You can find out more about Kassim Textiles and their sustainability on the Future Fabrics Virtual Expo, and at the 4th Future Fabrics Expo in September.

  written by Charlotte Turner

  We’re delighted to announce that the 4th Future Fabrics Expo will take place for the second time within Fashion SVP, the leading UK fashion sourcing event. The expo is aimed at anybody in the fashion industry looking to discover hundreds of fabrics with a lower environmental impact including organic silk, low impact leather, recycled fibres, and reduced impact processing. We show new sustainable solutions in textiles and fashion production in a curated showcase ideal for designers, buyers, and sustainability professionals from the high street to couture houses and independent designers.

  Since its inception in 2011, the Future Fabrics Expo has achieved a winning combination of increasing the visibility of innovative textiles, effectively promoting and communicating textiles with a lower environmental impact to designers and buyers in an accessible design-led format. It has been successful in changing the outdated image of sustainable materials, building up an expanding resource of globally sourced and individually assessed fabrics which are suitable for luxury, retailers and niche fashion brands. As always, the several hundred man-made and natural sustainable fabrics shown in full-length samples will be accompanied by background information explaining the innovative materials, and showcasing best practice production and finishing processes.

  The expo will be open from 28th – 30th September 2014 at London Olympia exhibition centre, Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX. You can find out how to attend on our website.

  @Sustainable_Ang       #FutureFabricsExpo

  We’re delighted to share with you our video of the third Future Fabrics Expo which took place in September 2013 as part of Fashion SVP at London Olympia.

  [vimeo http://vimeo.com/78667194 w=600&h=332]

  More videos and photos of our events can be seen here.

  Video production and edit by Chemical Images

  written by Charlotte Turner

  We’re pleased to share some fantastic photos of the recent 3rd Future Fabrics Expo which took place inside Fashion SVP at London Olympia Exhibition centre at the end of September. These photos were taken by photographer Evgeniy Kazannik, co-founder of GREEN LENS STUDIOS, the first sustainable photographic studio in the UK. You can see more of these photos on our website.

  GREEN LENS STUDIOS recognise that as a business they cannot be 100% eco-friendly, however, they can (and do) seek to minimise their impact on the environment, without interfering with the quality of their professional service.

  As well as providing their broad clientele with reasonably-priced, highly energy efficient facilities for photo shoots and art projects, they encourage creative sustainable practice beyond GLS by regularly organising exhibitions and workshops.

  You can find out more and contact them on their website.

  Visit our website to see more photos from the 3rd Future Fabrics Expo. 

  written by Charlotte Turner

  The Sustainable Angle recently welcomed hundreds of visitors from the fashion industry to the 3^rd Future Fabrics Expo, held inside Fashion SVP manufacturing and sourcing fair at the Olympia Exhibition Centre, London, on 22 – 24 September 2013.

  The 3^rd edition of Fashion SVP was focused on near-shore manufacturing and sourcing from the European and Mediterranean region, and to reflect this the Future Fabrics Expo featured a section dedicated to British produced fabrics, as well as hundreds of European fabrics throughout the expo with a reduced environmental impact. In addition, for the first time the Future Fabrics Expo showcased a section dedicated to low impact leather and leather alternatives.

  The 3^rd Future Fabrics Expo again showcased fashion fabrics and innovations with a reduced environmental impact, accompanied by background information explaining the future fabrics and ideas for making fashion more sustainable.
  The expo showed a curated selection of more than 800 materials with a reduced environmental and social impact, including low impact fish leather, denims blended with cellulosic fibres, British tweeds woven in London, knitted and woven organic cottons, and innovative man made performance fabrics.
  Our seminar on ‘The Sustainable Future of Fabrics’ presented by Amanda Johnston was one of the most highly attended talks of the whole 2 day seminar series, showing there is a positive rising demand for sustainable fabrics and sustainability information.

  The expo was generously sponsored by mills and organisations from the textiles, retail solutions and certifications sectors: Kassim Denim, Pratibha Syntex, Swiss Organics, Avery Dennison, and GOTS, showcasing sustainability efforts across the supply chain.

  Even if you could not make it to the expo you can visit our website and blog for our latest news, and you can get in touch to discuss tailored workshops for your company.

  We will be sharing the latest Future Fabrics Expo video and photos with you soon, and in the coming months we will be releasing a digital version of the expo, so keep in touch.

  written by Charlotte Turner

  This year at the Future Fabrics Expo, The Sustainable Angle will be presenting on the Sustainable Future of Textiles as part of the seminar series during Fashion SVP.

