Understanding the Circular Economy in fashion

An in-depth look at how circular economy principles are transforming the fashion industry.

Understanding the Circular Economy in fashion

The linear model explained

For decades, the fashion industry has relied on a traditional linear economy: produce, consume, and discard. People create, purchase, and often throw away clothing after minimal use, which contributes to waste, pollution, and resource depletion. This take-make-waste system has led to landfills overflowing with textiles and immense pressure on the environment.

📊 Did you know? The global fashion industry produces 92 million tonnes of textile waste annually – the equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothes being dumped every second.

As climate change gets worse and people become more eco-friendly, this old model is being questioned. Enter the circular economy – a sustainable alternative that focuses on reducing waste, reusing materials, and regenerating resources.

Circular Economy explained

At its core, the circular economy in fashion aims to create a system where clothing never becomes waste. Instead of a single-use journey, fashion products follow a loop: designers create them to be reused, repaired, and recycled.

Key principles of a circular economy in fashion include:

1. Designing for Longevity: creating high-quality products that last longer.
2. Repair and Restoration: encouraging mending, altering, and refreshing clothing to extend its lifespan.
3. Reuse and Rental: keeping clothes in circulation through resale platforms, clothing swaps, and rental services.
4. Recycling Materials: breaking down textiles to create new products and reduce reliance on virgin materials.

This change is not only about sustainability, but about how we see fashion. We should view fashion as a valuable resource, not as something to throw away.

How can we contribute?

Both brands and individuals play a crucial role in accelerating the shift toward circular fashion.

For Brands:

• Adopt circular design practices.
• Launch resale, rental, and take-back programs.
• Invest in recycling technologies and sustainable materials.

For Consumers:

• Buy less, but better: invest in durable, high-quality pieces that last.
• Repair and repurpose: extend the life of your clothing through repairs or DIY projects;
• Rent or buy secondhand: opt for pre-loved pieces or explore rental options for special occasions;
• Donate: give your unwanted clothing a new life instead of discarding it.