Sustainable fashion is an oxymoron. The very nature of sustainability and fashion (as we know it today) are at odds with each other. Yet, the industry continues to use the term “sustainable fashion” as a general umbrella, referring to the massive spectrum of clothing designed, manufactured, distributed, and consumed in less harmful ways to people and the planet. There are sustainable fashion events (hey 🙋🏾‍♀️), consultants, advocacy groups, college courses, degrees, job descriptions, and sustainability-linked bonds. Yet, there is no industry-recognized definition of sustainability, nor are there any agreed-upon metrics or requirements necessary to qualify as a sustainable product or brand. 🤯 Instead, sustainability is left up to the individual (or company) interpretation, resulting in differing opinions about the objectives, priorities, and solutions. Without guidelines, brands can call just about anything “sustainable.” It is entirely up to the company to set its own objectives (creating an incentive for them to make them easy to meet.) And, if/when they don't meet their voluntary goals, there are little to no repercussions. Likewise, without concrete definitions or guidelines for buzzwords like “circular,” eco-friendly,” “ethical,” and “responsible,” the interpretation is left to the brand or consumer’s discretion, allowing companies to bolster their green reputation without any real effort to deliver on climate goals. Aka greenwash. If we know having such loosely defined concepts is problematic, why hasn't the industry aligned on quantifiable terms for fashion's buzziest buzzwords to help alleviate greenwashing, eliminate consumer confusion, and align the industry on common ground? 🤔 In an effort to hold the notoriously unregulated industry accountable, new regulatory proposals have emerged in the EU and US to create the guardrails. But how do we create cohesive regulation across different countries and regulatory system, without a shared understanding of what needs to be done or, at the very least, what we're even talking about? 🤔 Link in bio to read more (we ran out of space), and let’s discuss! 🤓🤔💬👇🏾