  Our curator Amanda Johnston will be introducing The Sustainable Angle and the impetus behind its inception, exploring how we developed our sustainability criteria, and our rationale for the research and selection of fibre and process categories.

  The seminar will examine the most pertinent sustainability issues in textile fibres: for example, our over reliance on cotton and synthetics and their catastrophic impacts. We’ll unpick the minefield of life cycle analysis and look at limiting impacts by understanding how the fibre is produced and processed, and the importance of diversification and traceability.

  We’ll be discussing examples of ways forward for a future materials landscape: what are our viable alternatives?

  Most importantly, we’ll be looking at the challenge with the production of new fibre types or technologies; and how consensus is needed to prevent the stalling ‘push’ and ‘pull’ on the market.

  The Sustainable Future of Textiles seminar will take place on Tuesday 24^th September at 10.30am near the Future Fabrics Expo (Stand SD1 at Fashion SVP, Olympia 2 Exhibition Centre).

  You can find out more and register to attend the Future Fabrics Expo and the seminar here.

  About Amanda Johnston:
  Amanda Johnston is consultant and Curator for The Sustainable Angle. She is also an Associate Lecturer at London College of Fashion on their B.A, M.A and MDES programmes, and has delivered workshops on Sustainable Textiles for the Made By organisation, The Royal College of Art and the British Council. She co-authored two books; Fabric for Fashion and Fabric for Fashion the Swatch Book, both published by Laurence King in 2010.

  written by Charlotte Turner

  Swiss Organics have been a regular at the Future Fabrics Expo for the last 3 years, so we’re delighted that we’ll be showcasing them again this year as a sponsor.

  Swiss Organics is an umbrella organisation representing Swiss mills producing organic cottons: Cilander, Hausammann & Moos, Jenny Fabrics, Johan Muller, Weba Weberei Appenzell, Hermann Buhler.

  All fabrics are manufactured within a 100km radius in Switzerland and every production company involved in the manufacture of these textiles, from yarn production via weaving to finishing, is certified compliant with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). All Swiss Organics companies are also STeP certified (formerly Öeko-Tex Standard 1000) which assures the sustainability production facilities throughout the supply chain. CO₂ emissions are reduced to an absolute minimum with voluntary CO₂ reduction efforts.

  Only the finest certified organic extra long staple PIMA Cotton is used, mainly grown in the USA. The majority of water used in this cotton comes from rain water reservoirs. All Swiss Organics fabrics meet GOTS certification at every step of the supply chain.

  All the production steps, except for cotton growing, take place in Switzerland – Made in Switzerland.

  You can see more of Pratibha Syntex at the Future Fabrics Expo on 22^nd – 24^th September 2013 at Olympia 2, London.

  You can find out more and register to attend the Future Fabrics Expo here.

  written by Charlotte Turner

  Over the past two years the Future Fabrics Expo has achieved a winning combination of increasing the visibility of innovative textiles, and promoting and communicating textiles with a lower environmental impact to designers, buyers, press and global organisations, in a setting that is designed and curated to introduce textiles for the future with a lower environmental impact in a jargon-free manner. So this year we are looking forward to bringing the expo right to those designers and buyers at the forefront of the industry, by presenting the expo as part of Fashion SVP, the leading event specialising in near-shore fashion manufacturing.

  Fashion SVP will take place at Olympia Exhibition Centre, London, on 22nd – 24th September 2013. Fashion SVP, established in 2011, is now expanding to encompass over 15 European and Euro-Med countries, including a healthy UK percentage, to make up a spread of over 70 companies from full-service to CMT, able to produce ladies’, men’s and children’s wear knitted and woven collections. The carefully vetted producers will be able to meet the demands and standards of UK and European buyers.

  The seminars, crowded at the 2012 edition, will be expanded in 2013 under the guidance and direction of the Advisory Board (made up of the biggest UK retailers and brands) to produce a two tier programme aimed at addressing sourcing issues relevant to both senior and middle management. The topics covered will range from Regional Briefings, New technologies, Innovation in Sustainable Fabrics,  Near shore versus Far East manufacturing, the Role of British Manufacturing to name a few.

