Fashion sustainability innovations: June 2024 roundup

In June 2024, the fashion industry saw several initiatives addressing sustainability. At Rome's Museo Macro, the 'Critical Fashion' conference curated by Dobrila Denegri gathered international curators, designers, artists, researchers, and academics to debate fashion's future. The podcast 'What The Fashion' by Abiti Puliti, now in its sixth episode, features activist Bego Demir, a former Turkish textile worker who contracted silicosis from sand used in denim processing. Material innovation includes Thermo Seta T.Silk by Cosetex, a sustainable silk from waste, combined with g_upgraded graphite by Alisea to create g_silk, enhancing UV protection and thermoregulation. Menstrual swimwear brands like Sisters Republic, Lelambu, Oduho, and The Eco Women address Italy's increased tampon tax. The State of Fashion Biennale 2024, titled 'Ties that Bind,' ran May 17–30 in Arnhem, Nairobi, Bangalore, and São Paulo, curated by Louise Bennetts, Rachel Dedman, Sunny Dolat, Kallol Datta, and Hanayrà Negreiros. Viscose Journal issue 6, 'TEXT,' edited by Jeppe Ugelvig and Laura Gardner, focuses on fashion through language and writing, available at Reading Room Milan, Spazio Punch Venice, and Frab's Magazine. Yuima Nakazato's retrospective 'Beyond Couture' opened June 15 at the Museum of Lace and Fashion in Calais, France, running until January 5, 2025, featuring over 50 looks from his Haute Couture week collections since 2016, with organic cotton from Uzbekistan.