The Latest Sustainable Fashion News - August 2025
- arthursbeth
- Aug 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 4
Building blocks, transparency (and lack of) are characterising the past month, August 2025 was anything but quiet in sustainable fashion news. From Pinterest’s thrifty power-move into resale, to the EU inviting public input on a landmark Circular Economy Act, to the messy unraveling of Copenhagen Fashion Week’s green halo, the month has been a masterclass in both progress and pitfalls.
Fair Labor Association Drops Grievance-Mechanism Toolkit
On August 21, the Fair Labor Association launched a Grievance Mechanism Toolkit for Companies. Essentially, it's a no-bull guide to setting up grievance systems in global supply chains, complete with practical how-tos, field case studies, best practices, and metrics to measure impact.
It's accessible to brands across all levels - addresses the diverse needs of companies at different stages of developing and implementing their grievance mechanisms. In can be used by factories to help identify, prevent, and remedy worker issues.
If you'd like to know more - the FLA are hosting a pubic webinar 4th September to demonstrate key areas and hold a Q&A.
This toolkit has al the potential to become a badge of credibility. Templates and tools aren't a magic solution to end exploitation, but structure like this makes integrity harder to avoid. For smaller brands, this is a learning curve worth investing in.
Thrift Just Happened at Pinterest
Pinterest has launched Thrift Shop, a digital pop-up thrift marketplace made up of curated selections of user boards. Very here for it to be honest.
Running from August 20 to September 26, Thrift Shop offers shoppable vintage and second-hand treasures through weekly curated 'closet drops' by thrift pros and vintage retailers. Gen Z searches for 'Dream Thrift Finds' have spiked by 550%. Pinterest's whole business model has become the marriage of inspiration and commerce, and with Gen Z driving the platform's inspiration algorithm, digital thift has seen a potentially pivotal elevation.
This is likely to gain a lot of attention and traffic from industry, and lots of lessons learned opportunities for resellers. We can expect brands to pivot in response to this - vintage collabs, re-sell programs and second-life campaigns are likely to see another jump. Another guess is is that influencer 'shop my closet' endorsements have a (at least mini) comeback too.
will you be trying out Thrift Shop on Pinterest?
obviously
not usually a thrifter but will check it out
no I prefer to thrift irl
thrifting's not for me
Copenhagen Fashion Week Lands Mixed Reception
When it became the world’s first fashion week to impose binding environmental guidelines five years ago, Copenhagen Fashion Week built a reputation for sustainability. But this year's event fell flat, with greenwashing accusations leaving it's 2025 image a little tainted.
Talent exits, like Ganni skipping the official program dampen its draw for many spectators and critics. Design fatigue, with the signature oversized 'Copenhagen look' feeling 'tired', becoming a bit of a greenwash in itself.
A bigger problem is that in the digital era, the whole point of fashion weeks is wobbling. So much and constant access to outfit inspiration and unique trend-takes on social media has meant that the street style imagery that used to be like a fashion week spin off show doesn’t trend like it used to. Digital-community models are the real future.
CPHFW is going to have to reinvent to survive and rebuild authenticity.
Kmart Under Fire for Supply Chains
Kmart Australia is in hot water. The Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association has launched legal action, asking the Federal Court to force Kmart to reveal if its supply chain links to Xinjiang forced labour.
Kmart denies wrongdoing, but now must prove it in court. Australia’s modern slavery laws are being tested here, and the case could set precedent for how transparent brands must be about overseas suppliers.
For consumers, it’s another unfortunate reminder that cheap basics at household names can come at staggering ethical costs. It’s a warning for brands too, that supply chain paperwork had better be watertight. Activists and lawyers aren’t waiting around anymore. Looking forward, audits are bound get stricter, certifications increasingly necessary, and lawsuits more common.
Europe Wants Your Feedback, Not Just Your Fabrics
The European Union is drafting its Circular Economy Act and actually asking for public input. Basically, the EU wants to legislate how products are made, reused, and recycled, and they want businesses, NGOs, and citizens to weigh in.
This Act is part of the bigger “Clean Industrial Deal” and could lock in Extended Producer Responsibility for fashion. It means if your brand sells clothes, you’re also on the hook for what happens when they die.
The apparel industry should be paying attention because this is policy with teeth. If passed, it’ll turn 'circularity' from a word people still don't really know the meaning of, into a legal obligation.
Expect to see a rise in modular clothing, take-back programs, and maybe even leasing models. Smart brands will start piloting this now before it's mandatory.
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