Hello Slow Fashionistas,

We hope you’re doing well and finding moments to reconnect with what matters most, whether that’s your community, your values, your wardrobe, or the planet we all share.

Every piece of clothing tells a story, not only about where it came from, but also about the choices we make every day. From the fabrics we wear to the items we keep, repair, donate, or replace, our wardrobes are shaped by countless decisions that often go unnoticed.

Recently, our community has explored topics ranging from upcycling and repair culture to textile recycling, biodiversity, circular fashion, and the environmental impact of materials. Together, these conversations remind us that sustainability is not a single action, but a series of small decisions that influence how clothing is produced, used, and valued.

As we continue these conversations, we are invited to look beyond garments themselves and reflect on our relationship with fashion. By becoming more aware of the systems behind our clothing, and the habits that shape our choices, we can take meaningful steps toward a more thoughtful, connected, and sustainable future.

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🎙️ Slow Fashion Tea – Season 2 Begins

We’re excited to share that Slow Fashion Tea is back for Season 2!

🪡 Slow Fashion Tea – Episode 1

In the first episode of the season, Owen Taylor from the Slow Fashion Movement team sat down with Tyler Chanel, a former fast fashion model turned slow fashion and sustainability content creator.

Their conversation explored how we can build a more conscious relationship with fashion by questioning shopping habits, practicing self-reflection, and finding new ways to appreciate what we already own. Tyler also shared practical ideas such as thrifting, mending, using digital wardrobe apps like Indyx, and creatively extending the life of garments.

Curious to hear more? Watch the full conversation below.

Watch Episode 1

🪡 Slow Fashion Tea – Episode 2

In the second episode of Slow Fashion Tea, Puja from the Slow Fashion Movement team spoke with Orsola de Castro, co-founder of Fashion Revolution and founder of My Mender, about the transformative power of mending.

The conversation explored how repairing and caring for our clothes can help us slow down, challenge overconsumption, and develop a deeper sense of ownership and connection to the garments we wear. Orsola also shared how mending can become a creative practice that celebrates the uniqueness and stories behind our clothes.

Curious to hear more of Orsola’s insights on repair culture, ownership, and the value of caring for our clothes? Watch the full conversation below.

Watch Episode 2

Interested in learning more about mending and repair culture?

Visit @my.mender

Over the past few editions, we’ve invited our community to participate in polls and share their perspectives on topics featured in our newsletters and discussions taking place across the fashion industry.

Looking back at these responses gives us an opportunity to better understand the ideas, concerns, and reflections that are shaping our community. These insights help us see how conversations around fashion, sustainability, and consumer habits continue to evolve as we learn and grow together.

Here are the results from some of our recent community polls:

👗 Is fashion becoming more stable or more unpredictable?

A majority of respondents feel the fashion industry is becoming increasingly unpredictable, reflecting the rapid changes taking place across supply chains, consumer behavior, regulations, and sustainability expectations.

• 56% — More unpredictable

• 39% — Not sure yet

• 6% — More stable

🌳 Should the leather industry be exempt from deforestation laws?

A clear majority of respondents believe the leather industry should remain subject to deforestation regulations, demonstrating support for transparency and environmental accountability within fashion supply chains.

• 83% — No

• 9% — Yes

• 9% — Not sure / Need more information

A big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to vote and share their thoughts. Your participation helps make these conversations more meaningful and gives us valuable insight into the perspectives within our community.

We hope even more Slow Fashionistas will join future polls and reflections. This edition includes two quick questions below, and we'd love to hear what you think!

Social Media and Algorithms: The Digital Force Shaping the Fashion Industry

By Laura-Sophie Neubert

Algorithms influence much more than we may realize. From the content that appears in our social media feeds to the products recommended while we shop online, these invisible systems shape our preferences, purchasing decisions, and even the fashion trends that surround us.

In her latest blog, Laura-Sophie Neubert explores how algorithms contribute to the rapid rise of microtrends, influence consumption habits, and impact the fashion industry as a whole. She also shares practical ways to create a more intentional digital environment that better reflects our values and supports more conscious consumption.

Curious about how your digital habits may be influencing your wardrobe choices?

Read the full blog!

Upcyclers x Slow Fashion Movement

We’re excited to share a new collaboration with Upcyclers, an end-to-end platform dedicated to upcycling.

Upcyclers brings the entire journey into one place, empowering creators to transform discarded materials and secondhand clothing into one-of-a-kind pieces and even scalable businesses. From learning and sourcing materials to designing, connecting with a global community, and selling through a dedicated marketplace, the platform is built to support every step of the process.

It’s a space where creativity meets purpose, turning inspiration into income and waste into opportunity.

Turn Waste Into Opportunity

Learning Resources

Explore Slow Fashion Movement’s collection of ebooks, guides, and reports designed to inspire a more conscious relationship with fashion.

From greenwashing and transparency to circular fashion and personal style, there’s something for every stage of your journey.

Read our ebooks!

Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

We would like to start by saying a huge thank you for the overwhelming response to apply for the Learning Lab Spring Batch 2026. We are truly inspired by the enthusiasm, passion, and commitment shown by our global community.

If you missed the application deadline or are still considering joining Learning Lab, there will be another opportunity. The next batch will be the Autumn Batch, running from September to November 2026.

The official announcement for the Autumn Batch will be shared soon, so stay tuned for updates and application details. In the meantime, if you would like to express your interest, feel free to reach out to us at learninglab@slowfashion.global

We look forward to continuing this journey of learning, collaboration, and impact together.

Stay informed about upcoming Learning Lab announcements.

Follow us on Instagram

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labor practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Let's keep learning, reflecting, and growing together,
Karen Zolá 💖

SFM Newsletter Team:

Chloé, Karen, Basil & Sangeeta

Hello Slow Fashionistas,

As we head into the second half of the year, April and May have brought us to a critical crossroads in the sustainable fashion movement. The last two months have perfectly illustrated the growing tension between the rapid, grassroots innovation happening on the ground and the intense corporate lobbying happening behind closed doors.

On one hand, the cultural shift toward circularity has never been more vibrant. We are seeing incredible leaps in how we consume and create—from high-fashion red carpets spotlighting ocean plastics to local street festivals celebrating the radical act of visible mending. Coupled with massive technological consolidations in supply chain tracking, it is clear that the tools and the cultural appetite for a transparent fashion ecosystem are fully here.

Yet, as our policy breakdown below will show, the fight for systemic accountability is far from over. With controversial legislative loopholes now threatening to exempt highly impactful materials like leather from vital deforestation tracking, our collective voice is needed now more than ever. In this edition, we break down the most significant global happenings from the past two months, bringing you the news, the nuances, and the exact steps you can take to hold the industry accountable.

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1. Monthly Fashion Roundup

While policy happens in courtrooms, the culture of slow fashion is built in our communities, supply chains, and boardrooms. Here is what shifted in the culture and business space over the last two months:

• The Shocking Acquisition: Shein Buys Everlane: In arguably the most talked-about retail news of the spring, ultra-fast-fashion brand Shein acquired Everlane—the brand that built its identity on “radical transparency.” Everlane was facing mounting debt as consumer fatigue set in. While Everlane’s CEO claims the brand will operate independently, the slow-fashion community is grappling with the uncomfortable reality of an ethical pioneer being absorbed by a fast-fashion.

• Sustainable Couture at the Cannes Film Festival: The red carpet saw a distinct shift toward conscious luxury. Indian entrepreneurs Mohini Sharma and Yukti Arya made global headlines by using the high-profile event for environmental advocacy. Sharma walked the carpet in a stunning, ocean-inspired couture gown crafted entirely from recycled ocean waste plastic, proving that high fashion and circularity belong on the world's biggest stages.

• Carbonfact Acquires Vaayu: In a massive consolidation of fashion sustainability tech, carbon management software Carbonfact acquired the Berlin-based AI impact platform Vaayu. This merger creates a single, comprehensive product-level environmental dataset for over 300 global brands, helping them accurately track carbon footprints and prepare for upcoming Digital Product Passport (DPP) laws.

• The UK's Bio-Textile Boom: At an Imperial College London summit, industry experts highlighted the rapid scaling of bio-textiles. Standout innovations included Ponda, which turns bullrushes grown on regenerated wetlands into bio-puff insulation, and Epoch Biodesign, a startup using AI-engineered enzymes to break down and recycle previously unrecyclable nylon.

2. Policy & Industry Updates

Kering’s “ReconKering” Strategy to Cut Leather

During its Capital Markets Day in April, Kering (the luxury conglomerate behind Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Bottega Veneta) announced its “ReconKering” business plan. A massive piece of this strategy is a commitment to reduce its reliance on traditional leather by 30% by 2028. To fill the gap, Kering is scaling up the use of alternative, next-generation materials to make up 40% of its material portfolio by 2035—proving that divesting from animal agriculture’s heavy climate impact is financially viable at the highest levels of luxury.

The EU’s Ban on Destroying Unsold Goods Looms Closer

Adopted under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the official ban on the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories, and footwear will apply to large companies starting July 19, 2026. Brands have spent April and May scrambling to pivot their operations toward resale, donation, and remanufacturing, signaling a massive regulatory shift away from the industry's historically wasteful overproduction habits.

GOTS Version 8.0 Takes Shape

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) opened public consultations for its highly anticipated 8.0 update. This new version aims to drastically strengthen supply chain accountability by introducing mandatory human rights due diligence, stricter climate and chemical criteria, and aggressive new circularity requirements.

The EUDR Controversy: Will Leather Get a Free Pass?

In a move that has sparked widespread public concern, the European Commission recently published a proposal to formally exclude leather, hides, and skins from the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Following intense lobbying by the leather and tannery industries (who argue that hides are merely a “by-product” of beef), this proposed exemption creates a glaring legislative loophole. Under these proposed rules, beef originating from cattle raised on illegally deforested land in the Amazon would be banned from the EU market, but the leather hide from that exact same cow could still be legally sold to European fashion brands. The Commission’s own research shows that leather from South America carries one of the highest deforestation footprints of any imported commodity, making this exemption a massive step backward for supply chain traceability.

What’s your take on this?

Take Action: The EUDR Leather Loophole The public feedback period for the EUDR leather exemption is open until June 1st. We cannot let industry lobbying weaken one of the most critical environmental laws of our time. Environmental campaigners and civil society groups are actively fighting to keep leather included in the regulation to ensure fashion brands remain accountable for the deforestation in their supply chains.

