In the pulse of Asian fashion, there is a force quietly driving the revolution of this industry – circular fashion. Redress, a non-profit environmental organization deeply rooted in Hong Kong and focused on Asia, is committed to accelerating the transformation of the fashion industry through educating designers and guiding consumer behavior. Its latest industry report, supported by the Wealth Company Foundation, focuses on analyzing the crucial role of fashion designers in China and Southeast Asia, as well as the challenges and opportunities they face in the global export of approximately 60% of clothing, textiles, and footwear.
The fashion industry is currently facing an environmental crisis, largely due to the unchanging linear production model. It is estimated that thousands of new garments are created each year, a number that has doubled since 2006. After completing their lifecycle, most of these garments are buried or burned within a year. The fashion industry’s carbon emissions already account for one-tenth of global emissions, and if this trend continues, it could deplete a quarter of the world’s carbon budget by 2050.
The fashion design phase is a key driver of product environmental impact, with estimates suggesting that every decision made by designers will affect 80% of a product’s environmental footprint. However, industry reports indicate a gap in knowledge and resources, with 79% of respondents admitting challenges in implementing circular design practices. Financial barriers are also significant, with 71% of respondents identifying cost as the main obstacle to choosing sustainable materials, while a lack of management attention and collaboration hinders progress.
Christina Dean, founder of Redress, points out that the Asian fashion industry is struggling to build the capacity for future supply chains. The regulations of the European Union on the environmental and social impact of the fashion industry are becoming increasingly strict, which has a profound impact on Asia, especially those countries that export textiles to the European Union. She emphasizes the urgent need for investment in circular fashion, from recycling and reuse to the development of new materials, as well as resource reallocation and talent skill development.
Redress’s survey received feedback from 195 fashion professionals worldwide and conducted in-depth interviews with fashion industry workers and sustainable design educators in Europe, China, and Southeast Asia.
From the survey results, Redress calls on the fashion industry in the Asia-Pacific region to narrow the knowledge gap through education and capacity building, further promoting circular practices in the design stage; and with the support of senior management, create a more collaborative working environment.
Gloria Schoch, Executive Director of the Wealth Fund and Senior Director of Wealth Company, emphasized the importance of educational designers and how to pass on these values to the new generation of designers to achieve sustainable development in the fashion industry.
Redress’s educational work provides knowledge about circular and sustainable design theory and technology through partnerships with industry leaders and over 170 universities. In addition, the Redress Knowledge Hub, a free online resource platform, has received over 68,000 clicks this year, demonstrating a significant demand for knowledge about circular fashion.
In the case of collaboration between Redress, Luen Yick Garment Factory, and Delta Global, emerging designers were challenged to redesign waste in factory production lines, showcasing the potential of circular design. Both Rod Henderson, President of Luen Yick Garment Factory, and Robert Lockyer, Founder of Delta Global, emphasized the importance of senior leadership and management, as well as the significance of investing in knowledge for the future of the business.
Redress showcased its industry report at the Asian Fashion Summit (Hong Kong) and Shanghai Fashion Week, and signed a memorandum of understanding in collaboration with the Shenzhen Garment Industry Association, marking an important step towards the commitment to sustainable fashion in China and further cooperation.