  The 3rd Future Fabrics Expo will show several hundred fabrics with a lower environmental impact from over 30 international mills, as well as video insights and further background research. The Sustainable Angle will also be part of the seminar series, presenting a session on sustainable textiles. For more information please visit www.fashionsvp.com

  written by Charlotte Turner

  In June, Amanda Johnston, Curator for the Sustainable Angle, was invited to run a two day Sustainable materials workshop for students at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering Department for Textiles in Ljubjliana, Slovenia:

  “I liaised with the British Council and University on the presentation of a Sustainable Materials workshop that would enable the students participating to gain an overview of sustainable thinking for the fashion industry, with materials as the main focus, considering the potential cultivation and processing impacts of fibres. To highlight this, I introduced The Sustainable Angle organisation and its work presenting Future Fabric Expos in liaison with the Centre For Sustainable Fashion at London College of Fashion, showing a selection of sustainable fabrics from our collection.

  The students selected fabrics that resonated with them as creators, recording their own sustainability considerations based upon The Sustainable Angle’s environmental criteria, and thinking about questions they would ask suppliers to source best practice materials. Considering the dominance of certain textile fibres, an interactive pie chart of the fibre provenance of their own clothes was compiled, as was done at the last Future Fabrics Expo.” (below)

  Image by Myka Baum

  “The workshop was planned to coincide with a visit to Slovenia by London College of Fashion’s newly appointed Royal Patron, Sophie Countess of Wessex, and her husband Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex. They were in Slovenia to take part in various events aimed at promoting British innovation, fashion, heritage and business. Both the Countess and Earl were extremely engaged with the students at the faculty, and appeared to thoroughly enjoy their visit. I led the Earl around the students work, and introduced him and the British Ambassador Andrew Page to varied examples of innovative fibre developments from our collection.

  A big thank you to all the British Council representatives, staff and students at the Faculty, who enabled the smooth running of the workshop and Royal visit, and were all so welcoming!”

  The Sustainable Angle’s Curator Amanda Johnston presenting HRH Sophie Countess of Wessex with her books “Fabric for Fashion” and “Fabric for Fashion: The Swatchbook”
  Image by Primož Predalič

  written by Charlotte Turner

  We are delighted to announce that the 3^rd Future Fabrics Expo will take place inside the reputable Fashion SVP manufacturing and sourcing fair at the Olympia 2 Exhibition Centre, London W14, on 22 – 24 September 2013.

  The expo will be showcased inside the industry guided sourcing event Fashion SVP, which will be focused on near-shore (European and Mediterranean) manufacturing, while The Sustainable Angle’s Future Fabrics Expo will again showcase several hundred globally sourced sustainable textiles. The 3^rd Future Fabrics Expo follows in the footsteps of our first two expos hosted in London in 2011 and 2012, exploring diverse ways to reduce environmental impact in the supply chain.

  We are looking forward to presenting a wide selection of sustainable fibres, fabrics, and finishes, and getting visitors to learn about and consider their fabrics choices, both at our expo and seminar session – the full programme will be available on www.fashionsvp.com soon.

  The 3^rd Future Fabrics Expo will offer:

  –       A curated showcase aimed at designers, buyers and press, including several hundred unique and individually selected natural and man-made sustainable fabrics from diverse global mills.

  –       An easy to navigate sourcing and research showcase that is designed and curated to introduce textiles for the future with a reduced environmental impact in a jargon-free manner.

  –       A complimentary offer to Fashion SVP, which will showcase near-shore garment manufacturing exhibitors who make not just for the mid-market, but also for upmarket brands with a global audience.

  –       The Sustainable Angle will also share some of the latest sustainable innovations in the Fashion SVP conference programme.

  –       Fashion SVP will include conference sessions, the exhibition and networking opportunities.

  In the run up to the expo you can visit our website and blog for our latest news. If you are unable to attend the expo, you can get in touch to discuss tailored workshops for your company.

  Register to attend the Future Fabrics Expo here

  www.thesustainableangle.org/futurefabricsexpo  |  www.fashionsvp.com

  written by Charlotte Turner

  The Sustainable Angle attended the Sustainia100 launch on June 9^th at the Crystal in London, marking an important milestone in connecting readily available solutions with business leaders, policy makers and our community. As Sustainia founder Erik Rasmussen observes, “this connection is necessary in order to successfully unleash the potential of sustainability and build the momentum needed.”

  The day also marked an important step towards engaging civil society in sustainability and spreading the awareness of the solutions already out there that can help transform our societies, improve our lifestyles and pave the way to Sustainia.

  If you were not able to attend you can see updates from the event and follow the conversation on #100solutions. You can also catch the recent articles on Sustainia100 in The Guardian or Green Biz.

  Each year a Sustainia100 guide is published, and here is a link to the website where you can view it online or download it for free.