You can read the open letters to the European Commission, understand the data, and lend your voice to the campaign before the deadline closes below:

Why leather must remain in the EUDR

Open letter

Have your say

The luxury loophole

If you want to understand the exact mechanics of this policy battle, our very own Puja just published a comprehensive breakdown on the Slow Fashion Movement blog. In The Luxury Loophole: Why the EUDR Must Keep Leather in Scope, Puja dismantles the industry’s popular claim that leather is merely a “by-product” of beef production.

The article explores how the global luxury market relies on this highly profitable commodity, why tracing cowhides is completely feasible, and what it means for the future of the Amazon rainforest if this legislative loophole is approved.

About the Author

Puja Mj is an eco-educator, writer, and keynote speaker in sustainability, working to bridge the gap between complex industry issues and everyday action.

Serving on the board of the Slow Fashion Movement and leading the SFM Learning Lab, she uses her background in campaign strategy to help drive the shift toward a more sustainable fashion system.

Read the full article

Upcyclers x Slow Fashion Movement

We’re excited to share a new collaboration with Upcyclers, an end-to-end platform dedicated to upcycling.

Upcyclers brings the entire journey into one place, empowering creators to transform discarded materials and secondhand clothing into one-of-a-kind pieces and even scalable businesses. From learning and sourcing materials to designing, connecting with a global community, and selling through a dedicated marketplace, the platform is built to support every step of the process.

It’s a space where creativity meets purpose, turning inspiration into income and waste into opportunity.

Turn Waste Into Opportunity

Book Release

How to Spot Greenwashing

Sustainability is everywhere right now, but not everything is what it seems.

We’re excited to share the launch of the new e-book, How to Spot Greenwashing, designed to help you navigate the noise and uncover what’s real behind the labels.

Inside, you’ll find practical tools to identify misleading claims, understand common tactics, and make more confident, conscious decisions when it comes to fashion.

Download your free copy

The Nature of Fashion

In this powerful book, Carry Somers explores the deep connection between nature and fashion, tracing the origins of fibres, dyes and materials through history while inviting us to rethink how our clothing relates to the natural world.

Blending research, storytelling and cultural history, The Nature of Fashion reconnects fashion with its ecological roots and encourages a more thoughtful relationship with what we wear.

Learn more about the book

Fashion 2.0

A Resilient Future in the Making

Fast fashion products are created to meet trends rather than to last. Designed, produced, and distributed at high speed, they prioritize immediacy over durability and volume over value.

Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making explores how sustainability is reshaping the fashion industry, moving away from mindless consumption and toward a more conscious, resilient, and purpose-driven system.

This ebook is part of Slow Fashion Movement’s Learning Lab and offers insights for anyone interested in understanding the cultural, social, and environmental shifts needed to build a fashion future that truly lasts.

Ebook

The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear; it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

We would like to start by saying a huge thank you for the overwhelming response to apply for the Learning Lab Spring Batch 2026. We are truly inspired by the enthusiasm, passion, and commitment shown by our global community.

If you missed the application deadline or are still considering joining Learning Lab, there will be another opportunity. The next batch will be the Autumn Batch, running from September to November 2026.

The official announcement for the Autumn Batch will be shared soon, so stay tuned for updates and application details. In the meantime, if you would like to express your interest, feel free to reach out to us at learninglab@slowfashion.global

We look forward to continuing this journey of learning, collaboration, and impact together.

Stay informed about upcoming Learning Lab announcements.

Follow us on Instagram

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labor practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

With love and solidarity,

Written by Basil Jaik Jose

Edited by Karen Zolá

SFM Newsletter Team:

Chloé, Karen, Basil & Sangeeta

Hello Slow Fashionistas,

One of the most meaningful parts of building a slow fashion community is realizing that change does not always happen through major transformations. Sometimes, it begins with small reflections, everyday choices, honest conversations, and the willingness to see fashion differently.

Each person’s journey with sustainability looks unique. For some, it starts by becoming more mindful of shopping habits. For others, it may come through reconnecting with the stories behind their clothes, supporting local makers, or simply learning to value what they already own.

In this edition, we wanted to highlight those personal perspectives and reflections through conversations, shared experiences, and ideas from our community. From individual journeys to thoughtful discussions on fashion and sustainability, these stories remind us of the impact that small actions, shared experiences, and community support can have in inspiring more conscious and intentional ways of engaging with fashion.

Because when people share their experiences openly, they inspire others to begin their own journey too.

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Ellen, one of our Learning Lab 2026 interns, showed up to the Slow Fashion for Earth Challenge with a quiet consistency that truly embodied its spirit. Week after week, she engaged deeply with each prompt—reflecting, questioning, and gently reshaping her relationship with clothing.

What stood out most was not just participation, but intention: a willingness to slow down, notice more, and make mindful choices. We did a short Q&A with Ellen to reflect on her journey, offering a glimpse into how small, thoughtful shifts can lead to more conscious ways of dressing and consuming. 🌿

What inspired you to join the Slow Fashion for Earth Challenge?

I had never been conscious of my wardrobe in this way before, and the weekly challenges were small, achievable goals. I wanted to do the challenges for myself, because getting dressed is something I do to feel good, not something I usually analyse. I liked the idea of dressing with intention every day and reflecting on what I am wearing as an opportunity to learn about myself and my habits.

What was the most meaningful shift for you during the challenge?

By documenting my outfits every day made me aware of how often I felt I “should” wear something different, even though I happily repeat outfits in my everyday life. I liked that the month’s first challenge was to repeat an outfit, as it became a reminder for the following weeks that it’s okay to enjoy wearing the things I love again and again. It made me realise how much social media can influence that pressure to constantly be new and different, even when it’s not something I normally think about. Dressing for yourself is so different when you can let go of the idea of dressing for others. I found there are certain outfits I wore that just make me feel like my most authentic self.

Any particular prompt or week that really stayed with you?

Doing a repair was probably the biggest challenge for me. It’s something I have been wanting to do for a long time, and I have a collection of clothes in my mending pile I have been putting off doing anything with. It genuinely took me no more than two hours in total to fully repair the buttons on my shirt, and I had been putting it off for at least a month. To have it finished so quickly and easily really motivated me to do more mending, and I love that I have a unique piece from it.

Did it change how you look at your wardrobe or shopping habits?

Absolutely. I happened to be reading Fabric: The Hidden History of the Material World by Victoria Finlay during the challenge. It’s a fantastic read, but it also gave me a real insight into how fabrics are made, where they come from, and the histories and realities behind them. It made me realize how few items in my wardrobe are truly “one thing” anymore. Going forward I want to put real energy into understanding the full process behind the clothes I buy. Even better, I want to support businesses that are transparent about their materials and production, and choose basics and statement pieces from places that openly share that information. My hope is that I can invest in these pieces knowing they will last much longer than repeatedly buying from fast fashion retailers.

What would you say to someone just starting their slow fashion journey?

You don’t have to be perfect, and take your time. No one expects you to be perfect, especially not right away. The best way to start is to care for what you have, and when you need something new or want to change things up you can be mindful about it. Enjoy the freedom you have when you go into a charity shop or jumble sale and you get to dig for treasure, and knowing you won’t look like anyone else when you put an outfit together. Have fun creating a wardrobe that will reflect your personality, your personal style will outlive fashion trends, and slow fashion is really about building a wardrobe that grows with you.

How do you plan to continue this going forward?

I’m definitely planning to start with my mending pile, but I also want to think more intentionally about the pieces I already own and how I can keep them in rotation. The challenge has made me more aware of what I have, and I want to keep building those habits of care, reflection, re-wearing, and remaking.

The Psychology of the Scroll: How Social Media Shapes Modern Fashion Choices

This piece explores how social media subtly shapes our fashion choices through constant scrolling, algorithm-driven exposure, and curated aesthetics. It highlights how this digital loop fuels comparison and impulsive consumption, distancing us from personal style. At its core, the blog encourages a shift toward more mindful, intentional engagement with fashion—one that prioritizes awareness over influence.

About the Author

Liz Mudri is a behaviour-based stylist and social worker who blends psychology with fashion to understand how people express identity through clothing. As a Learning & Behaviour Change Strategist with the Slow Fashion Movement, she focuses on reshaping consumption habits through awareness and behavioural insights. She is also the founder of Fashion Conscious Curator, where she guides individuals toward more intentional and values-driven style choices.

Read the full article

Upcyclers x Slow Fashion Movement

We’re excited to share a new collaboration with Upcyclers, an end-to-end platform dedicated to upcycling.

Upcyclers brings the entire journey into one place, empowering creators to transform discarded materials and secondhand clothing into one-of-a-kind pieces and even scalable businesses. From learning and sourcing materials to designing, connecting with a global community, and selling through a dedicated marketplace, the platform is built to support every step of the process.

It’s a space where creativity meets purpose, turning inspiration into income and waste into opportunity.

Turn Waste Into Opportunity

Book Release

How to Spot Greenwashing

Sustainability is everywhere right now, but not everything is what it seems.

We’re excited to share the launch of the new e-book, How to Spot Greenwashing, designed to help you navigate the noise and uncover what’s real behind the labels.

Inside, you’ll find practical tools to identify misleading claims, understand common tactics, and make more confident, conscious decisions when it comes to fashion.

Download your free copy

The Nature of Fashion

In this powerful book, Carry Somers explores the deep connection between nature and fashion, tracing the origins of fibres, dyes and materials through history while inviting us to rethink how our clothing relates to the natural world.

Blending research, storytelling and cultural history, The Nature of Fashion reconnects fashion with its ecological roots and encourages a more thoughtful relationship with what we wear.

Learn more about the book

Fashion 2.0

A Resilient Future in the Making

Fast fashion products are created to meet trends rather than to last. Designed, produced, and distributed at high speed, they prioritize immediacy over durability and volume over value.

Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making explores how sustainability is reshaping the fashion industry, moving away from mindless consumption and toward a more conscious, resilient, and purpose-driven system.

This ebook is part of Slow Fashion Movement’s Learning Lab and offers insights for anyone interested in understanding the cultural, social, and environmental shifts needed to build a fashion future that truly lasts.

