Lâle Kesebi

👗Resale on the Rise 👔 “While thrift stores have always been around, the vintage and resale business has boomed — and shifted — in recent years for independent sellers,, who use creative sharing models. And retail giants like Banana Republic , Madewell and H&M, veteran resellers like REI and Goodwill Industries International and property developers are getting into the resale game. Today, there are over 25,000 resale stores in the United States, and secondhand apparel sales increased about 11 percent in 2023 from the year before, according to statistics compiled by Capital One. In 2023, apparel resale in the United States grew seven times the rate of the broader retail industry, and the used clothing market reached $43 billion, up from about $23 billion in 2018, according to a recent report from ThredUp an online consignment platform that has worked with big retailers like lululemon, J.Crew and Abercrombie & Fitch Co. to resell their used clothing. The initiative appears to be paying off. The used clothing section in H&M’s new SoHo shop is “more productive” than the average space dedicated to new items!” This shift towards resale is real - the future of fashion! ♻️ As seen in The New York Times #Sustainability #ResaleMarket #CircularFashion #VintageVibes

66

5 Comments

🌎 Living in a Next-Gen Material World is about envisioning radical futures and solving systemic issues in the Fashion Industry. 🔬 In my latest TOMORROW column (issue #28) for Spur magazine, we focused on the Bio-Industrial Revolution and how forward-thinking leaders are reshaping industries with groundbreaking solutions. ⏩ There's a momentum I’ve witnessed grow in over a decade of covering fashion futures and bio-materials. 💚 A moral imperative drives this bio-industrial revolution, transforming how we produce fashion goods to create a new normal. 🛰️ The future is about reimagining what's possible. 📰 Read the insights here (in English) https://lnkd.in/gf9e_f7W Featuring: Sway GANNI BioFluff Kuori Natural Fiber Weldings Living Ink Modern Synthesis Rubi Laboratories Qorium & More!

20

This paradigm must be refashioned.

2

Has your sourcing team been overseas recently to visit factory partners and review your production? If not, you face several risks, among them could land you on the front page of the news (for all the wrong reasons). The latest episode of Clothing Coulture provides insight on identifying and preventing forced labor in your production. Due diligence is key in ethical manufacturing. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions on how to protect your brand and your production. #ethicalmanufacturing #forcedlabor #apparelindustry

7

Early stage investors often weight investment criteria heavily on technological innovation, market size, and management teams. Great tech requires a solid management team to thrive. In my opinion, the best management teams hustle and work hard; learn, evolve, and survive; and are honest, upfront, and transparent with their stakeholders. The foregoing describes Cayley Pater and 🌱 Andy Ives at Made Trade. Made Trade is an impact venture that continues to grow and succeed in an unpredictable funding market. If you bet heavily on management teams, Cayley Pater and 🌱 Andy Ives are a bet worth considering. They are also good for a laugh, which, while not an investable quality, makes business interactions fun!

27

1 Comment

A very positive news for Japanese stocks and also Asia stocks. 1) Seven & I holdings (3382 JP) the operator of 85,000 711 stores worldwide has received a buyout proposal from Canadian rival Alimentation Couche-Tard (market cap $59 billion USD) in what would the largest ever foreign takeover of a Japanese company if realised. 2) The amount isn't known but Seven & I's stock is up over 20% today an values the company at 5.6 trillion yen or $38 billion USD. 3) It's interesting to me that this is the 2nd company in Asia of size "in play" since last Friday's Propguru privatisation offer. More to come? 4) Also, Japan continues to be the place in Asia for big deals, as we've always believed Japan has the most investable equity markets in Asia both in breadth and depth as well as most importantly liquidity. The only thing is the volatility of the Yen, this deal will be hard to hedge for the buyer! #Japan #equity #m&a #buyouts #japanequity #privateequity #PE