  The Sustainable Angle is looking forward to next year’s Sustainia100 awards, for which it has been nominated. We’ll keep you updated about this, and in the mean time you can sign up for the Sustainia newsletter.

  written by Charlotte Turner

  Update about the next Future Fabrics Expo organized by The Sustainable Angle: the 3^rd Future Fabrics Expo will now take place in London at the end of 2013

  The CIFF Future Fabrics Fair and Conference, due to take place in Copenhagen on 8-10 September 2013, has been postponed until 2014. This fair was due to host the 3^rd Future Fabrics Expo by The Sustainable Angle, but has been postponed to a date in 2014 that will be suitably fitting in the busy trade fair calendar.

  The next Future Fabrics Expo 2013 will therefore take place in London once again, following in the footsteps of our first two expos which were hosted in London in 2011 and 2012. We look forward to showing more than 700 1m length unique and individually selected natural and man made sustainable fabrics from over 50 global mills in a curated showcase aimed at designers, buyers, students and press.

  The Future Fabrics Expo has achieved a winning combination of increasing the visibility of innovative textiles, and promoting and communicating textiles with a lower environmental impact to designers, buyers, press and global organisations, in a sourcing and research setting that is designed and curated to introduce textiles for the future with a lower environmental impact in a jargon-free manner.

  We will update you in the next few weeks with details for the next Future Fabrics Expo, London 2013, and in the meantime you can visit our website and blog for our latest news.

  written by Charlotte Turner

  This week social enterprise production company The Rainbow Collective screened ‘The Machinists‘ (2010), a documentary by Hannan Majid and Richard York. The screening was in response to a series of recent tragedies in Bangladesh garment factories including fatal fires and the Rana factory collapse. These events collectively killed over 1,000 people and have prompted action throughout the world.

  The documentary follows the Bangladesh National Garment Worker’s Federation and the stories of 3 very different garment factory workers, showing the detrimental effects of poor working and living conditions on the thousands of people in the garment industry, accounting for roughly 80% of Bangladesh’s exports. The already worrying statistics in the documentary have significantly worsened since the recent Rana factory collapse and factory fires in late 2012, bringing garment worker deaths in Bangladesh closer to 1,500 than the 200 stated in 2010.

  [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSR9ctoleKw?rel=0]

  The Rainbow Collective therefore invites you to attend a special fundraising screening of their acclaimed documentary, followed by discussion with leading campaigners, film makers, and industry representatives. The event will be raising money to support the families bereaved by the Rana factory collapse disaster.

  

  written by Charlotte Turner

  The Sustainable Angle was recently invited to attend The LAUCH 2020 summit hosted by Nike in Portland, USA, in partnership with NASA, The US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US Department of State.

  150 people were selected to attend the summit in order to share knowledge and collaborate ideas to help find ‘game-changing’ technologies and innovations with the potential to bring about a more sustainable textiles industry. After two days the Launch System Challenge 2013 was stated as seeking innovations in sustainable materials “that can have a major impact on people and the planet.”

  Nike President & CEO, Mark Parker, was speaking at the LAUNCH 2020 Summit and stated “Innovation is most powerful when it’s activated by collaboration between unlikely partners, coupled with investment dollars, marketing know-how and determination. Now is the time for big, bold solutions. Incremental change won’t get us where we need to go fast enough or at a scale that makes a difference.”

  [vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/64939206 w=600&h=337]

  LAUNCH 2020 is particularly interested in innovations for materials which eliminate toxins in fabrics and which accelerate the development of low or positive environmental fabrics. Of particular significance to the initiative are innovations with the potential to scale-up in two years, as well as game-changing early stage technologies and prototypes. “Innovations can be business models, financial instruments, technologies and programs that accelerate research, education and capacity building.” – LAUNCH 2020.

  Innovators, inventors, consultants, entrepreneurs, NGOs, research institutions, social enterprises and venture capitalists are invited to submit their ideas from now on until July 15, 2013.

  The best ten proposals will be invited by LAUNCH 2020 partners to be presented in front of experts in the field, and the selected winners will receive support and financing in order to scale them up over the next two years.

  LAUNCH 2013 Installation from nikeinc.com

  For more information on the LAUNCH Systems Challenge 2013 visit http://www.launch.org/challenges/systems-2013

  written by Charlotte Turner
  Somerset House recently played host to The Startup Showcase, a two day creative festival championing the best of London’s creative entrepreneurs. The event included a marketplace, wide-ranging seminars, and creative skills workshops.
  A collection of The Sustainable Angle’s fabrics with a reduced environmental impact were presented at the event by Texsture, an independent firm with European roots and a global reach.  They reflect on whether consumers know where their clothing is coming from, and what it is made of.
   