Ebook

The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear; it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

We would like to start by saying a huge thank you for the overwhelming response to apply for the Learning Lab Spring Batch 2026. We are truly inspired by the enthusiasm, passion, and commitment shown by our global community.

If you missed the application deadline or are still considering joining Learning Lab, there will be another opportunity. The next batch will be the Autumn Batch, running from September to November 2026.

The official announcement for the Autumn Batch will be shared soon, so stay tuned for updates and application details. In the meantime, if you would like to express your interest, feel free to reach out to us at learninglab@slowfashion.global

We look forward to continuing this journey of learning, collaboration, and impact together.

Stay informed about upcoming Learning Lab announcements.

Follow us on Instagram

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labour practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Written by Sangeeta Dutta 🌻
Edited by Karen Zolá

SFM Newsletter Team:

Chloé, Karen, Basil & Sangeeta

Hello Slow Fashionistas,

April reminded us to slow down.
To question, to learn, to reflect.

Through conversations around water, people, and the true cost of clothing, Earth Month reminded us that fashion is never just about what we wear. It is about the systems we are part of.

But now that April is over, a new question begins.

What stays with us?

Because awareness is powerful, but what really creates change is what we carry forward.
The small shifts. The questions we keep asking. The choices we start making differently.

You do not have to do everything.
You do not have to get it perfect.

Slow fashion has never been about perfection.
It is about intention, consistency, and finding a rhythm that feels right for you.

So as we step into a new month, instead of adding more,
we are taking a moment to notice what has already shifted,
because sometimes, the smallest changes stay with us.

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Throughout April, we shared conversations about the true impact of fashion.

But beyond the information, what matters most is what stayed with you.

Maybe it was a question you had never asked before, something that shifted the way you see a piece in your closet, or simply a moment that made you pause. Sometimes, it is also the more specific details that stay with us, the numbers, the facts, or a clearer sense of the scale of impact, like how much water goes into producing a single garment.

Not everything needs to turn into action right away. Sometimes, awareness is the first shift.

One way I like to reflect is by looking at pieces I have owned for years.

I stand in front of my closet and take a moment to really look at what I have. I think about how long I have owned each piece and that often brings me back to specific moments or phases of my life when I wore it. Along with that, I start to notice how trends in the fashion industry have evolved over time, something I always find interesting to reflect on.

Sometimes I find myself thinking about how well a piece has held up over time and what brand it is. It naturally makes me more aware of which brands truly offer quality and are worth investing in. Other times, when a piece is no longer in its best condition, I start to think about how I could give it a new life. For example, I once had a beige top with several stains and decided to add patches in different shapes and colors. It completely transformed it.

Taking the time to observe what we already own can lead to many insights, small realizations, and a deeper sense of awareness that helps us become more conscious in the way we choose and value our clothes.

If you feel like it, take a moment today to try this with a couple of pieces in your closet.

✨Take a second and let us know:✨

If you enjoyed this edition, feel free to give it a like so we know this kind of content resonates with you.

You can also share your thoughts in the comments or let us know what topics you would like us to explore next.

The Slow Fashion Revolution: How Your Closet Fights Climate Change

This Earth Month, one idea keeps coming back:
change doesn’t always start in policy, sometimes, it starts in your closet.

In this powerful piece by Puja, we’re reminded that fashion isn’t just about what we wear, it’s about the systems we support, the impact we create, and the choices we make every single day.

From extending the life of our garments to rethinking materials and challenging waste colonialism, this article reframes something simple… into something transformational.

Because your wardrobe isn’t just storage, it’s a space for action.

About the Author

Puja Mj is an eco-educator, writer, and keynote speaker in sustainability, working to bridge the gap between complex industry issues and everyday action.

Serving on the board of the Slow Fashion Movement and leading the SFM Learning Lab, she uses her background in campaign strategy to help drive the shift toward a more sustainable fashion system.

Read the full article

Upcyclers x Slow Fashion Movement

We’re excited to share a new collaboration with Upcyclers, an end-to-end platform dedicated to upcycling.

Upcyclers brings the entire journey into one place, empowering creators to transform discarded materials and secondhand clothing into one-of-a-kind pieces and even scalable businesses. From learning and sourcing materials to designing, connecting with a global community, and selling through a dedicated marketplace, the platform is built to support every step of the process.

It’s a space where creativity meets purpose, turning inspiration into income and waste into opportunity.

Turn Waste Into Opportunity

Book Release

How to Spot Greenwashing

Sustainability is everywhere right now, but not everything is what it seems.

We’re excited to share the launch of the new e-book, How to Spot Greenwashing, designed to help you navigate the noise and uncover what’s real behind the labels.

Inside, you’ll find practical tools to identify misleading claims, understand common tactics, and make more confident, conscious decisions when it comes to fashion.

Download your free copy

The Nature of Fashion

In this powerful book, Carry Somers explores the deep connection between nature and fashion, tracing the origins of fibres, dyes and materials through history while inviting us to rethink how our clothing relates to the natural world.

Blending research, storytelling and cultural history, The Nature of Fashion reconnects fashion with its ecological roots and encourages a more thoughtful relationship with what we wear.

Learn more about the book

Fashion 2.0

A Resilient Future in the Making

Fast fashion products are created to meet trends rather than to last. Designed, produced, and distributed at high speed, they prioritize immediacy over durability and volume over value.

Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making explores how sustainability is reshaping the fashion industry, moving away from mindless consumption and toward a more conscious, resilient, and purpose-driven system.

This ebook is part of Slow Fashion Movement’s Learning Lab and offers insights for anyone interested in understanding the cultural, social, and environmental shifts needed to build a fashion future that truly lasts.

Ebook

The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear; it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

We would like to start by saying a huge thank you for the overwhelming response to apply for the Learning Lab Spring Batch 2026. We are truly inspired by the enthusiasm, passion, and commitment shown by our global community.

If you missed the application deadline or are still considering joining Learning Lab, there will be another opportunity. The next batch will be the Autumn Batch, running from September to November 2026.

The official announcement for the Autumn Batch will be shared soon, so stay tuned for updates and application details. In the meantime, if you would like to express your interest, feel free to reach out to us at learninglab@slowfashion.global

We look forward to continuing this journey of learning, collaboration, and impact together.

Stay informed about upcoming Learning Lab announcements.

Follow us on Instagram

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labour practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Let’s keep making a difference together,

Karen Zolá 💖

SFM Newsletter Team:

Chloé, Karen, Basil & Sangeeta

Hello Slow Fashionistas,

A quiet shift is happening in fashion. Not on the runway, but behind it, across shipping routes, factories, and sourcing maps. As geopolitical tensions intensify, particularly in West Asia, the industry is being forced to confront a new reality: instability is no longer an exception, but the baseline.

What once felt like a seamless global system is now revealing its vulnerabilities. Supply chains are slowing, costs are rising, and brands are being pushed to rethink not only how they produce, but how they plan for uncertainty.

In this edition, we explore how these shifts are reshaping the foundations of fashion, from logistics and overproduction to sustainability commitments and the evolving roles within the industry.

Because today, fashion is no longer just about creativity,
it’s about resilience.

Prefer reading on your phone?
Download the Substack app so you never miss an edition.

Get the Substack App

What’s changing behind the scenes of the fashion industry

Fashion isn’t moving with the seasons anymore. It’s moving with the shocks.

Geopolitical instability, especially across West Asia is reshaping how fashion produces, ships and survives. What once looked like a seamless global engine now shows its fractures. The system is exposed, fragmented and under constant pressure.

Supply Chains: From Optimized to Fragile

The industry’s greatest strength—hyper‑efficient global logistics—has become its most dangerous weakness.

Key Asia–Europe routes are increasingly unpredictable. Delays, rerouting, and rising freight costs are forcing brands to rethink everything from sourcing to delivery windows. The shift is clear: from “just‑in‑time” to “just‑in‑case.”

Overproduction Becomes a Liability

Excess inventory used to be an operational headache. Now it’s a financial risk.

With demand fluctuating and markets unstable, brands are tightening forecasts and producing smaller, more controlled runs. The era of mass overproduction is giving way to caution and in some cases, survival mode.

Sustainability Under Strain

Sustainability commitments remain non‑negotiable in the public eye. But behind the scenes, volatility is making them harder to uphold.

Traceability, responsible sourcing and ESG reporting all require stability, something the current environment doesn’t offer. The gap between ambition and execution is widening, and consumers are beginning to sense it.

The Industry Is Rewiring Itself

Fashion is no longer defined only by creativity. It’s defined by operations.

The fastest‑growing roles now sit in supply chain, ESG, compliance, logistics, and data. The industry is shifting toward people who understand systems, risk, resilience & not just aesthetics.

Not Collapse—Recalibration

What’s emerging is a slower, more regional, more cautious fashion ecosystem. Less optimized but more aware of its limits. This isn’t the end of fashion’s global era. It’s the beginning of a more grounded one.

The New Question

Fashion isn’t asking how to grow anymore. It’s asking how to stay stable in a world that isn’t. This shift will define what comes next.

What’s your perspective on this?

What’s shaping the way you see fashion right now? We’d love to read your thoughts in the comments.

The Slow Fashion Revolution: How Your Closet Fights Climate Change

This Earth Month, one idea keeps coming back:
change doesn’t always start in policy, sometimes, it starts in your closet.

In this powerful piece by Puja, we’re reminded that fashion isn’t just about what we wear, it’s about the systems we support, the impact we create, and the choices we make every single day.

From extending the life of our garments to rethinking materials and challenging waste colonialism, this article reframes something simple… into something transformational.

Because your wardrobe isn’t just storage, it’s a space for action.

About the Author

Puja Mj is an eco-educator, writer, and keynote speaker in sustainability, working to bridge the gap between complex industry issues and everyday action.

Serving on the board of the Slow Fashion Movement and leading the SFM Learning Lab, she uses her background in campaign strategy to help drive the shift toward a more sustainable fashion system.

Read the full article

As Earth Month continues, so does the Slow Fashion for Earth Challenge, an invitation to take small, intentional steps in caring for your clothes and the planet. Each week brings a new perspective on how we can connect more consciously with what we wear.

1. Week 1: Rewear & Restyle
   Repeat outfits and explore new ways to style what you already own.

2. Week 2: Know Your Clothes
   Learn about the fabrics in your wardrobe — are they natural or synthetic? Where do they come from?