10

The California Senate has passed the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (Senate Bill 707), moving the bill forward to the California Assembly for consideration. If signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, this legislation will establish an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for clothing and textiles. The Responsible Textile Recovery Act aims to implement a producer responsibility organization (PRO) with the support of California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). This initiative sets a deadline for program implementation by no earlier than July 1, 2028. #textilerecovery #sustainability #circularfashion #CaliforniaLegislation Article: https://lnkd.in/ge6fRhiy

10

Hoop hurray! Shall we thank them now, or if this ever gets passed and wriitten rightly into law? Enviornmentally speaking, time is ticking. Urgently, and with every passing hour, more obscenely. It is unbelievable to me that we are knocking the 1.5 degree, and STILL have fashion operating freely? Serious obsenity. Legislation is obscenely negligent in protecting as this entitlement of system is not very speedy. In exception of course to the recent EU passing against greenwashing. This law managed to crawl up the mighty hill of unliklliness and passed unusually quickly. Not so for the whole of the fashion industry, All are accountable today for sustainable shifting. With the scientific news of Earths tipping points tipping… every choice after matters intentiy. We know who, and what is accountably harming. We know. Globally we see. Legislation is past due on acting and protecting. Decades have been lost to government foot dragging. To “the business” of running the industry of economy by “collectively” ignoring the science to keep this “growth” business model flowing. Regardless of the harm we are causing. Now the corals are bleaching. The world is watching. Act urgently and accountably. #Planetfirst is everything. 🌍👁

2

1 Comment

With far more demand than supply, Hermès #Birkin bags flip economics on its head by having a resale value of ~2x the original sales price. Of course, that’s only if you can get one. Demand is so high that when a shipment of Birkins arrive to a store, they are “assigned to individual sales associates,” who must make a case for why their client “deserves a Birkin and get the store manager’s approval.” Yet another reason why I love the #fashion industry. https://lnkd.in/emtwPUnt

5

2 Comments

Thoughts on this block: It's unfortunate but expected. Clearly, someone wants to prove a point, but the reality is that anyone in handbags knows this: - A customer doesn't care about who owns which brands - An acquisition like this won't impact nor influence the customers' purchasing behavior - The customers who shop Coach (at any level) are not the same customers who shop Michael Kors. - Spend time in any free-standing store, which they market and promote, or those who shop their outlets can see this. - The regulators were concerned that the merger would harm consumers by limiting competition. Check out IG, e-commerce, and all levels of retail from Bergdorfs to TJ Max - tell me how this is true. I ran an awards show for handbags, I just don't agree. What can I say - this is just my opinion. https://lnkd.in/ekQN2arG https://lnkd.in/ekQN2arG

1

Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Saturday, October 5: 🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 SHEIN’s senior executives, including founder Sky Xu, are expected to meet potential US investors over the coming week as the fashion giant moves closer to a potential listing in London. 👚 The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has recommended all of Meta’s social media platforms for inclusion on the upcoming “notorious markets” counterfeiting list. ⛳️ A logo dispute between Tiger Woods’ apparel company Sun Day Red and Tigeraire, a company that makes cooling products for athletes, is now in the hands of the federal court system. 🚢 The port strike has ended. But it will still take a while for the flow of goods to return to normal. Ahead of the strike various logistics experts had said it would take three to five days to recover from any one day the ports were shut. 🚚 After delivering frozen foods to doorsteps from iconic yellow trucks for more than 70 years, Yelloh — previously known as Schwan’s Home Delivery — plans to shut down in November. ✂️ Poshmark this week lowered seller fees, replacing its 20% take in the US with a new structure. Sellers will now be charged 5.99% of the order total plus a fixed fee depending on the price of the product sold. 🏬 Hamilton Marketplace, a prominent shopping centre in New Jersey that boasts a 99% occupancy rate and over 1m sq ft of retail space, has been acquired by Paramount Realty for over $100m. 👜 Frasers Group has acquired £4m worth of shares in Mulberry, increasing owner Mike Ashley's stake to approximately 37%. The move comes shortly after Frasers' £83m takeover bid was rejected by Mulberry's board. 💵 Despite high prices and rising home costs, American spending on burgers, drinks and travel powered much of last month’s strong hiring even as other economic engines like manufacturing, tech and finance have idled. 🦆 Swedish clothing retailer H&M plans to phase out its use of virgin down and feathers, materials harvested from ducks and geese, by the end of 2025. The company aims to use only post-consumer recycled down and feathers. 🍺 Constellation Brands has exceeded Wall Street estimates with its second-quarter results, driven by strong demand for its beer brands, particularly Modelo Especial and Pacifico. ⌚️ UK-based Watches of Switzerland has acquired watch enthusiast platform Hodinkee, which operates a website, magazine, brand partnerships division and insurance business, for an undisclosed sum. 📈 America's job market roared back in September as US employers adding 254,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 🇭🇰 Hong Kong's struggling retail market is prompting landlords to offer significant discounts, creating opportunities for brands to expand. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

