At a pivotal moment where sustainability, technological innovation, and talent development must converge to secure a strong future for the European fashion sector, a comprehensive report while outlining the hurdles contends that the potential for positive change is equally vast and has come up with a slew of suggestions.
- The report—Status of European Fashion—by the European Fashion Alliance (EFA) underscores the urgency of change within the European fashion industry and provides a roadmap for how industry stakeholders can collaborate to build a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive future.
- It suggests industry-specific roadmaps that simplify compliance processes, collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, and educators to navigate the complex changes.
STATUS OF EUROPEAN FASHION: The European fashion industry is undergoing transformative changes, driven by the urgency for sustainability, technological advancements, and educational needs. The sector at large faces increasing regulatory and societal pressure to address environmental impacts, adopt new technologies, and train a workforce equipped to handle future demands.
- The European fashion sector is at a critical juncture, facing urgent demands for sustainability, technological innovation, and the cultivation of a new generation of skilled professionals.
- The challenges are immense, ranging from the need to align with evolving regulations to embracing the digital transformation, yet the potential for positive change is equally vast.
- There is widespread recognition of the negative public perception of the fashion industry, largely driven by concerns about ethics and sustainability, driven by profitable business models promoting rapid consumption at the expense of quality and value. Restoring trust in Europe’s textile industry has become a crucial endeavour now.
KEY CONCERNS: The problem areas include:
- Environmental impact;
- Overproduction and quality in the fashion industry;
- Social aspects solutions;
- Improving sustainable business models in the industry;
- Educating consumers about the environmental impacts of their purchases and the roles of quality and craftsmanship as critical to sustainability;
- Brands need to address the public’s growing concerns about greenwashing and overproduction;
- Transparency in production practices.
KEY FINDINGS: The report unearthed some facts:
- The ‘Made in Europe’ label has been proposed as a potential solution to help. About 64% of respondents believe it could help reduce the fashion industry‘s carbon footprint.
- 88% of responding organisations said they invested financial or human resources into sustainability-related activities. Primary focus areas include sourcing responsible materials (64%) and improving product quality and durability (66%).
- 59% of companies said they still lack the tools or support for high-quality practices needed to transition to a more sustainable business.
- 75% report that they don’t use innovative solutions to ensure product traceability.
- 56% of participating organisations have implemented recycling or reuse programmes to reduce the waste generated from their value chain.
- The most common strategies for keeping products in circulation or extending their lifespan include repair services (58%), redesign, and upcycling (46%).
- The use of innovative, lower-impact materials is another primary focus. 62% of companies use innovative lower-impact materials such as recycled textiles or bio-based fibres.
- Recycled textiles are the most commonly used (42%), followed by semi-synthetic fabrics (33%), leather alternatives (15%), and other innovative fibres (11%).
- Digitisation is reshaping the fashion industry, offering new opportunities for efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. 46% of organisations said that technology and innovation are key drivers for their fashion-related business.
- Addressing the talent gap in the fashion industry is a critical challenge, especially as the industry evolves rapidly due to technological advancements, changing consumer behaviours, and increased emphasis on sustainability. The shortage of skilled workers is a growing concern, with universities often striving to keep pace with market demands.
