ECO AGE

January – time to get your sweat on. But if it’s a health kick you’re after, you may want to re-examine your wardrobe and swap the petrochemical-heavy performance wear for toxic-free alternatives. A recent study by the University of Birmingham proved for the first time that PFAS– the forever chemicals building up in our environment with links to cancer, hormone disruption and low infant birth weight – can be absorbed from clothing through the skin. This is particularly problematic for sportswear, which relies on numerous invisible coatings and finishes containing PFAS to enhance performance characteristics. Sportswear is tight, absorbs sweat and rubs directly against the skin - maximising our exposure to toxic chemicals. But alternatives do exist. From biomaterials, such as Nanoloom - a non toxic, biodegradable alternative to Elastene - to Community Clothing’s 100% natural, biodegradable sportswear collection, there are a multitude of innovative biomaterials and natural fabrics out there that are both high-performance and kind to your health. Read the full story by Tiffanie Darke here eco-age.com/new-year-healt…

As consumer behaviour continues to shift, there’s an increasing demand for transparent data-backed claims from brands and increasing value. People are looking to invest in quality and longevity, opting for brands rooted in storytelling and connection. Disposability culture is out. Fluffy language and deceptive sustainability marketing is out.  Fashion made in exploitative conditions at the expense of people and the planet is out. Reconnecting to our clothing and prioritising brands that uphold ethical practices, conscious materials and slow production is in. Fashion that carries stories of positive impact and empowerment rather than exploitation and extraction is in. Join us in making 2026 a year of transformation in the fashion industry. #EcoAge #FashionForAFuture #insandouts #2026

For the fashion industry, out of sight too often means out of mind. This means that certain indiscretions can easily fly under the radar, particularly when it comes to the human element of the global supply chain. A fresh chain of landmark rulings in Bangladesh, however, could soon change all that for the better. Read the full story here: eco-age.com/landmark-rulin… #Bangladesh #GarmentWorkers #FairWages #TradeUnion

COP30 was punctuated by a heavy presence from fossil fuel lobbyists, protests led by Indigenous groups and the breakout of a fire, with heavy symbolism of what is to come, if countries and corporates continue to drag their heels on climate action. Although no deal on a plan to phase out fossil fuel made it to the final draft, key themes emerged that were relevant for the fashion industry. Read the full storyhere: eco-age.com/cop30-didnt-de… #COP30 #Fashion #FashionEmissions #GarmentIndustry

Delhi-based slow fashion label Péro, founded by designer Aneeth Arora, has just launched its first homeware collection and it’s made entirely from preserved fabric archives from the brands previous fashion collections. Instead of producing new fabric to venture into homeware, the brand has exclusively repurposed their leftover fabrics that have been stored since 2009. Slowly crafting, across a five year period, patchwork quilts, curtains, cushions and throws. Photographs by Abhishek Khedekar

Black Friday, once a single day of discounts is now a month-long affair as corporations slash prices on mass-produced items, creating an illusion of savings while maximising profits. Read the full story here: eco-age.com/black-friday-e… #BlackFriday

The first of Eco Age’s independent research shows consumers want proof of sustainable practices. As a leading sustainable fashion platform, we reached out to our community of conscious consumers and fair fashion advocates to build new insights into how conscious consumers are shaping fashion today.   Our findings revealed that 81% of consumers research brand ethics before making a purchase, while 90% said they would boycott a company that was associated with unfair treatment of workers or environmentally damaging practices.  The conscious consumer isn’t a niche demographic or a passing trend - it’s the new mainstream. Brands that succeed will be the brands that can demonstrate, with rigorous evidence, that their commitments are real.   Explore the full story here eco-age.com

Skims has released a panty advent calendar. But priced at nearly £500, it’s essentially 25 doors that open to plastic underwear. Of the four collections of Skim’s signature fabrics in the calendar, only one is cotton. The rest are made from polyamide, nylon and elastane. Petrochemical-derived synthetic materials that can be toxic to your skin and the production of which significantly contributes to environmental degradation. Recently, Skims launched the ‘ultimate bush’ thong made from 82% polyamide and 18% elastane. Profiting from beauty standards by once again selling fossil fuel-derived materials that sit against your skin and can be toxic to wear. In 2023, Skims turned the climate crisis into a marketing ploy with the ‘Ultimate Nipple Bra’ In an effort to seem philanthropic, the brand donated 10% of proceeds to 1% For The Planet  - a charitable act completely undermined by Skim’s over-reliance on synthetic materials and opaque supply chain practices. From the Ultimate Bush to the Ultimate Nipple Bra to the Seamless Sculpt Face Wrap mimicking post-surgery recovery, Skims capitalise on female beauty standards through trend-chasing products made from unsustainable materials in an opaque supply chain. The Skims Advent Calendar is yet another product range the planet doesn’t need. #Skims #Skimsbush #KimKardashian #skimsshapewear

