Circular Solutions for Sustainability in Fashion and Textiles

Concerns at the ongoing growth in global clothing consumption and its negative environmental impacts, has necessitated a call to action by consumer and producer groups, and there is a growing discourse on sustainable and circular fashion in which governments, industry and academic researchers are increasingly engaged. Consequently, to align with agreed global carbon reduction goals, circular solutions to the design, supply, use and disposal of textiles and clothing have been identified by various think tanks and initiatives. For example, WRAP’s Textiles 2030 has identified that over 50% of carbon, water and waste footprint reductions are needed by 2030 to achieve intended UK government environmental targets.

This online panel discussion is presented by the NTU Clothing Sustainability Research Group (CSRG) and invites fashion industry experts to re-imagine fashion and textile production and consumption practices within a circularity paradigm in the search for viable sustainability solutions. Aimed at an audience that includes  university students and faculty, and invited guests from across the global fashion and textile industry supply and value chains, participants will gain unique insights and transferable skills/ideas from experienced industry practitioners into the current activities and transformative actions that the fashion and textile sectors are engaged in to locate and apply circular solutions for more sustainable practices and outcomes.

Dr. Anne Peirson-Smith, Senior Lecturer, and leader of the CSRG, will ask our expert panellists to discuss a series of themes relating to circularity in the fashion industry.

• What transformative operational action can we take in the textile and garment production process to reduce emissions to improve environmental performance significantly in alignment with global carbon-neutral targets by 2050 minimising impact on the planet?
• What are the most effective and viable circular business models for sustainable fashion across the textile and fashion supply and value chains to repurpose waste streams, minimise demand and maximise existing use of materials?
• How can we stimulate new thinking and accelerate multi-stakeholder action to locate and operationalise transformative production, design, and economic solutions to impact on public opinion, policymaking and legislation?
• How do we redefine and orchestrate a collective response from producers and consumers in taking responsibility to ensure a holistic sustainable fashion system in future?

The panellists:

• Tim Clark, Technical Director, John Smedley Ltd.

During my first seven years at John Smedley I studied textiles at Derby University, Nottingham Trent & Leicester De Montfort University covering all aspects of fibre and yarn manufacture, knitting, weaving, dyeing & finishing.

After qualifying, I specialised in the dyeing and finishing sections of the business as critical areas of concern in terms of their potential negative environmental impact. Subsequently, I applied my skills in liaison with M&S for colour and yarn development, alongside managing our spinning division. This propelled me into sustainable sourcing of all John Smedley raw materials, from farm to fabric.

As Technical Director of John Smedley I focus on implementing and maintaining a sustainable business and the procurement of all raw materials feeding into the Royal Warrant application and renewal processes & our company education program.

• Dr. Bernice Pan, author & CEO / founder of Deploy, a British sustainable clothing brand.

A creative entrepreneur combining vision, theory & practice, Bernice founded DEPLOY in 2006 as a strategic action plan to reform fashion. A B-Corp certified brand, DEPLOY’s innovative 360⁰ Sustainability business model increases human benefit whilst reducing environmental damage, fulfilling 12 UN SDGs. A published author, Bernice speaks & consults internationally.

• Gemma Metheringham, ex Creative Director at Karen Millen, Fashion Industry Expert and influencer ‘The Elephant in my Wardrobe’.

Gemma Metheringham's three-decade career in fashion, includes roles as Head of Design at Next and 17 years at Karen Millen as Creative Director. She returned to Next in 2016 to create, launch and run @labelmix to support emerging designers and brands producing exclusive collections. Championing design talent Gemma has developed mentoring and protégé programmes in collaboration with Graduate Fashion week and she also judges the BFC Vogue Fashion Fund award. Two years ago Gemma started Instagram feed @the_elephant_in_my_wardrobe challenging the concept of throwaway fashion and our relationship with clothes. Currently taking a positive pause in her career, Gemma researches and writes on sustainability and will study the Fashion Futures MA in September 2022.

• Dr. Lynn Oxborrow, Associate Professor and Head of the Sustainable Fashion Accelerator, Nottingham Business School, NTU.

Lynn Oxborrow is Associate Professor of SME Management at Nottingham Business School and has spent her career working in or with fashion and textiles businesses. Her research interests lie in sustainable supply chain management and innovative business models, explored through both research and practice, especially in her work with SMEs.

• Marie Måwe, Sustainability Stakeholder Engagement Director at W.L. Gore & Associates Fabrics Division.

Marie is Sustainability Stakeholder Engagement Director at W.L. Gore & Associates Fabrics Division, a global manufacturer mainly known for their GORE-TEX material. With an M.A. degree in international relations and a professional background working for NGOs and governmental organizations, she has been driving sustainability transformation within the functional textiles industry for over 10 years.

Further Information and Contact:

NTU’s Clothing Sustainability Research Group (CSRG) is a dedicated cross disciplinary group of fashion researchers with expertise in identifying and addressing core issues around sustainability in the fashion industry.

www.ntu.ac.uk/research/groups-and-centres/centres/clothing-sustainability-research-group

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