Key takeaways

1. Innovation over optics: Despite sustainability slipping down the priority list for some executives, it’s clear that innovation – often driven by sustainable advancements – remains at the heart of the textile industry’s future.
2. From novelty to necessity: Game-changing solutions like circular polyester and low-waste garment production are no longer optional – they’re essential for brands racing against legislative and self-imposed 2025, 2030 and 2050 sustainability targets.
3. Scaling smarter, sooner: Collaborative partnerships, corporate investments and early-stage scouting are critical for brands to bridge today’s gaps in innovation, ensuring they stay ahead in a challenging market landscape.
4. Futureproofing supply chains: Names such as Arc’teryx, Decathlon and Puma have all recently documented progression with key innovation partners, tackling issues such as recyclability, low-impact production and recycled synthetics.

Early November saw the release of the annual State of Fashion report, co-authored by the Business of Fashion and McKinsey & Company. As always, it gathered the views of industry professionals and market data to predict key focus areas for the year ahead.

In general, the outlook is bleak, with few quizzed executives expecting fiscal improvements in the global fashion industry in 2025 [1]. A lack of consumer confidence and a poor spending appetite are