3. Week 3: Repair & Upcycle
   Fix small damages, replace buttons, or transform pieces you no longer wear into something new.

4. Week 4: Conscious Shopping
   Thrift, swap, or challenge yourself to go a full week without buying anything new.

Follow the challenge on Instagram

You can join by following along, taking part in the weekly prompts, and sharing your journey with the community using #SlowFashionForEarth

Upcyclers x Slow Fashion Movement

We’re excited to share a new collaboration with Upcyclers, an end-to-end platform dedicated to upcycling.

Upcyclers brings the entire journey into one place, empowering creators to transform discarded materials and secondhand clothing into one-of-a-kind pieces and even scalable businesses. From learning and sourcing materials to designing, connecting with a global community, and selling through a dedicated marketplace, the platform is built to support every step of the process.

It’s a space where creativity meets purpose, turning inspiration into income and waste into opportunity.

Turn Waste Into Opportunity

Book Release

How to Spot Greenwashing

Sustainability is everywhere right now, but not everything is what it seems.

We’re excited to share the launch of the new e-book, How to Spot Greenwashing, designed to help you navigate the noise and uncover what’s real behind the labels.

Inside, you’ll find practical tools to identify misleading claims, understand common tactics, and make more confident, conscious decisions when it comes to fashion.

Download your free copy

The Nature of Fashion

In this powerful book, Carry Somers explores the deep connection between nature and fashion, tracing the origins of fibres, dyes and materials through history while inviting us to rethink how our clothing relates to the natural world.

Blending research, storytelling and cultural history, The Nature of Fashion reconnects fashion with its ecological roots and encourages a more thoughtful relationship with what we wear.

Learn more about the book

Fashion 2.0

A Resilient Future in the Making

Fast fashion products are created to meet trends rather than to last. Designed, produced, and distributed at high speed, they prioritize immediacy over durability and volume over value.

Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making explores how sustainability is reshaping the fashion industry, moving away from mindless consumption and toward a more conscious, resilient, and purpose-driven system.

This ebook is part of Slow Fashion Movement’s Learning Lab and offers insights for anyone interested in understanding the cultural, social, and environmental shifts needed to build a fashion future that truly lasts.

Ebook

The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear; it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

We would like to start by saying a huge thank you for the overwhelming response to apply for the Learning Lab Spring Batch 2026. We are truly inspired by the enthusiasm, passion, and commitment shown by our global community.

If you missed the application deadline or are still considering joining Learning Lab, there will be another opportunity. The next batch will be the Autumn Batch, running from September to November 2026.

The official announcement for the Autumn Batch will be shared soon, so stay tuned for updates and application details. In the meantime, if you would like to express your interest, feel free to reach out to us at learninglab@slowfashion.global

We look forward to continuing this journey of learning, collaboration, and impact together.

Stay informed about upcoming Learning Lab announcements.

Follow us on Instagram

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labour practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Because what happens behind the scenes is shaping everything we see.

Sangeeta

SFM Newsletter Team:

Chloé, Karen, Basil & Sangeeta

Hello Slow Fashionistas,

In our last edition, we introduced a new section in the newsletter: Global Brand Spotlight, a space created to highlight fashion brands around the world that are doing things differently.

This section feels especially meaningful from a personal perspective. As a founder of a clothing brand, I understand the challenges behind building a fashion project, especially when sustainability is not just an add-on, but a core principle.

That’s why having the opportunity to feature my brand, IK Sustainable, in this space felt incredibly special.

But beyond that, what excites us even more is what comes next.

We’re excited to continue growing this section, discovering and including more fashion brands that are challenging the industry and creating with purpose.

If you have a local brand you love, feel free to share it with us in the comments.

And as we continue these conversations, we’ve also been exploring some of these ideas on Instagram, from the hidden cost of fast fashion, to circular frameworks like the 9R’s, and the connection between our wardrobes and the planet.

Each piece, each decision, each brand… is part of something bigger.

Keep reading to discover the events and surprises we have prepared for this month ✨

Prefer reading on your phone?
Download the Substack app so you never miss an edition.

Get the Substack App

As Earth Month continues, so does the Slow Fashion for Earth Challenge, an invitation to take small, intentional steps in caring for your clothes and the planet. Each week brings a new perspective on how we can connect more consciously with what we wear.

1. Week 1: Rewear & Restyle
   Repeat outfits and explore new ways to style what you already own.

2. Week 2: Know Your Clothes
   Learn about the fabrics in your wardrobe — are they natural or synthetic? Where do they come from?

3. Week 3: Repair & Upcycle
   Fix small damages, replace buttons, or transform pieces you no longer wear into something new.

4. Week 4: Conscious Shopping
   Thrift, swap, or challenge yourself to go a full week without buying anything new.

Follow the challenge on Instagram

You can join by following along, taking part in the weekly prompts, and sharing your journey with the community using #SlowFashionForEarth

Miss Kayce: April Events & Collaborations

This month, in celebration of Earth Day and Fashion Revolution Week, Miss Kayce is bringing together a series of events across the Philippines, creating spaces for community, creativity, and conscious fashion.

From workshops and collaborations to talks and activations, these events highlight the power of coming together to rethink the way we create, use, and relate to clothing.

April 25 stands out as a key date, with multiple Fashion Revolution Philippines events happening simultaneously in different locations:

• Mend In Public Day at Zero Ten Park, Makati City
• Blooms & Resonana at Comunidad PH, San Juan
• Revive & Thrive at Hulma, Cabanatuan City

Behind these initiatives is a strong collaborative effort. Through her brand MadeCHIC, Miss Kayce works with discarded denim, transforming it into purposeful pieces. For this week, she has also partnered with brands, artists, and creatives, providing reclaimed denim as a canvas for workshops and new creations.

Each event becomes a space not only to create, but to reconnect with the value of materials, craftsmanship, and community.

To explore more about the events and workshops, you can visit her Instagram.

Miss Kayce

Redress Design Award: Applications Closing Soon

As part of our collaboration with Redress, we’re excited to amplify this global opportunity for emerging designers.

The Redress Design Award is one of the world’s leading sustainable fashion design competitions, focused on educating and empowering designers to rethink the future of fashion through circular design.

With only 0.3% of the global textile industry currently being circular, initiatives like this are essential to accelerate change.

Designers are invited to create a contemporary collection for a modern, fashion-forward audience, using waste textiles and guided by circular design strategies.

Beyond the competition, Redress also offers educational resources, including a Zero Waste Design Course, supporting designers in building more responsible and innovative practices.

This is more than a competition, it’s an opportunity to challenge the way fashion is created and to be part of a global movement shaping a more circular future.

If you’re a designer or know someone who should apply, don’t miss this opportunity.

Apply here

Upcyclers x Slow Fashion Movement

We’re excited to share a new collaboration with Upcyclers, an end-to-end platform dedicated to upcycling.

Upcyclers brings the entire journey into one place, empowering creators to transform discarded materials and secondhand clothing into one-of-a-kind pieces and even scalable businesses. From learning and sourcing materials to designing, connecting with a global community, and selling through a dedicated marketplace, the platform is built to support every step of the process.

It’s a space where creativity meets purpose, turning inspiration into income and waste into opportunity.

Turn Waste Into Opportunity

The Hidden Cost of the “Good Deal”

By Shivani Kaushik

We’ve all felt it. Walking into a store during a sale, finding pieces we love, and leaving with more than we planned because it felt like a good deal.

But what happens to everything that doesn’t get sold?

Today, the fashion industry produces between 80 and 150 billion garments each year, and up to 40% of them may never even reach a customer. For years, excess inventory has been quietly discarded, burned, or sent to landfills as part of a system built on overproduction.

Now, new regulations in the European Union are beginning to change this. Under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, large companies will no longer be allowed to destroy unsold clothing and will be required to disclose what happens to their excess stock.

This shift brings more transparency to the industry and pushes fashion toward more circular practices.

Because maybe the real question is not just what we buy, but what happens to everything we leave behind.

Read the full blog

Book Release

We’re also excited to highlight the release of The Nature of Fashion by Carry Somers.

In this powerful book, Carry explores the deep connection between nature and fashion, tracing the origins of fibres, dyes and materials through history while inviting us to rethink how our clothing relates to the natural world.

Blending research, storytelling and cultural history, The Nature of Fashion reconnects fashion with its ecological roots and encourages a more thoughtful relationship with what we wear.

Learn more about the book

Fashion 2.0

A Resilient Future in the Making

Fast fashion products are created to meet trends rather than to last. Designed, produced, and distributed at high speed, they prioritize immediacy over durability and volume over value.

Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making explores how sustainability is reshaping the fashion industry, moving away from mindless consumption and toward a more conscious, resilient, and purpose-driven system.

This ebook is part of Slow Fashion Movement’s Learning Lab and offers insights for anyone interested in understanding the cultural, social, and environmental shifts needed to build a fashion future that truly lasts.

Ebook

The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear; it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

We would like to start by saying a huge thank you for the overwhelming response to apply for the Learning Lab Spring Batch 2026. We are truly inspired by the enthusiasm, passion, and commitment shown by our global community.

If you missed the application deadline or are still considering joining Learning Lab, there will be another opportunity. The next batch will be the Autumn Batch, running from September to November 2026.

The official announcement for the Autumn Batch will be shared soon, so stay tuned for updates and application details. In the meantime, if you would like to express your interest, feel free to reach out to us at learninglab@slowfashion.global

We look forward to continuing this journey of learning, collaboration, and impact together.

Stay informed about upcoming Learning Lab announcements.

Follow us on Instagram

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labour practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Let’s keep making a difference together,

Karen Zolá 💖

SFM Newsletter Team:

Chloé, Karen, Basil & Sangeeta

Hello Slow Fashionistas,

As we continue to embrace this month’s challenges and rethink our relationship with the clothes we wear, we are thrilled to introduce a brand new weekly segment. Starting today, we’ll be shining a light on the brands and businesses around the globe that are actively doing the work to shift the fashion industry toward a more sustainable, fair, and circular future.

To kick things off, we are taking you to Mexico to meet a project that proves sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a daily practice built on intention.. 💚

Prefer reading on your phone?
Download the Substack app so you never miss an edition.

Get the Substack App

About IK

IK is a fashion project deeply rooted in creating more intentional and conscious ways of consuming clothing. Founded in 2019 in Mexico, the project operated there for four years. After a pause, IK was relaunched in 2026 in Canada.

