European Fashion Needs Specific Roadmaps, New Generation of Skilled Professionals

A report by the European Fashion Alliance (EFA) explores the region’s fashion industry, renowned for creativity and innovation, detailing the hurdles, opportunities, and strategies for advancing towards a more sustainable and technologically integrated future.

Long Story, Cut Short
  • 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.
  • A significant lack of knowledge, financial resources and human capacity are pressing as brands face increasingly stringent environmental and social regulations.
  • Brands need to address the public’s growing concerns about greenwashing and overproduction.
A report—Status of European Fashion—by the European Fashion Alliance 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.
Fashion change A report—Status of European Fashion—by the European Fashion Alliance 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. Louie Thain / MODALISBOA

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.

THE SUGGESTIONS: Among other things, the report has suggested pathways:

  • The industry can transition towards a more ethical, transparent, and sustainable business model by embracing new regulations, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and investing in workforce education.
  • Despite the strong will and desire to transform the industry from the inside and adopt sustainable practices, significant barriers hinder many brands from making substantial changes.
  • A significant lack of knowledge, financial resources and human capacity are pressing as brands face increasingly stringent environmental and social regulations.
  • Clear and standardised guidelines, as well as financial support and incentives to bridge the financial gap and invest in dedicated personnel to enable companies to adopt greener practices.
  • Industry-specific roadmaps that simplify compliance processes would help businesses align with sustainability goals more easily and avoid missteps.
  • Additionally, collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, and educators is key to navigating these complex changes.
  • Promote sustainability and circularity as a component of creativity rather than at its expense.
  • Establishing a truthful footprint data base for environmental impacts.
  • Address durability with a holistic approach.

THE METHODOLOGY: This report is the result of extensive research, collaboration, and forward-thinking strategies, providing a detailed overview of where the industry stands today and where it is and should be headed.

  • Based on a comprehensive methodology, it combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a robust analysis of the European fashion industry.
  • The quantitative data stems from a survey conducted with 211 industry representatives, carried out in collaboration with EFA’s 27 members. This survey aimed to capture a broad spectrum of insights across various perspectives of the fashion industry, ensuring a representative overview of current trends, challenges, and opportunities.
  • To deepen and contextualise the survey results, qualitative interviews featuring prominent industry opinion leaders and experts were conducted.

ABOUT EFA: Founded in 2022, the European Fashion Alliance (EFA) is the first transnational alliance of European fashion institutions and organisations, uniting creative fashion brands and houses, including both emerging and established designers.

  • EFA is a strong common voice advocating for and accelerating the transition of European fashion towards a more sustainable, innovative, inclusive and creative future.

WHAT THEY SAID

The complexities of the European fashion industry require a holistic approach—one that encompasses regulatory compliance, technological advancement, and talent development. By embracing genuine sustainability, leveraging emerging technologies, and investing in education and research, we can create a fashion industry that is not only profitable but also ethical, transparent, and sustainable for generations to come.

Scott Lipinski
Chairman / CEO
European Fashion Alliance / Fashion Council Germany

The State of European Fashion Report 2024
The State of European Fashion Report 2024
  • Publisher: European Fashion Alliance
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  • Dated posted: 9 December 2024
  • Last modified: 9 December 2024