50

What is game changing about Twig Ventures model? Levi Reed and their team gives *hands on* fractional support for a few months before helping you bring your baby to investors. As a first generation college student, WOC founder, that generous act of service speaks volumes as I've really had to build my network from the ground up and that access to top quality support is PRICELESS! 👉🏽 Investors - fill out their typeform to learn more 👉🏽 Founders - DM their Twig Ventures page on LI directly You rock Levi!

11

2 Comments

📰 Welcome to Week/End, your quick-hit guide to this week’s sustainability news at the intersection of fashion, sustainability, and business. Here’s what happened this week: Matter. and Paradise Textiles announced during Climate Week that they're partnering to install Matter's Regen™ for Textile Production—a new microfiber filtration technology designed to prevent microfibers from entering waterways—at Paradise Textiles' low-impact mill in Egypt by late 2025. This initiative aims to demonstrate scalable solutions to reduce microfiber shedding, energy consumption, and carbon impact, addressing the 120,000 tons of microfiber pollution generated annually by the global textile industry. 🌾🌍 Meanwhile, The Fashion Pact announced that it is expanding its Unlock program—developed with sustainability consultancy 2050.cloud and climate innovation NGO Future Earth Lab.org—to financially incentivize farmers to adopt regenerative farming practices. After successful pilots reducing significant carbon per hectare, the program will scale up in 2024 to include over 10,000 farmers. Brands can support their climate goals by purchasing 'Unlock Units' representing GHG reductions. 🇮🇹🔍 On the regulatory front, Italy’s Antitrust Agency is investigating Shein for greenwashing and potentially misleading environmental claims on its website. Additionally, six EU countries are urging stricter regulations on Shein and Temu over concerns about product safety and compliance with consumer protection laws. 🧶📈 In other news, according to Textile Exchange's 2023 Materials Market Report, global fiber production hit a record 124 million tons, with virgin fossil-based synthetics increasing to dominate 57% of total fiber production—a trend that threatens industry climate commitments due to reliance on new virgin materials. Despite declines in cotton and recycled fibers, the report highlights positive growth in certified animal fibers like mohair and cashmere, which now account for 47% of their markets. 🇬🇧♻️ A new white paper from QSA Partners LLP, backed by the UK Fashion and Textile Association and the British Fashion Council, urges the UK government to immediately implement variable Extended Producer Responsibility fees—a move they call a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" due to the convergence of urgent environmental needs, technological advancements enabling intelligent, data-driven fee systems, and unprecedented industry alignment, all of which they say can collectively drive sustainability and establish a circular economy in fashion. 💍🌱 Lastly, Pandora announced that all new jewelry will be made from 100% recycled silver and gold, aiming to cut 58,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually, with the first fully recycled pieces available in early 2025. Want more? Sign up for the Sustainable Fashion Forum's newsletter to get updates, insights, and more sent directly to your inbox—because there’s only so much room in the caption! 😏 📧: https://lnkd.in/eMJTJyTQ

258

16 Comments

The secondhand clothing market is booming, but profitability remains out of reach for many resale platforms. The challenge? Balancing costs with the realities of inventory management and quality control. I spoke with @Bloomberg Businessweek’s @Amanda Mull on the hidden costs of holding unsellable items, the fast fashion dilemma, and why scaling resale is more about brand reputation than revenue. Check out the full article here:

