Why the British Fashion Council has a ‘vision for circularity’

The BFC’s Institute of Positive Fashion [a body set up to power industry change, and that powers the BFC’s commitment to climate action] launched the Circular Fashion Ecosystem Report last September, focused on a vision for circularity for the UK – focusing on moving the industry towards this circular vision, embracing circular design, biodegradability, enhancing recycling systems and infrastructure, and reusing as much as possible.

To support this vision, BFC and Ebay launched the Circular Fashion Innovator’s Fund in October – it is unique and needed now more than ever. Each of the six winners will be granted £15,000 each with a final overall winner to receive an additional £10,000. Applicants will be informed if they have been shortlisted by 11 November. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by the Ebay team. The next process will be to pitch their proposals to a panel committee consisting of industry experts and Ebay leadership w/c 14 November. Winners will also participate in a six-week mentoring programme. There is an industry-wide consensus on the urgency of climate change and the necessity to change production and consumption processes.

Investing in small businesses specialising in such circular fashion solutions means giving a platform to those who understand the multifaceted nature of circularity, through the lens of customer experience, circular inventory and services, and social commerce.

The circular fashion solutions are centred around customer experience, circular inventory and services, and social commerce. Some examples of solutions would include developing:

• Advanced sorting facilities
• Warehouses and outlets for re-commerce and upcycling
• Plants for reprocessing
• Solutions for extending the life of clothing
• Helping consumers to pass on their clothes through reuse and recycling channels

The assessment criteria for the applications include:

• The ability to leverage emerging technologies to create products or services which advances fashion’s circular economy
• Have a unique value proposition that has game-changing advantages over other alternatives

With the current economic climate [energy prices are rising while inflation continues to creep up], small businesses are in need of investment and mentoring to really be able to scale their ideas and become impactful. The Circular Fashion Innovator’s Fund launch is therefore timely, and creates the conditions for successful circular innovations to be implemented in the fashion ecosystem.

Although the transition towards a circular economy is fraught with difficulties, the BFC is uniquely placed as convenors between industry and government to understand these challenges, and create opportunities. Phase 2 of the Circular Fashion Ecosystem Project echoes the fact that for most stakeholders, circular and sharing business models that enable the re-use of existing garments are currently preferred over recycling. Specialists from organisations including the Ellen McArthur Foundation [which develops and promotes the idea of a circular economy by working with businesses, policymakers, and institutions across the globe] will provide invaluable mentoring sessions with the winners, giving recipients practical business tips founded on concrete academia and research.

Partnering with Ebay [in October 2022] also makes sense as consumer mindsets continue to shift, with two pre-owned fashion items sold on the platform every second, according to Ebay. Ebay is the biggest online resale marketplace for second-hand fashion in the UK, legitimising its position in this incubation programme. This shift is being manifested in the luxury sector too, not least with Balenciaga partnering with tech platform Reflaunt to rollout a circularity programme in September 2022. From start-ups to luxury powerhouses, the time has truly come for us to reframe our expectations in order to meet the challenges of the future.