Sustainable v Fast Fashion
What leads to unsustainable product and business models?
We at BDALondon believe we are part of the solution, understanding the real root cause rather than scratching the surface through a lack of experience in how our industry really works.
Here is the paradox:
There is an industry out there of trend forecasts. This industry is about driving change in new products with little accountability for the consequences.
They then support a trend of sustainability on how to better wash denim or make T-shirts from organic cotton and advocate for better wages for exploited factory workers.
It is self-serving.
Can we keep up with the ever-changing trends of fast fashion while embracing practices that are kind to the Earth and its people?
Inventory management becomes a game of guessing:
On one side, the pressure to satisfy the insatiable demand for fresh styles, and on the other, the environmental and ethical consequences of overproduction and waste.
Fashion Forecasting vs. Inventory Planning:
Predicting what will sell and for how long becomes less science and more guessing.
By the time production ramps up, the trend might have fizzled, leaving warehouses full of obsolete styles.
Underestimating demand can lead to stockouts, frustrating customers who can’t find the latest styles in their size.
This can damage brand reputation and loyalty.
Social media compounds the problem, with trend forecasters scouring to find the next hot item.
Viral trends and influencer endorsements are often short-lived but drive demand overnight. These short-lived trends leave brands with unpredictable sales patterns.
We now see micro-seasons emerging, which again demand constant new collections.
This rapid churn makes planning even more challenging.
The paradox is this:
On one hand, textile waste leads to resource depletion and pollution.
The environmental impact of fast fashion’s inventory challenges is significant.
However, overproduction or stockouts, can lead to significant financial losses for brands, either through markdowns to clear redundant stock or lost sales.
BDALondon will always strive to build sustainable product ranges driven by clear sales data, accommodating fresh new trends in style, fabric, and color.
It’s imperative we work towards fewer markdowns, fewer stockouts, and a more profitable and sustainable business that is better for the planet and our industry.
On one hand we need to reconnect to nature but we also need to think on how better we can reconnect to a more sustainable capitalist system.
#sustainabilty
#innovation
#trendforecasting
#fastfashion
#viraltrends
#inventoryplanning
#bdalondon
Student at University of Venda
1yHi i am makhuvha murendeni from limpopo thohoyandou i would to know how to apply so i can work on promoting the TFG card in stores