Global Momentum in Circular Fashion Innovation
I recently had the privilege of attending the Fashion InStyle Expo in Hong Kong, (thank you AFC and HKTDC) an event that brought together some of the world's most forward-thinking innovators in sustainable textiles and circular fashion innovations. This trip offered me a timely opportunity to experience the global momentum firsthand. What I discovered has challenged my assumptions, particularly around materials innovation and sustainable textiles and deepened my commitment to building long term relationships with circular innovators around the world.
The first thing that struck me was how truly global circular fashion is becoming. Companies from Europe, Asia and Oceania were presenting new materials and technologies that moved far beyond recycled polyester and organic cotton. From fully circular textile manufacturing in the Czech Republic through NIL Textile to climate-resilient fibres being developed in India through ALTMAT it was clear that innovation is happening at every stage of the supply chain across the world. Circularity is less of an optional add-on and more readily a new baseline expectation.
Bold Material Innovations from Around the World
Among the many innovators, a few stood out for their bold approaches to sustainable materials. NIL Textile from the Czech Republic demonstrated what a fully circular textile operation could look like, utilising innovative fibre blends and closed-loop production methods. AltMat from India showcased material science breakthroughs using agricultural waste to produce resilient, scalable fibres suited for global fashion markets. Nanoloom Limited from the United Kingdom introduced biodegradable graphene yarns, offering a glimpse into a future where performance and sustainability are seamlessly integrated. I was particularly taken by the potential of these materials in both medical applications and athleisurewear. Bao Lan Textiles from Vietnam were incredibly generous with their time, discussing their yarns made from sources such as pineaple, bamboo and even coffee grounds! Meeting with these companies made one thing very clear: the future of fashion materials will be defined by those who can create beauty, function and circularity in equal measure.
The Verification Gap: Why Certification Alone Is Not Enough
However, the trip also revealed a pressing gap. While innovation is abundant, the verification of sustainability claims is still patchy. Many companies had both remarkable stories and multiple certifications but it remained difficult to see how consumers could genuinely connect with data and standards. Certification seemed to be better understood when it was part of a broader organisational story, ie: the values of the organisation, the products and services that they develop and the partnerships they create.
This insight reinforced what I discovered by piloting a simple IQ Index during the Imagine Circular Fashion pop up at Adelaide Fashion Week. During that event we trialed a system for consumer-facing assessment that could bring together certifications and stories, providing a logic that helped us all to work through and distinguish between innovation from greenwashing.
Connecting Innovation, Storytelling and Circular Fashion Education
The insights gathered from the Fashion InStyle Expo will directly inform the next iteration of that IQ Index. As I explored material samples and spoke with suppliers I thought about how I could usefully connect these suppliers with designers, students and policy makers.
Reflecting on the Expo, it is evident that fashion will continue to play pivotal roles in circularity, not just through sourcing and design but importantly, through the stories and experiences that it represents. Circularity is already in motion. and we are proud to have been given the opportunity to participate, building connections across continents and bringing the best of global innovation home.
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My participation at the Fashion InSTYLE Expo was made possible by the kind support of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)
and through the Australian Fashion Council
Professor Angelina Russo, PHD, MBAHEM
I am the Designer and Founder of Fleurieu Made. I was an academic for many years and a designer for more. I continue to write to make sense of the world in between knitting and building the business. Contact me at angelina@fleurieumade.com