The Round-Up is ZERRIN’s weekly news digest on the world of sustainability, fashion and beauty, keeping you up to date with all the latest updates worldwide. From reporting on the green moves of retail industry giants to uncovering the latest updates from emerging brands, innovations and ideas, we’ll be sharing it all in this dedicated weekly update!
1. Head Of Sustainability At H&M Group says ‘Post-Pandemic Fashion Will Be Sustainable And Affordable’.
With the decline of foot traffic in retail and recreation by more than 50 per cent in many countries, fashion and luxury have been the most afflicted segments of consumer goods and services. We’ve seen mass layoffs, factory closures and major brands and department stores such as J. Crew and Neiman Marcus filing for bankruptcy. So when fashion companies are trying to get back on their feet after such a feat, is sustainable operations an option? Apparently yes, according to Anna Gedda, the Head of Sustainability for H&M group.
With 80% of H&M’s 5000 stores worldwide were closed, Anna explains the most challenging aspect was the impact on their supply chain. There’s a lot of talk about environmental sustainability in tandem with economic recovery efforts, including job creation, especially concerning finances. In this case, Anna considers H&M will need to transition to a more circular business model by offering sustainably made clothes that are accessible to all. While H&M has its ‘conscious collections’, a take-back programme and now a B2B arm to help brands with a sustainable supply chain, the real question remains – mass producing thousands of SKUs, even with sustainable materials, can make products affordable, but can it truly be sustainable?
Read about the circular initiatives H&M has tried, tested and now implementing to move forward with their plan for circularity and transparency.
2. Garnier acts as L’Oreal’s guinea pig as parent company launches new sustainability agenda by 2025.
Beauty conglomerate, L’Oréal, is tackling climate change head-on with its new sustainability program called ‘L’Oréal for the Future’. It is a part of their sustainability plans for the coming decade. In this step, Garnier is set to be the trailblazer for the company, as it announces green energy and supply chain plans. The brand also promises to use greener, plant-based ingredients that have been sustainably sourced in their formulations. Additionally, Garnier will bring to action their digital carbon labelling system, where customers will be able to see L’Oreal products graded from A-E according to their environmental impact.
The parent company also aims to achieve carbon neutrality across all sites and brands by improving energy efficiency and using 100% renewable energy by 2025. By 2030, L’Oréal’s products’ packaging will no longer use virgin plastics and will be made from recycled or bio-based sources to reduce its entire greenhouse gas emissions.
Find out what’s in store for Garnier on their green beauty journey.
3. Is the pandemic jeopardising sustainability initiatives such as resale or secondhand? Analysts say the contrary.
As consumers have started to realise how important it is to address climate change due to the COVID-19 pandemic, brands (fast-fashion alike) are figuring out how to meet the environmental concerns of its core millennial and Gen Z customers. Even some brands such as Nordstrom and the Gap are jumping on the resale bandwagon through new partnerships with ThredUp. Analysts also predict the secondhand clothing market will overtake fast fashion during this decade.
One significant (and unsurprising) aspect of COVID-19’s impact on retail is that there is really no going back to ‘normal’. Secondhand’s popularity has been on the rise pre-pandemic, especially online according to ThredUp. It saw consumers spent 37 per cent more time on ThredUp’s site during lockdown than pre-COVID-19. So if anything, the pandemic has accelerated a trend that was anyway forward-facing.
Check out how COVID-19 potentially gave secondhand and resale a boost during the lockdown as consumers worried about finances and the planet’s health.
4. Fashion needs a paradigm shift now more than ever, and here 11 ways we can rethink the fashion industry.
Covid-19 has exposed all the flaws in the fashion industry, – from the cruel treatment of garment workers, excess textile pollution to the mass layoffs that have taken place these few months. It’s no secret that our existing fashion system has exploited people and planet in pursuit of maximising profits. So, how do we reimagine a more stable future of fashion, that is sustainable for the planet and the economy?
From investing in regenerative and circular systems to working towards an inclusive, safe and transparent supply chain, fashion’s new normal has to be future-proof, and people and planet-centred.
Read all about the 11 ways we can reimagine the industry to be once the dust settles.
5. WTF: What The Fabric! The secrets of Cotton uncovered
We wear cotton almost every day, but how much do we know about its impact? So we’re back with another Fabric 101 on all the things you need to know about what’s in your clothes. Cotton is popular for all the right reasons — it’s breathable, lightweight and natural. However, did you know cotton is extremely labour-intensive and has roots deep in the slave trade since the 1800s?
More so, cotton is one thirsty crop – it uses 2,700 litres to make one single tee. That’s one person’s drinking water for 3 years! Cotton production also requires a lot of land, (forced) labour and chemicals, which tends to take away from its ‘natural’ properties. As for organic cotton, while it’s safer for farmers, it doesn’t yield as much as pesticide-ridden, GMO cotton.
If you want to know more about cotton and its impacts, read our guide for the scoop.
6. Quench your thirst for vintage with these shops in Singapore
Whether you’re a retro fanatic or just tired of fast-fashion cookie-cutter styles, you might need some vintage retail therapy. Vintage is technically a subset of secondhand clothing. Usually, it refers to clothing at least 20 years old (a time when clothes lasted over a month). And with trends from the 70s, 80s and 90s continually returning to the runway, retro looks are gaining momentum for all the right reasons. More so, vintage doesn’t just mean full-skirt dresses and polka dot – there are vintage accessories and luxury handbags, graphic tees, and even some rare sports jackets and sneakers too.
Check out these Singaporean vintage stores for your vintage fix.
7. Maskne: What is it and how do you get rid of it?
Wearing masks when we’re out and about has become the new ‘normal’. But what isn’t feeling normal is how zitty it’s leaving our skin and we’re left to deal with a new issue – maskne. But, what is maskne anyway? In short, the little pimples, blemishes or acne and perioral dermatitis that come about from contact with your mask are called maskne. It typically gets worse in humidity (hello Singapore), heat and exercise. However, you don’t need to ditch your PPE to prevent or make your maskne go away. Instead, just change up some simple habits, go easy on the skincare and your face will thank you for it.
Suffering from skin irritation or zits from masks? Have a look at our tips and recommendations to solve your maskne problems.
