Fashion News: Q4 2025
Published on 6 January 2026
October
1. Venice Sustainable Fashion Forum Advances Supply Chain Action 🇮🇹
The 4th Venice Sustainable Fashion Forum brought together industry leaders, brands, and policymakers in Venice to explore collaboration, transparency, and innovation in fashion supply chains. The summit focused on harmonizing sustainability standards and aligning business competitiveness with environmental and social responsibility. Experts highlighted the importance of clear indicators and collaborative strategies to advance ethical production and circularity as Italy continues to position itself as a European leader in sustainable fashion.
Source: Venice Sustainable Fashion Forum 2025 press release
2. Beyond the Claim Showcases Sustainable Designers at Milan Fashion Week 🇮🇹
At Milan Fashion Week, Beyond the Claim 2025 spotlighted 13 certified sustainability-focused brands selected by Friend of the Earth. Held in late September/October, the event highlighted innovative environmental and ethical approaches in design, emphasizing upcycling, responsible sourcing, and endangered species protection. It demonstrated how sustainable fashion is increasingly integrated into mainstream fashion calendars.
Source: Friend of the Earth – Beyond the Claim 2025
3. Climate Week NYC Highlights Fashion’s Climate Dialogue 🇺🇸
During Climate Week NYC 2025, fashion sustainability groups — including Global Fashion Agenda, Apparel Impact Institute, Fashion for Good, and ZDHC — convened under the Climate and Nature Studio to foster collaboration on decarbonization, supply-chain data transparency, and circular solutions. The two-day programme brought together brands, innovators, and environmental organisations to explore practical pathways for the industry to meet its climate goals through shared action and strategic partnerships.
Source: Cascale / Climate and Nature Studio report
4. Italy Commits to Textile EPR by 2026 🇮🇹
Italy’s Ministry of the Environment announced plans to implement a national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system for textiles by early 2026, following discussions at the Venice Sustainable Fashion Forum. The initiative will require producers to fund the collection, reuse, and recycling of textiles, aligning with EU circular economy goals and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable, closed-loop fashion ecosystem.
Source: Rev-Log reporting on Italy’s Textile EPR commitment
5. Shein Paris Store Sparks Public Backlash Over Ultra-Fast Fashion 🇫🇷
Online giant Shein’s first permanent store in Paris triggered widespread criticism from designers, sustainability advocates, and the public, with a petition against ultra-fast fashion garnering tens of thousands of signatures. Critics argue the store contradicts France’s cultural emphasis on craftsmanship, ethical production, and sustainable design — fuelling debate about the place of low-impact fashion practices in major fashion capitals.
Source: Sortiraparis report on Shein Paris backlash
6. Bangladesh Drops Criminal Charges Against Garment Workers 🇧🇩
The Bangladesh government dropped criminal charges against 48,000 garment workers who had protested for higher wages, following pressure from international labour groups like the Clean Clothes Campaign. The move frees workers previously accused of serious crimes and marks a significant win for labour rights and worker protections in the global fashion supply chain.
Source: Business of Fashion
November
7. Fashion CEOs Launch Decarbonisation Initiative 🇪🇺
A coalition of more than 55 fashion CEOs, including leaders from CHANEL, Kering, Moncler, and Prada, launched a European Accelerator programme under The Fashion Pact. This initiative aims to harmonize supplier sustainability data, build capacity, and unlock finance to help brands meet decarbonisation targets by 2030 — a crucial component of industry-wide climate action strategies.
Source: Procurement Magazine / The Fashion Pact
8. Fashion Summit Hong Kong Spotlights Sustainable Design 🇭🇰
From 12 November to 2 December, the Fashion Summit Hong Kong brought together designers from around the world to showcase fashion that blends creativity with sustainability. Held at The Rotunda in Exchange Square, the event featured eco-conscious pieces crafted by 11 international and local designers, highlighting how cultural perspectives can drive responsible innovation in fashion. With exhibitions and dialogues running throughout the month, the summit emphasised the importance of design thinking that respects both people and planet.
Source: Fashion Summit Hong Kong Spotlight
December
9. EU Green Claims Regulation Progress 🇪🇺
The European Commission’s new “Green Claims” criteria moved forward this quarter, aiming to curb misleading environmental claims and boost consumer trust in sustainability labels. By requiring clearer, substantiated messaging on environmental performance, the rules support informed purchasing decisions and hold fashion brands accountable for the accuracy of their eco-related marketing — an important step in combating greenwashing.
Source: European Commission Green Claims overview
10. UK ASA Cracks Down on Misleading Sustainability Ads 🇬🇧
In a move to strengthen consumer trust, the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled against unqualified “sustainable” fashion claims made by several major brands in digital advertising. The ASA found that ads from companies like Nike, Superdry, and Lacoste were misleading when they used broad sustainability language without clear evidence. With AI-driven monitoring tools scanning millions of ads for compliance, the crackdown signals rising regulatory expectations that fashion brands must substantiate environmental claims with transparent proof.
Source: The Fashion Law briefing