Building a Sustainable Fashion Ecosystem

At this year's Women & Worth Summit, Eva Crouse led a discussion with panelists Caroline Brown, Kristy Caylor, and Elizabeth Layne about the fashion industry's path to sustainability. The dialogue centered on shifting from a linear economy, where materials become waste, to a circular one that reuses and recycles resources.

Brown, Managing Director at Closed Loop Partners, highlighted the impact of this transition, stating that 70% of climate change challenges could be tackled by a circular economy. She underscored the urgent need for change, as the fashion industry is responsible for significant global landfill, emissions, and water waste.

Caylor's company, For Days, offers a solution through its “Take Back Bag” program. Customers fill a bag with unwanted items, return it for recycling, and earn credit for future purchases. Through this program, 95% of goods shipped back to For Days stay out of landfills. Layne discussed programs that assess the value of luxury items, guarantee buy-backs, and promote smarter consumption.

The road to a circular economy is fraught with challenges. Brown spoke about the complex and unregulated fashion supply chain, providing both problems and exciting opportunities for investors.

The mindset of consumers also needs to change. Layne emphasized the need for consumers to evaluate what they already own before buying something new, and Rebag's annual report aims to assist in this process.

Closing the panel, Caylor and Brown offered advice. Caylor urged consideration of a product's full life cycle, while Brown pushed for extended usage of garments and encouraged people to "shop your own closet sometimes."

The fashion industry faces considerable challenges in sustainability, but innovative solutions and changing mindsets are making significant strides toward positive transformation.