19

🌟 From Supermodel to Pet Industry Entrepreneur: The Pivot of Taylor Hill 🌟 From the world's most iconic fashion runways and magazine covers, Taylor Hill has made a remarkable pivot from supermodel to pet industry innovator. After a personal loss and profound insights gained from her late beloved labradoodle, Tate, Hill ventured into entrepreneurship with a purpose-driven mission. With the launch of Tate & Taylor, Hill aims to tackle the complex $143 billion pet market by creating a community-centric platform that simplifies pet ownership. Her venture focuses on curated experiences, promoting ethical brands like FLOOF and Springer Pets, and providing credible information, making the pet care industry more accessible and less daunting for pet owners. Key to Hill's venture is promoting brands that align with her values of quality and transparency. Hill is also driven by a deep commitment to animal welfare, evidenced by her support for initiatives like The Buddy Fund, which helps manage cancer treatment costs for pets, and her role as an ambassador for Animal Aid USA. Taylor Hill's transition into the pet industry is not just a business move; it's a heartfelt endeavor to honor Tate and improve the lives of pet owners and their furry companions. Her story tells a personal experience and passion that can inspire success in business ventures with purpose. For the latest article on my Forbes page: https://lnkd.in/eDZHw57t #CareerPivot #Entrepreneurship #PetIndustry #Innovation

22

3 Comments

At Ethik Brands, we embrace the risk of being a lone leader in the denim industry and the discomfort that comes with it. I’ve been in this for more than 30 years. The fashion industry is not doing enough, and we are committed to creating more sustainable practices and making a positive social impact. By developing and shifting more brands into our factory and process, we aim to drive down carbon emissions and save water. We need to reach more people who care and deliver them better products. “The Global Fashion Summit, launched back in 2009 to put sustainability on the map, celebrated its 15th anniversary this week. But what has actually changed in the fashion industry since it first began? “Honestly, I am disappointed that we’re not further [along],” Eva Kruse, founder of the summit, told Vogue. “When we first started, we didn’t think it would go on for so long, I thought we would solve the problem and get on with another topic.” Why aren’t more factories, brands, retailers, and consumers making more progress? “…a stark report by the Apparel Impact Institute found that greenhouse gas emissions are set to rise by 40 per cent by 2030, despite the fact that the industry needs to slash emissions by half in order to be in line with the Paris Agreement’s ambition to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.” Legislation is crucial to initiating this change, as well as six other points made by Emily Chen. One stands out to me in particular: #1 Bold leadership is lacking. The need for “bold and brave leadership” was emphasized multiple times during the summit, given the amount of work that still needs to be done. “Do you care?” Paul Polman, author of *Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take*, questioned the audience, adding that if people weren’t “uncomfortable” then they weren’t doing enough. I invite you to learn more about us. Contact me directly here or reach out to our leadership team. Together, we can create positive change. Ninfa Fergadiotti Carter Case Caroline Rothwell Gerstein Leeann Rahman

6

2 Comments

In today's fast-paced fashion landscape, the recent fundraising crunch isn’t just a challenge; it’s a wake-up call. With a staggering 254 startups shutting down this year alone, we’re witnessing a seismic shift in priorities—profitability is now king. For those of us in the trenches, it's a reminder: adapt or risk becoming yesterday’s trend. This is a moment to rethink our strategies, hone in on what truly matters, and maybe even embrace the chaos. Good read today:

1

An interesting podcast discussing the current challenges and struggles of textile innovation. DM Textile Machinery have been in the textile industry for over 40 years. During that time we've seen many changes. We know that for any business to survive, the ability to adapt is the key to success. It's worth a listen! Thanks Colorifix 🙂

1

Transformers Foundation white paper A CALL FOR FAIR PROCESS Is launching Nov 11th ☑️Register for the webinar below ⏬ #supplychain #denim #apparel

22