  We’re delighted to share with you our video of the second Future Fabrics Expo which took place in November 2012.

  More videos and photos of our events can be seen here.

  [vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/57697296 w=600&h=332]

  You can also keep up to date on our vimeo channel.

  Written by Charlotte Turner

  The second Future Fabrics Expo was hosted on November 7-9 at the London College of Fashion with support from the Centre for Sustainable Fashion. It provided a physical showcase of roughly 650 fashion fabrics with a reduced environmental impact which looked at biodiversity, water, waste and energy impacts and benefits, as well as interactive information and videos. From the feedback we’ve received, it seems that designers and buyers are still struggling to know exactly how to incorporate sustainability more holistically into their businesses – sourcing fabrics more sustainably can be a great way to start, as well as being an area customers can directly experience the benefits from and understand.

  The expo was visited by hundreds of fashion industry professionals and fashion students and we were pleased to welcome organisations including the Ethical Fashion Forum, TED, Redress, and the Royal College of Art, which will enable a wider audience to benefit from the expo content.

  The expo was intended to inform and inspire fashion designers and buyers about the variety, availability and viability of sustainable fabrics, and is actively changing the outdated image of sustainable fabrics. The environmental criteria highlighted different aspects of sustainability that often get forgotten across a wide range of fibres, from cultivation, to processing, dyeing, weaving and finishing.

   

  Fabrics on show ranged from recycled and regenerated performance fibres such as Newlife® recycled polyester (represented by C.L.A.S.S.) and recycled nylon from Hyosung, to organic, cellulosic and local fibres such as Crabyon®, Lenzing Tencel®, 100% European traceable linen from CLUB Masters of Linen, fully certified organic pima cotton from Swiss Organics, and luxury Peruvian alpaca. Processes including laser finishing for denim, innovative dyeing techniques and natural performance attributes were also explored.

  We received some great feedback about the expo, and also suggestions for our next expo in 2013. We’d love to hear your thoughts so if you have any suggestions, ideas or feedback please get in touch.

  View photos of the Future Fabrics Expo 2012 here

  written by Charlotte Turner

  You can take a look at The Sustainable Angle’s new article on the Ethical Fashion Forum Source Magazine about reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry through innovation in textiles.

  The Future of Fashion Fabrics – Reducing Environmental Impact | The Ethical Fashion Source

  Environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry are growing, but there are many ways that you can not only reduce negative environmental impact, but also increase positive environmental and social benefits through informed choices of materials and intelligent design. Thinking critically about materials is just one option, which is not an isolated solution, but part of a considered and linked chain of positive choices along the supply chain.

  According to the Oerlikon Textile Report; The Fibre Year 2009/10:

  • 58% of all fibres produced globally were synthetic, 42% were naturally derived
  • 45% of all fibres produced were polyester, 32% were cotton
  • 23% were other fibres – of which 13% were polyamide, polypropolene, acrylic and other synthetics (1%), and 10% were wool, viscoses, other naturals and cellulosics.

  Therefore there is a massive need for fibre diversification to avoid natural resource depletion and support thriving eco-systems, in light of the overwhelming global use of such a small range of fibres despite growing availability of innovative fibres and fabrics.

  In 2010 the global textile industry ‘experienced the most potent growth in 25 years’ (Oerlikon Textile Report), with an increase of 8.6% – with such a rapid growth of textiles on offer, it is imperative to make informed and responsible choices.

  Read more at The Future of Fashion Fabrics – Reducing Environmental Impact | The Ethical Fashion Source

  Written by Charlotte Turner

  This year The Sustainable Angle were lucky enough to be approached by360Fashion Mobile-Mags to create a mobile phone app guide especially for the Future Fabrics Expo.

  The app is intended to reduce paper waste, while still providing a concise and portable overview of the Expo, and allowing a wide-reaching audience. 360Fashion Mobile-Mags’ generous support of the expo is aiming to address the issue of sustainability in the fashion and events industry, and The Sustainable Angle are really pleased to be able to extend the journey towards sustainability to communication tools. 

  Download the Future Fabrics Expo app powered by 360Fashion Mobile-Mags to keep track of event information, find out about the organisation, learn about what makes this expo sustainable, and stay up to date with our services.

