Running a fashion business is a busy hustle. When you’re designing, creating, making, marketing, and wearing all the hats, it's hard to find time to stay on top of industry news too. Trends can be a challenge, especially if you're running a slow fashion business. You don’t have to follow them, but you do need to be aware of them—to ensure you’re not falling behind in the industry.
I want to make running an ethical, sustainable, handmade, or circular fashion business as easy as possible for you, so you can increase your sales and expand your impact. If we’re going to succeed as a slow fashion community, we have to stay informed and connected—together.
I want to give you the tools and support I wish I had when I was starting out, so you can skip the years of struggle I went through and fast-track your slow fashion business success. The world needs more sustainable businesses to succeed if we’re ever going to tip the scales against fast fashion. I want to help you spend less time on admin and more time doing what you love—bringing your designs to life, making an impact, and changing the world with your fashion business.
So, every week, I release The TFA Weekly, a roundup of the latest industry news, trends, innovations, and all things fashion technology, all in one place—so you don’t have to spend hours online, reading when you could be making, to make sure you're not missing anything important.
I pull together the latest news from the top ten most trusted fashion news publications, and I've done the hard work for you. No more searching, no more fact-checking, no more trawling—just everything you need to stay in the loop and keep your business moving forward, right here with The TFA Weekly...
Ragtrader: Melbourne fashion upcycler HoMie hits three-tonne milestone.
Reborn by HoMie, a Melbourne-based brand known for its upcycling initiatives, has now repurposed over 5,000 garments, totalling three tonnes of upcycled textiles. This milestone is part of their collaboration with Champion, and the limited-edition collection features gender-neutral items created from excess stock. HoMie continues to focus on reducing fashion waste and empowering disadvantaged youth through employment and mentoring.
If you're running a slow fashion business, this news can be turned into a growth strategy. It’s a great example of how collaboration with larger brands can amplify your impact and boost visibility. Partnering with like-minded brands can open new doors and help your sustainability efforts reach a wider audience.
Women's Wear Daily: Luxury brands see sales boom in Asia despite economic slowdown.
While much of the world grapples with economic uncertainty, luxury brands are flourishing in Asia. High-end labels like Gucci and Louis Vuitton are seeing significant growth, thanks to the region’s affluent consumer base. Brands are tailoring their offerings to local preferences, ensuring continued success despite the slowdown in other markets.
If you're running a slow fashion business, this news can be turned into a growth strategy. The success of luxury brands highlights the importance of understanding your market. Even in challenging times, knowing your audience’s desires—like the demand for quality, unique pieces—can help your brand stay resilient.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Fashion brands pledge commitment to circular economy principles.
Several leading fashion brands have signed a commitment to adopt circular economy principles by 2030. This includes designing products that can be reused or recycled, reducing waste, and implementing take-back programs. The move is part of a larger push for sustainable practices that aim to reduce the environmental toll of fashion.
If you're running a slow fashion business, this news can be turned into a growth strategy. If you’re focusing on slow fashion, aligning with circular economy principles could enhance your brand’s sustainability credentials. It’s a powerful way to differentiate yourself and meet growing consumer demand for eco-conscious products.
Global Fashion Agenda: Brands face new pressure on ESG standards.
Fashion brands are under increased scrutiny to improve their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Consumers and investors alike are demanding greater transparency and accountability in everything from carbon emissions to ethical sourcing. Those that fail to step up risk losing consumer trust and investment opportunities.
If you're running a slow fashion business, this news can be turned into a growth strategy. Prioritising ESG from the start can help future-proof your business. By integrating sustainability and ethical practices into your operations now, you’ll be ahead of the curve as these standards become non-negotiable.
The Business Of Fashion: Resale platforms surge in popularity as fast fashion faces backlash.
Resale platforms like Depop and ThredUp are seeing a boom as consumers increasingly favour second-hand fashion over fast fashion. This shift is largely driven by growing environmental awareness and a desire for unique, sustainable pieces. The rise in resale reflects a broader consumer trend toward more responsible fashion consumption.
If you're running a slow fashion business, this news can be turned into a growth strategy. Offering resale or repair options can help you build customer loyalty and expand your brand’s lifecycle. Consider integrating these elements into your broader business plan to cater to the rising demand for conscious consumption.
Fashion Revolution: Fashion Transparency Index 2024 released.
The latest Fashion Transparency Index ranks global brands on their transparency regarding supply chains, environmental impact, and labour practices. The report encourages brands to improve their disclosures and hold themselves accountable to consumers, particularly in areas like fair wages and sustainable sourcing.
If you're running a slow fashion business, this news can be turned into a growth strategy. Transparency is becoming a key driver of consumer trust. Sharing details about your production process and ethical practices can build stronger connections with conscious consumers.
Forbes: Is AI in fashion a threat to traditional design careers?
AI is playing a growing role in fashion design, creating everything from patterns to entire collections. While some designers fear it could replace creative jobs, others see it as a tool to enhance the design process by freeing up time for more strategic, creative thinking.
If you're running a slow fashion business, this news can be turned into a growth strategy. As AI takes on more technical tasks, you can focus on the craftsmanship and storytelling that set slow fashion apart. Incorporating technology could also make your production process more efficient without sacrificing creativity. If you're struggling to stay on top of content, writing blogs, and marketing, reach out. I've built a suite of ethical AI tools to do these text-heavy tasks for you so you can spend less time in the office and more time doing what you love.
Tune in next week for your weekly instalment of The TFA Weekly. You can also reach out if you need more than news to grow your eco fashion brand. I have over a decade of industry experience running and building sustainable fashion businesses, and I've worked with hundreds of brands to increase their sales and increase their impact.
Contact me here for mentoring, coaching or help with my online courses to grow your fashion business.
Claire.
