Sustainable fashion trends drive industry shift toward circular design

The fashion industry is undergoing a mainstream transformation toward sustainability, driven by consumer demand for transparency, ethical labor practices, and eco-friendly materials. Shoppers, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are increasingly seeking verifiable information regarding supply chains, leading brands to adopt technologies like blockchain and digital product passports.

To address the need for circular design, Manchester-based company CircKit has launched an academic licensing program. In a first for the United Kingdom, De Montfort University will integrate CircKit’s AI-powered circular design and compliance toolkit into its fashion and textiles curricula. This partnership allows students to utilize industry-level lifecycle assessment tools to understand the environmental impact of design-stage decisions and navigate sustainability compliance.