  Download the app by either scanning this QR code or typingmobilemags.360fashion.net/15050 in to your mobile phone browser.

  Find out more about 360Fashion Mobile-Mags here

  Written by Charlotte Turner

  The Sustainable Angle recently visited Paris to attend the bi-annual Premiere Vision and Texworld fabric sourcing shows. It was a chance to catch up with our favourite mills we have been working with over the last couple of years, and an opportunity to meet new and old companies with vastly differing approaches to sustainability.

  Our requests for fabrics with a reduced environmental impact were met with varying levels of success and enthusiasm, though the several long conversations we had about the subject did show people’s interest to discuss the subject and really try to evaluate where the industry is now, and where it is heading in terms of sustainability.

  The answer to that is not necessarily straightforward when looking at the industry as a whole, but we are pleased to say that we did come away with several new mills to showcase in the next Future Fabrics Expo, showing the continuing efforts towards sustainability.

  Aside from hearing different standpoints on sustainability, one key message that was learned from the shows was that if at first you don’t succeed, you really must try and try again – hiding away your sustainable fabrics is not going to increase peoples’ awareness, and the fashion industry really is looking for those fabrics…

  You can soon see some of the fantastic sustainable fabrics we came away with, and are looking forward to showing in the Future Fabrics Expo on 7^th – 9^thNovember.

  Register to attend theFuture Fabrics Expo atwww.thesustainableangle.org/futurefabricsexpo

  Image source www.lucza.com 

   

  Written by Charlotte Turner

  On 25^th July the Ethical Fashion Forum hosted the Source Summit in London, to enable Source members from all stages of the supply chain to network and share knowledge, thoughts and ideas about the latest in social and environmental development in the fashion industry. The day was underpinned by an inspiring program of presentations from industry leaders including EFF Founding Director Clare Lissaman, and international researchers, educators and entrepreneurs. The event focused on discussing impact, visibility, education and systems, culminating in a series of breakout groups.

  EFF Managing Director Tamsin Lejeune opened the event by stating that ‘in order to run a business effectively we have to run it sustainably’ which set the theme for the day, introducing speakers from international sustainable fashion brands.

  Prama Bhardwaj from Mantis World gave an inspiring talk, discussing the triple bottom line: people, profit and planet. She gave some fantastic recommendations to achieve this, including her key piece of advice, to pick your battles. Prama’s recommendations to achieve triple bottom line success:

  1. Know your supply chain
  • be informed
  • know the risks
  • make responsible commercial decisions if things don’t go right
  • communicate
  • Ethical should be a given
  • make the product fantastic, desirable and affordable, focusing on great design and function – the product must benefit the consumer as well as the producer
  1. Follow the 3 Ps
  • Prioritise
  • be Patient
  • be Persistent

  Alana James then discussed her research into mainstreaming sustainability in the fashion sector, having found that consumers rate clothing primarily by aesthetics, followed by materials which are felt to reflect quality and value, and lastly by price. Although 30% of consumers are said to have ethical intentions when shopping, only 3% actually carry this through in their shopping choices, which is something the high street has the power to influence.

  Perhaps the most poignant presentation came from Liz Parker who discussed the importance of sustainability in the educational curriculum, in order to facilitate change throughout the industry. She argued that students should be thought of like consumers, as sustainability is values based and therefore can’t be forced upon people. For this reason encouraging critical thinking is vital.

  Following the inspiring presentations, the breakout groups to further discuss specific themes resulted in a multitude of positive ideas for the future including:

  • the fashion industry should work towards bringing in legislation to ensure the textiles industry are held accountable for their waste
  • brands should collaborate more, with larger brands leading the way to deliver a more standardized understandable way to communicate inspirationally with consumers about ethical and environmental sustainability
  • language about ethical and environmental sustainability should change, promoting positive stories and messages, and not weighing consumers down with guilt

  Overall, a resounding conversation throughout the day was the fact that in an ideal world we wouldn’t talk about ‘ethical fashion’, just ‘fashion’. Sustainable marketing specialist Ceri Heathcote from Ethical Fashion Blog observed that ‘for sustainable change we need to change the way things are at an identity level – who we are, what we’re doing, and why we’re doing it.’ In order to do this, it’s up to each designer, buyer and fashion professional to evaluate what sustainability means to them.

  Written by Charlotte Turner

  The Sustainable Angle are proud to announce that they have joined the ranks of The Ethical Fashion Forum’s Fellowship 500, which has been launched with the aim of taking the fashion industry to tipping point – the point at which sustainable practices by fashion businesses become the rule rather than the exception to it – from field to final product.