According to new Kantar data, while 85% of people want to make more sustainable choices, only 29% say they are actively changing their behaviours. This divide is known as the Value–Action Gap. The gap exists because consumers still perceive sustainable options as inferior in terms of quality, performance, design, and affordability. They also feel brands are not following through on their sustainability promises. Read the full story here eco-age.com/consumer-attit… #sustainablefashion #consumption

The future of fashion may not come to us from the lab at all. It may be happening somewhere much less obvious: on the farm. From apples and bananas to hemp and wetland plants – farmed crops have become the forefront of positive change in the fashion industry. With a new cohort of next-generation material outfits looking directly to nature for their inspiration and their innovation, Eco Age spoke with leading voices in the space to find out why. Read the full story here: eco-age.com/farmed-fashion… #FarmtoFashion #EcoAge

Textile recycling was set up to fail by an industry dead set against change, pushing quantity and profit above all else. But with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation now taking effect in the EU could the days of mindless mass production finally be numbered? Read the full story by Karl Smith-Eloise here: eco-age.com/fashion-recycl… #EPR #TextileRecycling

Manchester Fashion Week’s self-assured revival marks the beginning of a whole new chapter, showcasing an impactful, sustainability-driven ethos that has eluded major fashion weeks like London and New York.   With a clear commitment to progress, MFW’s comeback highlights Manchester’s position as a leader for forward-thinking fashion. Read the full story here: eco-age.com/manchester-fas…

Fashion designer Drew Kent opens Manchester Fashion Week Day 1 with the SS26 Adora Flora Capsule Collection. Rooted in the design style of ‘Eco-Fabulous Queer Maximalism, Drew‘s collection consists of primarily crochet and knit created from eco and sustainable materials. The pieces carry forward a language of craft and pride, translating it into a form of self-expression that celebrates queerness through colour, texture, and playfulness. Photographs by Ines Bahr for Eco Age #Manchesterfashionweek #DrewKent #Slowfashion #Sustainability #Fashion #FashionWeek #MFW

Giorgio Armani, one of the industries most influential designers, has passed at the age of 91 leaving behind a powerful legacy. Over the course of five decades, Armani transformed the industry, redefining power dressing for women while bringing softness and sophistication to men’s tailoring. All while remaining true to his core values and his unwavering vision of timeless elegance. Armani’s entry into fashion was unconventional, entering the industry at 40, following earlier careers in medicine and the military. But his relatively late start only underscored the depth of his vision. He proved that it was never too late to pursue one’s vision, and in doing so, he built not only a globally recognised brand, but also an empire that reshaped the fashion landscape. In his final interview with the Financial Times, Armani reflected on his legacy: “If what I created 50 years ago is still appreciated by an audience that wasn’t even born at the time, this is the ultimate reward.” The influential Armani legacy will continue to live on. #GiorgioArmani #Armani #news #EcoAge

This week’s sustainable fashion good news: 🟢 For the opening night of the Venice Film Festival, Cate Blanchett opted for outfit repeating, rewearing an Armani Privé Dress that she first wore at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2022. 🟢 The European Chemicals Agency has expanded its proposed ban on PFAS, also known as ‘Forever Chemicals’ to 8 other industrial and commercial categories, including technical textiles. This means chemical finishes used in performance clothing and outdoor gear, such as water-repellence, could be phased out or restricted. This is great news for phasing out toxic fashion. 🟢 The Alterist is popping up at Reselfridges to kick of Secondhand September, transforming it into a live working studio and showroom for upcycled fashion and live customisations

As well as our incisive journalism and honest reporting, we are a purpose-driven sustainable fashion and beauty consultancy to brands we believe in. We want to know - who are your favourite conscious fashion and beauty brands that are doing things differently? If you believe in what they do, we’d love to work with them. If you’re a brand that wants to work with us please get in touch at hello@eco-age.com for a free consultation on how we can amplify your sustainability story. #EcoAge #Sustainablefashion #consultancy

Manchester-based designer Mariusz Malon - founder of Malon Fashion - is bringing his innovative wearable art to Manchester Fashion Week with a new collection. Kicking off on September 9, the Manchester Fashion Week rebirth isn’t just a reanimated version of its predecessor. Instead, it’s aiming to be something much bigger – a clear voice, cutting through the noise of the fashion industry, pushing vital topics like sustainability to the fore. Mariusz Malon – a Polish-born graduate of Manchester Fashion Institute and a proud resident of the city – stands out as a clear example of what the rebooted MFW is working to achieve. Often working with what he already has in his studio, transforming textile scraps and discarded materials into genderless wearable art forms. Read the full interview with Mariusz Malon at eco-age.com/mariusz-malon-…

Every year, a staggering 24 billion pairs of shoes are produced globally. In that same period, 22 billion pairs are discarded —most ending up in landfill. The world doesn’t need more shoes produced from virgin materials; it needs smarter solutions that repurpose what already exists. Allbirds—the global footwear brand known for innovating trainers with natural materials like wool and wood pulp has released the Remix Line in a major pivot away from natural fibres and toward fully recycled materials. Partnering with Circ and Blumaka, Allbirds has created trainers made from discarded clothing and shoe manufacturing waste. #EcoAge #CircularDesign #RecycledTextiles