Sustainable Fashion News
EU Bans Greenwashing & It's Impact
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One of the biggest systematic shifts in fashion is happening now - impacting how fashion is made, sold, and disposed of.
The European Union recently adopted a new law that bans greenwashing and generic environmental claims such as ‘biodegradable’, ‘eco-friendly’, ‘natural’, etc. unless the brand can provide verified proof of sustainable efforts.
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Essentially, this new law cracks down on sustainability ‘buzz’ words in product marketing. Public authorities must approve all sustainability labels moving forward to reduce confusion and public misinformation.
“This law will change the everyday lives of all Europeans! We will step away from throwaway culture, make marketing more transparent and fight premature obsolescence of goods. People will be able to choose products that are more durable, repairable and sustainable thanks to reliable labels and advertisements. Most importantly, companies can no longer trick people by saying that plastic bottles are good because the company planted trees somewhere – or say that something is sustainable without explaining how. This is a big win for all of us!”
Bilijana Borzon, EU Parliament Reporter
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Under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy, brands and retailers operating in the EU will now be responsible for the full lifecycle and waste management of their clothes.
Source: European Parliament News
U.S. Retail Job Cuts
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Major retail companies are restructuring and cutting corporate and support-staff roles.
As of October 2025, U.S. retail companies have announced 88,664 job cuts, a 145% increase compared to 2024
Although retail is one of the hardest hit industries, U.S. companies across all sectors announced 153,074 job cuts - the highest in over 20 years.
Sources: Forbes, Retail Dive, DigiDay
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The increasing job cuts are caused by a number of industry shifts:
Cost-cuts driven by global tariffs and high trade duties.
Rise of AI and the adoption of automation across retail operations including inventory, logistics, or corporate support.
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Job loss ultimately reflects reduced disposable income which increases the demand for affordable, sustainable options like resale or thrift pieces. This drives the opportunity for circular and second-hand markets.
Retailers that rely on high volume fast-fashion may find it more difficult to stay profitable with these consumer and cultural shifts.
LAGOS FASHION WEEK
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Lagos Fashion Week is putting sustainability front and center by prioritizing circularity, craftsmanship and responsible design as core values, signaling that African fashion can lead globally on eco-conscious fashion systems.
Lagos Fashion Week was named a finalist for the 2025 Earthshot Prize (in the “Build a Waste-Free World” category) — a major international recognition of its sustainability efforts.
Sources: Pulse Nigeria, Vogue
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Repeatedly seen across the Lagos Fashion Week runways were circular design elements with recycled textiles, natural dyes, or low-impact processes, and cultural storytelling.
“I don’t just see it as fashion week; we see it as a statement that says African creativity belongs on the global stage, not just as inspiration, but as leadership in sustainability and accountability.”
Omoyemi Akerele, Founder of Lagos Fashion Week
FASHIONPHILE ACQUIRES LUXE COLLECTIVE
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On October 14, 2025, Fashionphile acquired the intellectual property, customer database, and social‑media assets of Luxe Collective, a UK‑based luxury resale marketplace.
This marks Fashionphile’s first major step into the UK and European market.
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