The second year of the pandemic made it clear: It is not possible without sustainability; the industry has to renew and innovate. In 2021 there were a number of collaborations, initiatives and commitments that will continue in 2022 and beyond. What is needed now is real change and goals that work seriously and long-term towards such a change; it is too late for empty promises. FashionUnited has once again put together the most important sustainability initiatives of 2021; decide for yourself which one is your favorite.
January 2021
New year, new luck: As the efforts of the fashion industry in January 2021 prove, brands and retailers leave nothing to chance, but rather continue their sustainability efforts steadily as part of their growth plans. Also this month there were collaborations like those of Inditex and MIT, Gerry Weber with the University of Hanover and Miu Miu with Levi’s. More sustainable collections and products such as those from Desigual, Lee, H&M, Adidas, Stella McCartney and Olymp are also on the rise. FashionUnited found 20 sustainable initiatives this month.
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February 2021
While January was characterized by cooperations, February was more cautious in this regard. In return, shoe brands such as Allbirds, Genesis and Doghammer did their best with sustainable, vegan or upcycled products. Fashion is also becoming more circular, as brands such as Iris von Arnim, Qwstion and H&M have shown. FashionUnited found 19 sustainable initiatives in February 2021.
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March 2021
The sustainability efforts of the industry, which are now more and more often seen as a “must have” in order to survive in the market, will also continue in March. Textile innovation is still at the top, including materials made from mushroom leather like Stella McCartney, more environmentally friendly sneakers like Ecoalf, Adidas and Good News, and better and cleaner dyeing methods, for example with bacteria. But it should also become more sustainable in fashion education. FashionUnited found 20 sustainable initiatives in March 2021.
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April 2021
In April, too, the fashion industry worked hard when it came to sustainability efforts. Denim brands and manufacturers such as Armedangels and Soorty in particular show that circularity has become a reality. Technological developments make it possible to manufacture tailor-made products in small quantities and at competitive prices, which make it unnecessary to resort to fast fashion. And bio-based materials are still finding their way. FashionUnited presented 29 sustainable initiatives this month.
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May 2021
In May it was encouraging to see how many manufacturers and brands like On, Arc’teryx, Allbirds and Asket are now worrying about how their products will do at the end of their life – the days of “wear & throw” seem final counted. There are also efforts on a national and international level, as the upcoming Environment Week in Germany shows; Denmark will also lead the way in circular fashion and the Netherlands will make retailers responsible for collecting and recycling used clothes from the year after next. FashionUnited presented 28 sustainable initiatives in May 2021.
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June 2021
Even after the half of 2021 is over, there was no sign of a slowdown in the industry – on the contrary. Trade fairs are picking up again and the topic of sustainability is also being discussed in many places. In June brands and retailers cooperated in the second-hand sector and innovations became futuristic with clothes made from algae and shoes made from coffee grounds or mushroom leather. Should the industry be able to leave a more responsible industry to the next generation? FashionUnited presented 33 sustainable initiatives that go in this direction.
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July 2021
There can be no question of the summer slump in the sustainability efforts of the fashion industry. On the contrary – FashionUnited took the opportunity to present sustainable brands whose products think of the environment – be it in the area of children’s fashion, jewelry or sneakers. In addition, the Frankfurt Fashion Week took place at the beginning of the month, which is also committed to more sustainability in the European fashion industry. Read through 31 sustainable initiatives in July 2021.
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August 2021
Also this summer month, the fashion industry took off in its sustainability efforts – from partnerships in terms of products and practices to sustainable marketplaces that make it easier for their customers to shop, and innovative clothing, shoes and dyeing methods, everything was there. Read through 35 sustainable initiatives August brought.
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September 2021
September was also exciting in terms of sustainability efforts in the fashion industry. Allbirds prepared the first sustainable IPO, while Vestiaire Collective was named B Corp. Unless, AE77 and Alter Made are sustainable labels that were launched, and brands such as Hessnatur, Miomojo, Arket, Gerry Weber and others rely on sustainable collections and innovations. FashionUnited highlighted 27 sustainable initiatives this month.
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October 2021
In October, the industry once again confirmed that it is pursuing the maxim “together strongly” – new initiatives such as “Make the Label Count”, Cozec or ORCC and collaborations between brands such as Recover and Polopiqué, Spinnova and Icebreaker, Ikea and der appeared H&M Group or Mytheresa and Vestiaire Collective. But brands and retail companies such as Filippa K, Ganni and Fashionette also showed their strengths alone with product innovations, greener corporate management or resale initiatives. Read through the 33 sustainable measures of the month.
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November 2021
November was characterized by important events: on the one hand there was COP26, but also the trade congress 2021 and the DTB annual conference, all of which made sustainability the focus. On the brand side, the French brand Jean Fil managed to grow cotton in France and thus control its entire value chain. Vegan is the trend, as such clothing, bags and sneakers prove, but also lending and reselling clothing. Read through 37 sustainable initiatives of the month.
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December 2021
At the end of the year, the fashion industry once again showed its best side in terms of sustainability efforts: From new dyeing systems, recycled materials and a dress from the textile printer to the abandonment of animal materials and innovative approaches to solving the size problem and new ones Sustainability platforms were all there. FashionUnited presented 20 sustainable measures at the end of the year.
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