Today, the project tackles the industry’s massive waste problem from two distinct angles: creating responsibly with innovative materials, and keeping what’s already here in rotation. These efforts come to life through its two main pillars: IK Collection and IK Pre-Loved.

1. IK COLLECTION: Innovating the Essentials

We all need those reliable basics, but IK proves they don’t have to cost the earth. This line features everyday staples—fitted t-shirts, oversized styles, and crop tops in classic black and white, available with or without sleeves.

The magic, however, is in the materials. All pieces are crafted from recycled PET, utilizing post-consumer plastic bottles collected from land, beaches, and oceans.

The Impact:

• Resource Efficiency: Once collected, it takes just half a liter of water to clean 30 plastic bottles.

• The Transformation: These bottles are spun into fibers and threads to create a breathable, quick-drying fabric built for everyday comfort and durability.

• Water Conservation: Compared to conventional garment production, this process drastically slashes water usage—one of the textile industry’s most critical environmental challenges.

The Plant-Based Alternative

Beyond recycled plastics, the IK COLLECTION also features a stunning vegan cactus leather jacket. Derived directly from the cactus plant, this material is naturally resistant to humidity and designed to last over time. It offers a timeless, edgy look without the heavy environmental toll of traditional animal leather or synthetic PVC.

2. IK PRELOVED: Valuing What Exists

As we often say in the movement, the most sustainable garment is the one already in your closet. IK echoes this beautifully with their second section, IK PRELOVED.

By carefully curating and reintroducing pre-loved clothing, IK actively extends the life cycle of garments and champions a circular approach to fashion. They operate on a simple, beautiful philosophy:

“Because what already exists still has value.”

Behind the Brand: A Conversation with IK

To truly understand the heartbeat of this brand, we sat down with the visionary behind it all: IK’s founder, Karen Zolá. What makes this spotlight even more special is that Karen is also a part of our very own Slow Fashion Movement community! We loved having the chance to connect with a fellow slow fashion advocate to learn more about the complexities of sustainability in fashion, water conservation, and the reality of building a mindful wardrobe.

SFM: Transforming ocean plastics into wearable textiles is a complex logistical challenge. Can you walk us through the journey of a PET bottle—from a beach cleanup to becoming a finished garment in the IK Collection?

Karen: From the very beginning, when I decided to start a clothing brand, I knew I wanted to do it in the most responsible way possible—minimizing negative impact on the planet. I spent a long time searching for suppliers and materials that truly aligned with that vision. I received many samples, but often the materials didn’t feel durable enough, or the values and processes behind the companies didn’t match what I was looking for.

Eventually, I found a supplier that specializes in recycling post-consumer PET bottles collected from land and coastal areas, including beaches, as well as from the ocean. What stood out to me was not only the material itself, but how the process is handled—being mindful of water usage, avoiding toxic chemicals, and focusing on efficiency.

While IK does not produce the fabric directly, every material is carefully selected. The bottles are collected, cleaned using minimal water, and then transformed into fibers and threads, which are later turned into fabric.

IK Collection—everyday pieces designed to last.

SFM: Cactus leather is an exciting development in the slow fashion space. What made you choose this specific plant-based alternative over others, and what challenges did you face when designing for longevity with a newer material?

Karen: When I first started working on the cactus leather jacket, one of the biggest challenges was finding designers who knew how to work with the material. At the time, it was still relatively new and not widely used, which made the process more complex.

What drew me to cactus leather was its durability—especially its resistance to humidity. I come from a place where humidity can damage clothing over time—jackets, shoes, belts—so finding a material that could withstand those conditions and still look the same years later felt very meaningful.

Another important aspect was attention to detail. For example, I spent time ensuring that the zippers used were high quality and durable. I didn’t want any component of the piece to compromise its longevity. Additionally, cactus is native to Mexico, which makes the material even more special. It connects the product not only to sustainability, but also to cultural identity.

SFM: You mentioned that cleaning 30 bottles requires only half a liter of water. How critical was addressing the textile industry’s water crisis when you first built your production model?

Karen: Water usage in the fashion industry—especially in dyeing processes—has had a significant negative impact globally. Water scarcity is one of the issues that concerns me the most.

That’s one of the main reasons I chose to work with this type of material. The process requires very little water compared to conventional textiles, which felt like a more responsible direction when building the brand. At some point, I also explored the idea of dyeing organic fabrics using natural pigments. The project is currently on pause, but it’s something I would love to revisit in the future. I find it beautiful that natural dyeing makes each piece unique while also reducing environmental impact.

SFM: For our readers looking to build a more mindful wardrobe, what is the one shift in perspective you hope they experience when wearing an IK piece?

Karen: One of the main ideas behind the IK Collection is simplicity and versatility. These are basic pieces that can be worn every day—in different contexts. You can wear them to work with a blazer, for a workout because they’re breathable, or casually, like a crop top in the summer.

I think one important shift is recognizing the value of basics in a wardrobe. They simplify decision-making, especially on busy days, and allow you to create multiple outfits with fewer pieces. To me, building a more mindful wardrobe doesn’t have to mean complexity—it can start with choosing versatile, intentional pieces that you truly use and enjoy.

The Conscious Creation

Initiatives like IK remind us of the profound impact that localized, intentional business models can have on global ecosystems. By intercepting post-consumer plastic before it degrades in our oceans and drastically cutting the water required to produce everyday garments, this is proving that fashion can be a tool for environmental regeneration rather than destruction.

When we champion brands that prioritize circularity, resource efficiency, and cultural heritage, we aren’t just adding a versatile basic to our wardrobe—we are actively supporting an industry that heals the planet rather than depleting it. It is proof that a more mindful, slow fashion ecosystem is not only possible, but already being built by changemakers within our own community.

We highly recommend checking out their journey, exploring their pieces, and supporting their mission on Instagram.

Follow IK on Instagram

What are your thoughts on wearing materials made from recycled post-consumer plastic bottles or cactus leather? Let us know in the comments below!

Stay curious, stay conscious, and we’ll see you next week.

Book Release

We’re also excited to highlight the release of The Nature of Fashion by Carry Somers.

In this powerful book, Carry explores the deep connection between nature and fashion, tracing the origins of fibres, dyes and materials through history while inviting us to rethink how our clothing relates to the natural world.

Blending research, storytelling and cultural history, The Nature of Fashion reconnects fashion with its ecological roots and encourages a more thoughtful relationship with what we wear.

Learn more about the book

Fashion 2.0

A Resilient Future in the Making

Fast fashion products are created to meet trends rather than to last. Designed, produced, and distributed at high speed, they prioritize immediacy over durability and volume over value.

Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making explores how sustainability is reshaping the fashion industry, moving away from mindless consumption and toward a more conscious, resilient, and purpose-driven system.

This ebook is part of Slow Fashion Movement’s Learning Lab and offers insights for anyone interested in understanding the cultural, social, and environmental shifts needed to build a fashion future that truly lasts.

Ebook

The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear; it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labour practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

With love and solidarity,

Basil Jaik Jose

SFM Newsletter Team:

Chloé, Karen, Basil & Sangeeta

Hello Slow Fashionistas,

April is just beginning, and with it comes our Earth Month Challenge. If you follow us on Instagram, you may have already seen it, and if not, you can learn more about it here in the newsletter. This month is all about reconnecting with our clothes, making more intentional choices, and remembering that small actions can create real impact. We hope you’ll decide to join us. 🌍

In this edition, we’re also sharing a new blog post that explores the growing textile waste crisis and why repair matters more than ever. It’s a reminder that caring for what we already own can be one of the most powerful steps toward a more conscious wardrobe.

As we mentioned in the previous edition, we’re working on some changes for the newsletter, and you’ll start seeing them next week, so if you haven’t subscribed yet, this is the perfect time to do so and be part of what’s coming.

Also, we’re curious, have you had a chance to read any of the books Slow Fashion Movement has shared? You can find the links in the newsletter, and if you’ve already read them, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. 💚

Prefer reading on your phone?
Download the Substack app so you never miss an edition.

Get the Substack App

To celebrate Earth Month, we’re launching the Slow Fashion for Earth Challenge, 30 days of simple, intentional actions to care for your clothes and the planet. Each week focuses on a different way to engage more consciously with your wardrobe:

✨ Week 1: Rewear & Restyle
Repeat outfits and explore new ways to style what you already own.

✨ Week 2: Know Your Clothes
Learn about the fabrics in your wardrobe — are they natural or synthetic? Where do they come from?

✨ Week 3: Repair & Upcycle
Fix small damages, replace buttons, or transform pieces you no longer wear into something new.

✨ Week 4: Conscious Shopping
Thrift, swap, or challenge yourself to go a full week without buying anything new.

You can join by following along, taking part in the weekly prompts, and sharing your journey with the community using #SlowFashionForEarth

Follow the challenge on Instagram

The Joy of Repair: Why Mending Matters More Than Ever

By Emily Southcombe

Repair is becoming more important than ever in the face of the growing textile waste crisis. This piece explores how mending can be a practical and meaningful response, from reducing environmental impact to building stronger community connections through repair cafés and local initiatives.

By choosing to repair, we not only extend the life of our clothes, but also reconnect with their value, save money, and take small steps toward a more conscious way of living.

Read the full blog

Book Release

We’re also excited to highlight the release of The Nature of Fashion by Carry Somers.

In this powerful book, Carry explores the deep connection between nature and fashion, tracing the origins of fibres, dyes and materials through history while inviting us to rethink how our clothing relates to the natural world.

Blending research, storytelling and cultural history, The Nature of Fashion reconnects fashion with its ecological roots and encourages a more thoughtful relationship with what we wear.

Learn more about the book

Fashion 2.0

A Resilient Future in the Making

Fast fashion products are created to meet trends rather than to last. Designed, produced, and distributed at high speed, they prioritize immediacy over durability and volume over value.

Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making explores how sustainability is reshaping the fashion industry, moving away from mindless consumption and toward a more conscious, resilient, and purpose-driven system.

This ebook is part of Slow Fashion Movement’s Learning Lab and offers insights for anyone interested in understanding the cultural, social, and environmental shifts needed to build a fashion future that truly lasts.

Ebook

The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear; it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

We would like to start by saying a huge thank you for the overwhelming response to apply for the Learning Lab Spring Batch 2026. We are truly inspired by the enthusiasm, passion, and commitment shown by our global community.