  This group of pioneering innovators in fashion and sustainability also have the opportunity to help shape EFF’s strategy to transform social and environmental standards in the fashion industry, and on July 25^th the Fellowship met in London to do just this. The event was a platform to network, exchange knowledge, and learn more about current issues regarding sustainable practices, and ways in which the industry can continue moving closer to a more sustainable future. The day was a fantastic opportunity to hear from a diverse range of passionate and experienced speakers, and produced much food for thought.

  Read more about the Source Summit soon here and on our website.

  Written by Charlotte Turner

  On 7th June, The Sustainable Angle had the pleasure of attending the third Puma Sustainable Design Collective session at the Puma Headquarters in central London. The event was attended by designers and sustainable fashion practitioners from Puma and beyond, and the Puma showroom itself showed evidence of ongoing progress regarding sustainable and ethical practice. Puma’s Sustainable Principles covered the walls, which had been developed by the evening’s host, Dr. Jonathan Chapman.

  Dr. Chapman started the evening by recapping the previous sessions, where ‘Fashion & Sustainability’ co-author Kate Fletcher had spoken about designing for change, and the importance of transforming fashion products, fashion systems, and fashion design practice.

  He poignantly observed how ‘people wait for the ‘paradigm shift’; a transitional moment when we awaken to see hidden associated impacts’ of our products. He observed that ‘we need faster and more immediate solutions’, and we need to ‘look at practical tangible tools’.

  Rebecca Earley presenting ‘Thinking Big & Making it Real…’

  The core session was led by Rebecca Earley, director of TFRC and Senior Research Fellow at TED, Chelsea. Rebecca’s stimulating talk provided a comprehensive overview of recent developments in sustainable textiles and fashion, and drew attention to the growing number of innovative ‘new cellulosics’ as well as innovative printing, dyeing and production processes such as air-dyeing, polyester ‘re-surfacing’, and longer life denim.

  She also discussed how our research in sustainable fashion is based on the estimations that decisions made in design are responsible for 80-90% of a product’s environmental impact, and that cross discipline work is essential for sustainability. By using TED’s TEN as a starting point, she presented ‘Thinking Big & Making it Real: 50 ways to make better stuff (or stuff better)…’ to illustrate how designers can prioritize what is most important to their customer, brand, ethos, product and development aims in order to reduce the impacts of their products right now, whilst also motivating longer term, broader change.

  The overall message though which was supported by highlighting a range of fantastic new innovations, seemed to be that to succeed sustainable design has to be the most desirable, the most functional, the most beautiful and also affordable – therefore we need to look at what people want and see that there is a sustainability opportunity. Although there are many challenges on the route to success, Peter Diamandis from TED is confident, saying there’s a ‘case for optimism – we’ll invent, innovate, and create ways to solve the challenges that loom over us’.

  Image source: http://tfrcconnections.blogspot.co.uk/ 

  Written by Charlotte Turner

  On 3^rd May 2012 The Sustainable Angle attended the Copenhagen Fashion Summit organised by NICE to hear keynote speeches from international brands and organisations including Gucci, PPR, H&M, Honest By, Terraplana, WGSN, Greenpeace, The Sustainable Apparel Coalition, UN Global Compact, and Peter Ingwersen and the Youth Fashion Summit.

  The day included the NICE Fashion Challenge runway, which showcased looks from Danish designers created using entirely sustainable fabrics, and was judged according to design, innovation and sustainability criteria. The contest was won by Susanne Rutzou, whose outfits were made from Newlife recycled polyester, eco silk, organic cotton, bamboo and alpaca.

  The conference was opened by Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, who observed that conscious consumers play a pivotal role in developing sustainable business models, through raising demand to brands. Another key comment was from Greenpeace’s Kirsten Brodde, who highlighted the ‘power and influence of global consumers to turn sustainable fashion simply into fashion’.

  The importance of customer communication was frequently discussed throughout the day, with Deloitte’s speaker commenting that consumer engagement on sustainable consumption can be positively affected through increased information sharing. H&M (who champion sustainability through their Conscious collection) have found that 23% of their customers are specifically looking for sustainable clothing, showing positive awareness on the high street, but further communication could raise this number. Deloitte’s extensive research has also shown that consumers currently feel social aspects are focused on far more than environmental issues in ‘sustainable clothing’ offers, indicating many opportunities for environmentally sustainable textiles. As PPR’s representative expressed, creative people are creative problem solvers, and designers are positively responding to meeting challenges and incorporating sustainability into design.

