ASOS to Kickstart a New Wave of Sustainable Fashion

One of the UK’s leading online retailers , ASOS, has released details and efforts to progress into a sustainable future.

Back in 2017 at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit,( part 2020 Circular Fashion Commitments) ASOS pledged to explore more sustainable design techniques. In doing so, the brand has just announced that they are teaming up with London College of Fashion’s Centre for Sustainability (CFS) to launch an innovative programme for designers to become educated on all things sustainable.

Large fashion brands brands have started to see young designers begin to pioneer sustainability within fashion; for example, after graduating from Central Saint Martins MA, Richard Quinn was given £45,000 through H&M’s Design Award. He used this to set up his print workshop which uses 70% less water and 80% less energy than traditional techniques would use. Designers like Quinn are setting the standard for sustainability in the industry raising the bar for the ‘big leagues’.

ASOS has also announced that by January 2019 they will ban products using cashmere silk, down and feathers across its entire platform. This is following in the footsteps of major luxury fashion brands like Gucci who have recently banned fur in all their departments. CEO of Ganni, Nicolaj Reffstrup, who are stocked by ASOS, said during the summit last year ‘that it’s up to big business to innovate and lead the way with the industry…’. Meaning brands look up to luxury brands and business to know what steps to take in order to make positive change ASOS’ positive change should further influence global brands one eco friendly step at a time.

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