If you missed the application deadline or are still considering joining Learning Lab, there will be another opportunity. The next batch will be the Autumn Batch, running from September to November 2026.

The official announcement for the Autumn Batch will be shared soon, so stay tuned for updates and application details. In the meantime, if you would like to express your interest, feel free to reach out to us at learninglab@slowfashion.global

We look forward to continuing this journey of learning, collaboration, and impact together.

Stay informed about upcoming Learning Lab announcements.

Follow us on Instagram

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labour practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Let’s keep making a difference together,

Karen Zolá 💖

SFM Newsletter Team:

Chloé, Karen, Basil & Sangeeta

Hello Slow Fashionistas,

I’m very excited to share that the team behind the newsletter is growing, and we are currently preparing new surprises for the upcoming editions. Soon you will start seeing new sections, including fashion industry news, local brands, sustainable brands, interviews, and more. I promise you won’t want to miss it.

If you haven’t subscribed to the SFM newsletter yet, now is the perfect time! It’s completely free and you’ll only receive our newsletter in your inbox. No spam, we promise.

You can also download the Substack app to read the newsletter there. Most of the time we spend our day on our phones, so this is a great way to make sure you never miss an edition.

And as always, if you have questions, comments, suggestions, or a favorite local brand you’d like us to discover, feel free to leave it in the comments. We would love to explore it and possibly include it in future editions so more people can get to know it.

I hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter. Keep reading to discover our latest blog post and more. 💚

Prefer reading on your phone?
Download the Substack app so you never miss an edition.

Get the Substack App

Decluttering Your Wardrobe? 5 Ethical Ways to Pass Clothes On

By Steffi Haenicke

Spring often inspires us to refresh our spaces and rethink what we keep in our wardrobes. But decluttering doesn’t have to mean sending clothes straight to waste.

In this new blog, Steffi Haenicke explores five ethical ways to pass clothes on, from resale apps and clothing swaps to upcycling, textile recycling and intentional donations.

If you’re thinking about refreshing your wardrobe this season, this guide offers thoughtful ideas to help extend the life of garments and reduce textile waste.

Read the full blog

Book Release

We’re also excited to highlight the release of The Nature of Fashion by Carry Somers.

In this powerful book, Carry explores the deep connection between nature and fashion, tracing the origins of fibres, dyes and materials through history while inviting us to rethink how our clothing relates to the natural world.

Blending research, storytelling and cultural history, The Nature of Fashion reconnects fashion with its ecological roots and encourages a more thoughtful relationship with what we wear.

Learn more about the book

Fashion 2.0

A Resilient Future in the Making

Fast fashion products are created to meet trends rather than to last. Designed, produced, and distributed at high speed, they prioritize immediacy over durability and volume over value.

Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making explores how sustainability is reshaping the fashion industry, moving away from mindless consumption and toward a more conscious, resilient, and purpose-driven system.

This ebook is part of Slow Fashion Movement’s Learning Lab and offers insights for anyone interested in understanding the cultural, social, and environmental shifts needed to build a fashion future that truly lasts.

Ebook

The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear; it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

We would like to start by saying a huge thank you for the overwhelming response to apply for the Learning Lab Spring Batch 2026. We are truly inspired by the enthusiasm, passion, and commitment shown by our global community.

If you missed the application deadline or are still considering joining Learning Lab, there will be another opportunity. The next batch will be the Autumn Batch, running from September to November 2026.

The official announcement for the Autumn Batch will be shared soon, so stay tuned for updates and application details. In the meantime, if you would like to express your interest, feel free to reach out to us at learninglab@slowfashion.global

We look forward to continuing this journey of learning, collaboration, and impact together.

Stay informed about upcoming Learning Lab announcements.

Follow us on Instagram

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labour practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Let’s keep making a difference together,

Karen Zolá 💖

SFM Newsletter Team:

Chloé, Karen, Basil & Sangeeta

Hello Slow Fashionistas,

This month, we focus on how learning becomes an act of change.

Whenever something truly interests us, we investigate.
We watch videos.
We ask questions.
We read.
We search for a deeper understanding.

If you are reading this newsletter, it is likely because slow fashion resonates with you. If you are new here, welcome! And if you have been part of this community for a while and have questions, comments, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment. We are always inspired to see this community grow and to witness more people discovering Slow Fashion Movement.

Learning is not about making every decision perfectly. It is about making decisions consciously. One of the most powerful ways to do that is by seeking knowledge and applying it to the choices we make every day.

In this edition, we invite you to continue exploring. You will find our latest blog on fur, its history, its evolution, and its ethical and environmental implications. Understanding the story behind what we wear allows us to question, reflect, and consider whether there are alternatives that align more closely with our values.

Because when we choose to learn, we choose to change. 💚

Fur Through the Ages: From Essential to Extravagance

By Refka Elarfi

This article explores the complex history of fur, from a survival necessity to a symbol of power, luxury, industrialization, and ethical debate.

The journey of fur reflects shifting human values and the evolving relationship between fashion, status, animal welfare, and environmental responsibility.

As real fur declines and faux alternatives rise, new questions emerge. Are alternatives always sustainable? What trade-offs accompany innovation?

This piece invites us to look beyond appearance and examine the deeper systems behind what we wear.

Read the full article here

New release

We are excited to share that Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making and The Wardrobe Within: Journey into Fashion via Spirituality are the latest ebooks released by Slow Fashion Movement.

These new publications mark an important step in our ongoing work to explore and support more conscious, resilient, and holistic approaches to fashion—bridging industry transformation with personal reflection and intention.

In addition to these newest releases, other SFM ebooks are also available, offering further insights into slow fashion, sustainability, and mindful consumption.

Fashion 2.0

A Resilient Future in the Making

Fast fashion products are created to meet trends rather than to last. Designed, produced, and distributed at high speed, they prioritize immediacy over durability and volume over value.

Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making explores how sustainability is reshaping the fashion industry, moving away from mindless consumption and toward a more conscious, resilient, and purpose-driven system.

This ebook is part of Slow Fashion Movement’s Learning Lab and offers insights for anyone interested in understanding the cultural, social, and environmental shifts needed to build a fashion future that truly lasts.

Ebook

The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear; it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks — and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

We would like to start by saying a huge thank you for the overwhelming response to apply for the Learning Lab Spring Batch 2026. We are truly inspired by the enthusiasm, passion, and commitment shown by our global community.

If you missed the application deadline or are still considering joining Learning Lab, there will be another opportunity. The next batch will be the Autumn Batch, running from September to November 2026.

The official announcement for the Autumn Batch will be shared soon, so stay tuned for updates and application details. In the meantime, if you would like to express your interest, feel free to reach out to us at learninglab@slowfashion.global

We look forward to continuing this journey of learning, collaboration, and impact together.

Stay informed about upcoming Learning Lab announcements.

Follow us on Instagram

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labour practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Let’s keep making a difference together,

Karen Zolá

SFM Newsletter Team: Chloé & Karen

Hello Slow Fashionistas,

This month, as we reflect on friendship and community, we also want to reflect on our relationship with our clothes. Do we treat them with the same patience we offer people we care about? Do we repair instead of replace? Do we listen to what they need?

Love is not just a feeling. It is care. It is attention. It is choosing to nurture what matters.

Love can look like repeating an outfit that already holds memories.
Like repairing a piece you are not ready to let go of.
Like choosing meaning over impulse.
Like wearing something that makes you feel fully yourself.

In a culture that constantly encourages us to move on to the next new thing, slow fashion invites us to pause. To look again. To reconnect. Maybe falling back in love does not always mean starting over. Sometimes, it simply means rediscovering what has already been there for us.

Because the most meaningful relationships with our people, with our clothes, and with our planet are not disposable.

Slow fashion is not only about buying differently. It is about caring differently.

And that changes everything.

New release

We are excited to share that Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making and The Wardrobe Within: Journey into Fashion via Spirituality are the latest ebooks released by Slow Fashion Movement.

These new publications mark an important step in our ongoing work to explore and support more conscious, resilient, and holistic approaches to fashion—bridging industry transformation with personal reflection and intention.

In addition to these newest releases, other SFM ebooks are also available, offering further insights into slow fashion, sustainability, and mindful consumption.

Fashion 2.0

A Resilient Future in the Making

Fast fashion products are created to meet trends rather than to last. Designed, produced, and distributed at high speed, they prioritize immediacy over durability and volume over value.

Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making explores how sustainability is reshaping the fashion industry, moving away from mindless consumption and toward a more conscious, resilient, and purpose-driven system.

This ebook is part of Slow Fashion Movement’s Learning Lab and offers insights for anyone interested in understanding the cultural, social, and environmental shifts needed to build a fashion future that truly lasts.

Ebook

The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear; it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks — and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

We would like to start by saying a huge thank you for the overwhelming response to apply for the Learning Lab Spring Batch 2026. We are truly inspired by the enthusiasm, passion, and commitment shown by our global community.

If you missed the application deadline or are still considering joining Learning Lab, there will be another opportunity. The next batch will be the Autumn Batch, running from September to November 2026.

The official announcement for the Autumn Batch will be shared soon, so stay tuned for updates and application details. In the meantime, if you would like to express your interest, feel free to reach out to us at learninglab@slowfashion.global

We look forward to continuing this journey of learning, collaboration, and impact together.

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labour practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Let’s keep making a difference together,

Karen Zolá

SFM Newsletter Team: Chloé & Karen

Hello Slow Fashionistas, in some countries, February is associated with love and friendship. While the dates and traditions may vary around the world, the essence remains the same: the importance of being surrounded by people who inspire us, support us, and encourage us to keep moving forward and becoming better versions of ourselves.

This month, we want to focus on friendship and community, on the power of meaningful connections and the impact of growing alongside people who share similar values.

That is exactly what the Slow Fashion Movement community represents. A global community where more and more people are coming together, united by a shared love for slow fashion and a collective desire to improve the fashion industry. From different parts of the world, individuals contribute in their own way, through a post, a reel, an event, an ebook, or a conversation, working together to reach more people and create lasting impact.

We’re excited to share a special community initiative by Slow Fashion Movement, hosted in collaboration with our ambassador Miss Kayce and partner venue Zero Ten Park.