  The Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s presentation by Rick Ridgeway stressed that a product’s sale price doesn’t capture the ‘externalised cost’ eg. how much water, fertilizer, waste etc. is involved. The SAC Index aims to give each product a score that includes the eco-impact not only as a footprint in a life-cycle perspective but including the whole bio-diversity and eco-system cost. SAC’s research has estimated that the global apparel & footwear industry has an externalised cost of a staggering $44 trillion – the SAC hopes the future will be: a t-shirt that harms the planet in its production will have a higher price tag reflecting these costs.

  Leading up to the conference, the Youth Fashion Summit was hosted by Dilys Williams, leader of the Centre for Sustainable Fashion, a great supporter of The Sustainable Angle. The youth summit culminated in ‘demands’ from the represented fashion schools to improve the future of the fashion industry and society.

  ‘We demand a link between the society of makers and the society of wearers – rebuild trust’

  Connie Hedegaard, the EU Commissioner for Climate Action, surmised that ‘we need to reinvent, redesign and reindustrialise our world’. She was presented with recommendations for sustainable fashion with specific focus on consumer engagement, in a bid to positively influence European legislation and business practice on sustainable fashion.

  Rick Ridgeway from Patagonia summed up progress when he said that Patagonia have used 100% organic cotton since 1996, and back then a response from one customer was ‘I don’t eat my cotton jeans’. He believes we have moved a long way in a short space of time, but it still is a long process to get people to recognise it’s not just what they put in their bodies, but on their bodies.

  Written by Charlotte Turner
  
  In April 2012, the pioneers behind the MADE-BY Track and Trace system invited The Sustainable Angle to present the Future Fabrics Expo to MADE-BY’s partner brands, and to share our thoughts on the future of fashion fabrics. The event was designed to enable brands and organisations to share information and experiences from the supply chain, whilst having the opportunity to see, feel, and learn more about new sustainable fibres in the sustainable fibre showroom. We had the pleasure of presenting along with C.L.A.S.S. Eco-Hub, another pioneering organisation promoting sustainable fibre use in the fashion and interiors sectors.

  Our Head Curator Amanda Johnston and Project Manager Charlotte Turner journeyed to Amsterdam to present the expo to a greatly receptive audience from the denim, performance, casual and formal fashion sectors, and were able to meet and hear from representatives from a wide range of brands.

  We were invited to showcase a diverse range of our fabrics with a lower environmental impact, including natural and man-made fabrics using organic, recycled and upcycled fibres, and a range of low impact processing systems and newly developed innovative fibres. We received a lot of interest for many of our fabrics, and very positive feedback which will help us assist others in sourcing sustainable fabrics.

  The day included thought provoking presentations from experts within the sustainable fashion industry on diverse topics including sustainable cotton label initiatives, wet processing, dyes and colour management at brand level, and regional topics including Solidaridad’s fair wage project in Bangladesh, Greenpeace’s Detox Campaign, and Solidaridad’s Cleaner Production Programme based in China.

  Visit www.made-by.org for more information.

  Written by Charlotte Turner

  The Sustainable Angle have been invited to present the Future Fabrics Expo at the MADE-BY partner conference in Amsterdam on April 17th 2012. We will be discussing ideas on the future of fashion fabrics, and past and upcoming Future Fabrics Expo events. A fabric showroom displaying Future Fabrics Expo samples will allow MADE-BY partner brands to gain a tactile experience of the latest commercially available sustainable fabrics.  

  written by Charlotte Turner

  The Sustainable Angle is a not for profit organisation which initiates and supports projects which contribute to minimising the environmental impact of industry and society.

   

  Our project The Future Fabrics Expo focuses on the fashion industry and how its environmental impact can be lowered through innovation in the textile industry, and novel ideas to transform the fashion system and design practice. 

   

  On November 7th – 9th 2012, the second Future Fabrics Expo organised by The Sustainable Angle, will again be hosted by the London College of Fashion with the support of the Centre for Sustainable Fashion. The curated expo will showcase a diverse range of individually selected fabrics, products and ideas related to lowering the environmental impact of the fashion supply chain.

  Future Fabrics Expo 2011

  More information about this event will follow soon, and you can visit our website to find out more about our event and other services.

  Along with our website, The Sustainable Angle’s latest news and events can now be read and shared here, at www.thesustainableangle.blogspot.co.uk. You can also join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Vimeo.