As the global consciousness surrounding environmental issues continues to rise, the fashion industry is undergoing a transformative shift towards sustainability. In 2024, we anticipate several key trends to flourish and propel the fashion industry towards a more eco-conscious and responsible future.
Circular Fashion and Second Life programs
Circular fashion is the concept of closing the production loop through recycling and upcycling, and it is gaining momentum in recent years (read more on the circular economy in this BEDI Studios article). Some predict that fashion companies will start investing in technology and infrastructure to streamline and monitor the process of disassembling garments, reclaiming valuable materials, and minimizing textile waste; solidifying the importance of a sustainable shift of behavior for both consumers and producers in 2024. The BEDI Studios team is proud to say that circular economy values are already embedded in our identity since its beginning; Our innovative Second Life program encourages our consumers to return their old garments ensuring that they will be recycled responsibly.Overproduction vs. on-demand
According to a WGSN report; approximately 45% of the produced garment inventory of fashion brands never even sees the stores, and goes straight to a landfill. This shockingly high number prompts further questions about why fashion industry brands would continue with their flawed prediction-based model when producing inventory. This polluting practice can now be replaced with demand-led models and data-informed buying practices.These more efficient practices may not only help counter the environmental consequences of fast-fashion production, they can also help decrease overproduction of a single brand anywhere from 5 to 15%. According to WGSN, collecting data gives brands confidence in their buying decisions, which also reduces excessive production.
From the beginning, BEDI Studios adopted these slow fashion concepts. We’re happy to see some other, larger fashion brands incorporating models that are less focused on overproduction, and more on the environment.
Transparency and Traceability
Transparency in the fashion supply chain is increasingly being analyzed by fashion consumers, and brands are responding by providing more information about their sourcing and production practices. In 2024, we anticipate an industry-wide focus on traceability, with companies making more of an effort to choose more sustainable options, and to ensure ethical production standards are met. This transparency will empower consumers to make informed choices and support brands that align with their values. (WGSN report)Buyers play a crucial role in supporting our mission to create a more transparent and ethical fashion industry. Consumer demands have a significant influence on the future of the fashion business– with an increased demand for transparency, fashion brands will have no choice but to implement higher standards for themselves and their suppliers, while monitoring the processes to give as much information to the customer as possible about the creation of their products.
Fashion Pact- Production and Sustainability
The Fashion Pact was founded in 2023 and since then has been signed by 60+ CEOs and 160+ fashion brands, which represents the positive commitment of a third of the fashion industry to make a lasting nature-positive change. The pact’s objective is for the committed brands to support practices involving net-zero pollution by 2025 by incorporating a sustainable dialogue to shift the fashion industry’s mindset of “more is more” to “less is more”. Isolating the problem helps brands to find effective alternatives to their current practices, which may be detrimental to the environment. It also reinforces the importance of sustainability in the industry, making the implementation of regulations and laws such as the EU Nature Restoration law and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive possible. This model helps us learn about the specific impacts of our actions, which may be detrimental to climate change (biodiversity) or social well-being (labour)
As we begin 2024, the fashion industry is being scrutinized more than ever, with sustainability emerging as a central theme. From circular fashion initiatives to alternative business practices and a focus on transparency, the predicted trends for the coming year indicate a collective commitment to creating a more eco-friendly and responsible fashion landscape. By embracing these sustainability trends, the industry has the potential to redefine its impact on the planet and inspire positive change in consumer behavior.
Since its 2019 launch, BEDI Studios has been committed to fostering a greener and more responsible future for fashion, and we’re excited that these anticipated trends align so well with our existing values.