As part of her ongoing denim donation partnership with Zero Ten Park, an official drop-off point, Kayce has been given an exclusive perk for her community. To softly and intentionally mark Slow Fashion February, she’s hosting a community co-working day designed around productivity, presence, and connection at our own pace.

Whether you’re looking to network with fellow founders or simply need a distraction-free space to focus on your work, the doors are open. Come experience the space, enjoy the atmosphere, and see how a professional environment can help elevate your output.

Event Details

Date: February 11
Location: Zero Ten Park, Makati (Premium 11th-floor facilities)

Participants will have full access to Zero Ten Park’s professional workspace, including:

• Focus Pods for deep, uninterrupted work

• Interactive Areas for organic networking and business matching

• Fuel for your Brain: Unlimited coffee, tea, and filtered water

• Professional Environment
  (Please note: ID required and a “no slippers” dress code applies)

If you’d like to join, simply click the button below to register and secure your spot.

Space is limited. Entry instructions and access details will be shared with confirmed guests only.

Register here!

New release

We are excited to share that Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making and The Wardrobe Within: Journey into Fashion via Spirituality are the latest ebooks released by Slow Fashion Movement.

These new publications mark an important step in our ongoing work to explore and support more conscious, resilient, and holistic approaches to fashion—bridging industry transformation with personal reflection and intention.

In addition to these newest releases, other SFM ebooks are also available, offering further insights into slow fashion, sustainability, and mindful consumption.

Fashion 2.0

A Resilient Future in the Making

Fast fashion products are created to meet trends rather than to last. Designed, produced, and distributed at high speed, they prioritize immediacy over durability and volume over value.

Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making explores how sustainability is reshaping the fashion industry, moving away from mindless consumption and toward a more conscious, resilient, and purpose-driven system.

This ebook is part of Slow Fashion Movement’s Learning Lab and offers insights for anyone interested in understanding the cultural, social, and environmental shifts needed to build a fashion future that truly lasts.

Ebook

The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear; it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks — and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

SFM Learning Lab is coming back in 2026 - applications open!

We are so excited to announce the official opening of the spring batch of Learning Lab 2026!

After our 2025 first edition, SFM is launching a new hub for deep dives, practical skills and expert insights into making the fashion industry better.

This time, we will onboard 15 interns. So, if you’re a student or a professional interested in being part of our SFM community, we invite you to send us an email at learninglab@slowfashion.global

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labour practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Let’s keep making a difference together,

Karen Zolá

SFM Newsletter Team: Chloé & Karen

Hello Slow Fashionistas, Happy New Year! ✨
As we step into 2026, we want to begin the year slowly and mindfully, without the pressure that often comes with resolutions. Instead of rushing into lists and expectations, this first newsletter of the year is an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters to you. There is no single way to begin a new year, only what feels honest and sustainable for where you are right now.

Rather than asking what needs to be achieved, we invite you to ask how you want to feel this year. Your intentions can be simple, evolving, imperfect, or still undefined, and they are all valid. Growth does not always look like big milestones. Sometimes it lives in choosing care, consistency, and awareness in the small, everyday moments.

We would love to make this a shared beginning. If you would like to join the conversation, we invite you to share your intentions, reflections, or hopes for 2026 with us through a comment or a message on our social channels. Tell us what you are bringing into this year, what you are gently leaving behind, and what you hope to nurture in the months ahead. Let us begin 2026 together with openness, curiosity, and intention.

“A Year of Collective Impact “

Dear SFM Global Community,

As we begin 2026, we find ourselves reflecting with deep gratitude on all that 2025 brought, growth, learning, challenges, and the strength of our global community.

Thank you for showing up, for your conversations, your questions, your creativity, your courage to challenge fast fashion norms, and your belief that a better fashion system is not only possible, but necessary. This past year has been a powerful reminder that Slow Fashion Movement is not just an organisation, it is a collective of conscious citizens across geographies, cultures, and lived experiences.

From campaigns and collaborations to community dialogues and educational initiatives, 2025 reaffirmed why a consumer-led movement matters. Change does not begin in boardrooms alone, it begins with informed choices, shared learning, and collective action. And each one of you has been part of that momentum.

As we step into 2026, we do so with renewed clarity and hope. The work ahead is important, and it is long-term, but it is also deeply meaningful. In the coming months, we look forward to strengthening our global community, deepening partnerships, and continuing to build spaces where learning, advocacy, and action intersect.

I’m also excited to share that applications for the Spring batch of SFM Learning Lab—our educational wing—will be opening soon. Learning Lab is close to our heart, as it reflects our belief that education is one of the strongest tools for systems change in fashion. We can’t wait to welcome a new cohort of learners, thinkers, and change-makers into this journey.

Thank you for walking alongside us, for trusting the process, and for believing in slow, intentional change, even when the world pushes for speed.

Here’s to 2026.
To learning together.
To building together.
To moving the fashion industry forward, slowly, consciously, and collectively!

With gratitude,
Puja Mj
On behalf of the Slow Fashion Movement team

New release: We are excited to share that Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making was officially launched today.

This newly released ebook marks an important step in our ongoing work to explore and support more conscious and resilient approaches to fashion.

Fashion 2.0

A Resilient Future in the Making

Fast fashion products are created to meet trends rather than to last. Designed, produced, and distributed at high speed, they prioritize immediacy over durability and volume over value.

Fashion 2.0: A Resilient Future in the Making explores how sustainability is reshaping the fashion industry, moving away from mindless consumption and toward a more conscious, resilient, and purpose-driven system.

This ebook is part of Slow Fashion Movement’s Learning Lab and offers insights for anyone interested in understanding the cultural, social, and environmental shifts needed to build a fashion future that truly lasts.

Ebook

The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear; it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks — and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

SFM Learning Lab is coming back in 2026 - applications open!

We are so excited to announce the official opening of the spring batch of Learning Lab 2026!

After our 2025 first edition, SFM is launching a new hub for deep dives, practical skills and expert insights into making the fashion industry better.

This time, we will onboard 15 interns. So, if you’re a student or a professional interested in being part of our SFM community, kindly fill out the enquiry form below for more information. And stay tuned for future opportunities! 🎓♻️👗

Sign up for SFM Learning Lab

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labour practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Let’s keep making a difference together,

Karen Zolá

SFM Newsletter Team: Chloé & Karen

Hello, Slow Fashionistas,

As we come to the close of another year, we wanted to pause and take a moment to say thank you.

Slow Fashion Movement exists because of people.
People who care deeply.
People who show up, even when life is busy.
People who believe that fashion can be a tool for change, community, and care.

This final edition of the year is dedicated to SFM volunteers, the voices, hands, and hearts that hold this movement together.

Throughout 2025, our volunteers have contributed in so many ways: creating content, sharing knowledge, supporting campaigns, amplifying important conversations, and reminding us that slow fashion is not just an idea — it’s a practice built through collective effort.

Below, we’re honored to share a few reflections from some of our SFM volunteers.

The Year We Wore Our Values: Stories From SFM Volunteers

At the heart of Slow Fashion Movement are people from different parts of the world, united by shared values and a collective intention to slow down, question the system, and build something more thoughtful together.

Below, we share a few reflections from some of the SFM volunteers.

Puja Mj

Board Slow Fashion Movement - Mumbai, India

This year, Puja’s intention was to strengthen the foundation of the movement — building key resources, supporting campaigns, and working closely with volunteers to turn ideas into action.

One of her biggest takeaways was seeing how structure, collaboration, and clear roles made it possible to execute multiple campaigns and launch new initiatives like the Learning Lab, even amidst challenges.

“Volunteering with SFM this year meant structuring the movement — turning ideas into working initiatives through planning, coordination, and iteration.”

Her message to the community is a powerful reminder:

“Never stop believing in yourself and your ability as a change maker. Building a movement through baby steps takes trust, patience, and collaboration.”

Owen Taylor

Community Partnerships Lead — Philadelphia, United States

For Owen, volunteering with SFM was about offering more of himself, joining a global movement, and connecting with others who share similar values.

Through his role, he gained a deeper awareness of time management, personal limits, and the importance of aligning daily habits with long-term values.

“Volunteering with SFM this year meant taking a closer look at myself — my consumer habits, my working habits, and my ability to maintain my values while navigating everyday life.”

Kristine Ceirane

Ambassador Co-ordinator — Cromer, UK

Kristine’s focus this year was bringing slow fashion values into physical spaces. From participating in local sustainable markets to supporting ambassadors at community events and fashion weeks, her work centered on real-world impact.

One standout moment was the Sustainable Lifestyle Market at the University of East Anglia, where she saw firsthand how engaged and curious younger generations are about sustainability.

“Volunteering with SFM this year meant exploring new paths.”

Her reminder to the community is both simple and powerful:

“The most sustainable wardrobe is the one you already own.”

Ayda Shamsaei

PR & Marketing Lead — Esfahan, Iran
Volunteer since May 2025

For Ayda, volunteering with SFM was deeply tied to creating positive impact while pursuing her passion for fashion. One of the most meaningful moments of her year was leading the Know Your Luxury campaign, from designing and launching the project to collaborating closely with the team.

Beyond the work itself, Ayda shared how the movement helped her reconnect with the idea of slowing down, even during stressful moments.

“Volunteering with SFM this year meant there is always light, even during dark times.”

As she reflects on becoming part of the SFM family, one quote continues to resonate with her:
“Have certainty beyond logic.”

These stories reflect the many ways our volunteers live and practice slow fashion, through leadership, learning, collaboration, and everyday choices.

They are a reminder that movements are sustained not by perfection, but by people who care, show up, and grow together.

Slowing Down, With Intention

As we move into the end of December, Slow Fashion Movement will be pausing for two weeks.

This pause is intentional. It’s an invitation to rest, reflect, and reconnect, with ourselves, our communities, and the values that brought us here in the first place.

We’ll be back in early January, refreshed and ready to continue the work together.

The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear; it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks — and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

Now Released: Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

Our SFM online learning lab

Slow Fashion Movement is thrilled to announce the very firsts launch of SFM Learning Lab 2025-26: a new hub for deep dives, practical skills and expert insights into making the fashion industry better.

Are you a student or a professional interested in being a part of a slow fashion lab? Fill out the enquiry form for more information. And stay tuned for more fantastic updates. 🎓

Sign up for SFM Learning Lab

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labour practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Setting Our Intention for 2026

As we look ahead, we do so with gratitude and clarity.

