Innovation and Sustainability in the Luxury Fashion and Fabrics Industry

Abstract

The global textile and fashion industries represent one of the most polluting and waste-generating sectors in the world. The ecological impact is seen through the different steps of its product’s life cycle: “from fibre growth and manufacturing, dyeing and printing, transportation to stores and selling, to end of the garment life disposal” (Hill and Lee in Young generation Y consumers’ perceptions of sustainability in the apparel industry, 2012). Kaye (Textile recycling innovation challenges clothing industry, 2011) in his article (available at theguardian.com) displays very clearly the current ecological situation, highlighting the fabrics and fashion industries’ role. He explains that fashion becomes more and more affordable these recent years, thanks to big branches such as HM to draw future trends and possible solutions in these sectors. In order to do so, the study will also look at market studies to understand the country’s economic reactions to these new markets. A special focus is given to the following: (1) the importance of sourcing, (2) the retailers point of view, (3) the customers point of view, (4) the Y Generation concerns, (5) different sustainable organizations, (6) COP 21 encouragements, (7) the Smart textiles solutions, (8) two kind of market examples, (9) the future of sustainability in the luxury fashion and fabrics industries, (10) the limit of the sustainable model, (11) Sustainable innovation examples.