Our intention for 2026 is simple, yet powerful: to continue building a movement rooted in care, collaboration, and conscious growth.

We step into the new year knowing that slow fashion is not about perfectio, it’s about intention. About choosing better when we can. About listening. About supporting one another.

To every volunteer, supporter, reader, and community member:
thank you for being part of Slow Fashion Movement.

We can’t wait to continue this journey with you!

With appreciation,
Chloé & Karen - from SFM Newsletter Team

Hello Slow Fashionistas, have you ever questioned what lies behind luxury brands? This month at Slow Fashion Movement, we’ve been exploring exactly that, the stories, values, and histories behind some of the most iconic names in luxury. It’s an interesting topic, and one that continues to reveal how much there is to learn about the industry and its evolution.

We hope it also sparks your curiosity, and we would love to hear your thoughts. Your perspectives always enrich our conversations, and we truly enjoy reading what you share with us.

In this edition, we highlight a new blog that uncovers the origins of several renowned luxury brands, as well as an upcoming event where we’ll dive deeper into how luxury is shifting from status to substance.

Luxury is changing, and awareness is where that change begins. Let’s explore it together.

The Dark Side of Luxury Fashion & Why It Matters in 2025

By Natalia Lizama

Luxury fashion has long positioned itself as the opposite of fast fashion. But behind the prestige lies a growing list of controversies, from labour exploitation to the environmental impact of wool and cashmere, wasteful practices, and a lack of real transparency. Behind the glamour, the industry faces growing concerns around labour conditions, environmental impact, overproduction, and sustainability promises that don’t always match reality.

Luxury fashion has always promised craftsmanship, heritage, and timeless beauty. In this month’s feature, Natalia Lizama explores the hidden pressures shaping luxury today and why these conversations matter for anyone striving for a more conscious fashion system. What luxury claims to represent, slow fashion seeks to make real.

Read the full blog

Luxury Decoded: The Standards That Set Fashion’s Elite Apart

By Puja Mj

What truly defines a luxury brand in 2025? Beyond price tags and iconic logos, luxury is shaped by heritage, craftsmanship, scarcity, storytelling, and the emotional value we attach to what we wear. In this month’s blog, Puja Mj unpacks the standards, institutions, and evolving expectations that continue to shape the meaning of “true luxury”, and how these ideas intersect with mindful, sustainable fashion.

From heritage and craftsmanship to exclusivity, experience, and responsibility, this blog explores the elements that set luxury apart, while also questioning how these standards can evolve toward transparency and ethics.

Read the full blog

The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear; it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks — and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

Now Released: Transparency in Luxury Report

Evaluating Sustainability Reporting Practices of Global Luxury Fashion Brands

As part of our ‘Know Your Luxury’ campaign, we are also excited to share a new publication that delves into one of the most pressing topics in luxury today: transparency.

This report examines the sustainability claims of major global luxury fashion brands and assesses whether their reporting practices align with international standards of accountability. It sheds light on the gap between what brands promise and what they actually disclose, offering a clearer picture of how “responsibility” is defined in luxury today.

Read the full report

Our SFM online learning lab

Slow Fashion Movement is thrilled to announce the very firsts launch of SFM Learning Lab 2025-26: a new hub for deep dives, practical skills and expert insights into making the fashion industry better.

Are you a student or a professional interested in being a part of a slow fashion lab? Fill out the enquiry form for more information. And stay tuned for more fantastic updates. 🎓

Sign up for SFM Learning Lab

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labour practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Let’s keep making a difference together,

Karen - from SFM Newsletter Team

Hello Slow Fashionistas, have you ever questioned what lies behind luxury brands? This month at Slow Fashion Movement, we’ve been exploring exactly that, the stories, values, and histories behind some of the most iconic names in luxury. It’s an interesting topic, and one that continues to reveal how much there is to learn about the industry and its evolution.

We hope it also sparks your curiosity, and we would love to hear your thoughts. Your perspectives always enrich our conversations, and we truly enjoy reading what you share with us.

In this edition, we highlight a new blog that uncovers the origins of several renowned luxury brands, as well as an upcoming event where we’ll dive deeper into how luxury is shifting from status to substance.

Luxury is changing, and awareness is where that change begins. Let’s explore it together.

The evolution of luxury: from status to substance

With Suad Fakih
Date: 16th November 2025
Time: 3:00 PM CET
Location: Online via Zoom

Join us as we dive into the shifting world of modern luxury. In this live session, Suad Fakih will explore how luxury has evolved from a symbol of exclusivity and status to a concept rooted in meaning, value, and cultural relevance.

Suad brings a rare and insightful perspective shaped by her experience in venture capital, growth strategy, and the future of luxury markets. She’ll unpack the forces redefining the sector, from next-generation consumers and new value signals, to technology’s role in reshaping the industry and the rise of resale as a core pillar in the luxury ecosystem.

What we’ll cover:

• Redefining Luxury: New Values & Signals

• The Next Generation Consumer: Gen Z & Alpha

• How technology is reshaping luxury

• Resale becoming a core part of the luxury ecosystem

Don’t miss this conversation, a unique opportunity to understand how luxury is transforming and what the future holds for brands, creators, and conscious consumers.

Register here

The Second Life of Luxury: Can Circularity Be Exclusive?

Speakers: Zofia Zwieglinska & Claudia Ojeda
Date: 20 November 2025 Time: 9:00 –10:00 AM PST
Location: Online Event

Luxury is entering a new chapter, one where craftsmanship, responsibility, and innovation intersect. In this panel, we explore what “exclusive” means in a world increasingly defined by circularity.

Zofia Zwieglinska will examine how circularity is reshaping luxury, influencing brand strategies, material choices, and evolving consumer expectations. Claudia Ojeda will explore the role of technology in accelerating sustainable design, enabling smarter systems, and unlocking innovation within the high-end sector.

If you’re curious about the future of luxury, one where heritage and sustainability coexist, this conversation is essential. It offers a forward-thinking look at how luxury can extend its lifespan while embracing a more conscious and responsible model.

Register here

Every Name Tells a Story: How the World’s Top Luxury Brands Got Theirs

By Rachel Humby

What’s behind a name?
In the world of luxury, the answer is: heritage, identity, and a legacy of craft.

In this new article, Rachel Humby explores how some of the world’s most iconic luxury brands, including Loewe, Hermès, Johnstons of Elgin, and Burberry, inherited much more than their founders’ surnames. Their names carry decades (and in some cases centuries) of values: dedication to craftsmanship, innovation, beauty, heritage, and timeless design.

From Loewe’s roots as a collective of master leather artisans, to Hermès’ equestrian beginnings, to Johnstons of Elgin’s 228-year wool legacy, and Thomas Burberry’s invention of gabardine, each story reveals the profound connection between a brand’s name and its philosophy.

“Each founder was fully committed to their vision, dedicated to their craft, and proud to bestow their own name upon it.”

As Rachel reminds us, today’s luxury leaders now carry the responsibility of honouring those legacies while shaping a future where luxury evolves with purpose.

Read the full blog here

New Release: The Wardrobe Within

Journey into Fashion via Spirituality

Fashion is more than what we wear, it’s a reflection of who we are.
Our new e-book, The Wardrobe Within, written by Bhawana Pingali in collaboration with Revastra and Slow Fashion Movement, explores how fabric and spirit intertwine to shape identity, emotion, and connection.

Discover how every garment can hold meaning, memory, and energy.

Get your free copy on the link below.

Ebook

Discover our other eBooks — and start your sustainable journey today! 📚

Read our other ebooks!

New - SFM online lab

Slow Fashion Movement is thrilled to announce the very firsts launch of SFM Learning Lab 2025-26: a new hub for deep dives, practical skills and expert insights into making the fashion industry better.

Are you a student or a professional interested in being a part of a slow fashion lab? Fill out the enquiry form for more information. And stay tuned for more fantastic updates. 🎓

Sign up for SFM Learning Lab

Reminder about Slow Fashion Season 2025

👚 What’s Slow Fashion Season?

It’s an annual campaign led by Slow Fashion Movement inviting you to hit pause on fast fashion. For 3 months, 90 days, we commit to mindful fashion choices.

🌱 How to get involved?

Easy: sign the pledge, spread the word! Join the challenge and become conscious of your fashion choices.

Did you know that, since 2018, thousands have pledged to slow down their fashion with SFM? We joined, will you?

Join us, make it count!

Would you like to continue supporting Our Mission?

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of spreading awareness and driving change in the fashion industry.

Your Support helps us:

• Host online educational content that reaches people worldwide

• Aids in establishing partnerships that uphold fair labour practices

• Contributes to hosting in-person workshops and events that inspire upcycling and transform old into new

• Helps us sustain our research practices to drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future & more...

I want to donate!

Stay tuned, connect with us!

Website

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Let’s keep making a difference together,

Karen, from SFM Newsletter Team

Hello Slow Fashionistas, this month brings a very special campaign, and if you already follow us on social media, you probably know what we’re talking about: #KnowYourLuxury.

Personally, I find this campaign very interesting, as it invites us to reflect on what luxury really means today. Through our #KnowYourLuxury campaign, we explore the evolution of luxury, from its roots to its modern reinvention, and how conscious choices can shape a more responsible and meaningful future for fashion.

We also invite you to discover our latest e-book “The Wardrobe Within: Journey into Fashion via Spirituality”, a reflective piece that bridges the connection between fabric and soul.

And don’t miss our upcoming event “Beyond the Atelier: Redefining Careers in Modern Luxury” with David Watts, where we’ll uncover how purpose and creativity are transforming the fashion industry from within.

Let’s keep redefining what luxury means, mindful, meaningful, and made to last, and continue reading to explore everything we have prepared for you this month.

Beyond the Atelier

Redefining Careers in Modern Luxury
November 9, 2025 | 6:00–7:00 AM PST
Online event hosted by Slow Fashion Movement

Join David Watts for an inspiring talk that pulls back the curtain on the luxury fashion industry, from mentorship and networking to redefining success with purpose.

Discover what it means to build a conscious career in modern luxury and explore how passion, creativity, and responsibility can coexist in today’s evolving landscape.

Perfect for students, emerging professionals, and anyone curious about transforming passion into purpose within the world of high-end fashion.

Register here!