Fashion Industry Glossary
Key terms and definitions in sustainable and ethical fashion.
Circular Economy
An economic model that eliminates waste by keeping materials in use for as long as possible through reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling.
Greenwashing
The practice of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about the environmental benefits of a product, service, or company's practices.
Slow Fashion
A movement and design philosophy that prioritises quality, longevity, ethical production, and considered consumption over the high-volume, rapid turnover of fast fashion.
Upcycling
The creative process of transforming discarded or unwanted materials and products into new items of higher quality or value.
Deadstock
Surplus fabric, materials, or finished garments that were never sold or used, repurposed by sustainable brands to reduce waste.
B Corp Certification
A certification awarded by B Lab to companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
The world's leading standard for organic fibres, ensuring environmental and social criteria are met throughout the entire textile supply chain.
Fair Trade Certification
A certification ensuring producers in developing countries receive fair prices, safe working conditions, and community development premiums for their goods.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
A methodology for evaluating the total environmental impact of a product across its entire life, from raw material extraction through production, use, and end of life.
Supply Chain Transparency
The practice of openly disclosing information about a brand's suppliers, production facilities, and sourcing practices to enable scrutiny and accountability.
Deadstock Fabric
Surplus fabric that was produced but never used in original production runs, purchased by brands and designers to create new collections and divert waste from landfill.
Scope 3 Emissions
Indirect greenhouse gas emissions occurring across a company's value chain, including raw material production, manufacturing, product use, and end-of-life, which typically account for the vast majority of fashion's carbon footprint.
Regenerative Fashion
An approach to fashion production that goes beyond sustainability to actively restore ecosystems, improve soil health, and enhance biodiversity throughout the supply chain.
OEKO-TEX Standard
A family of independent testing and certification standards for textiles and leather, verifying that products are free from harmful substances.
Supply Chain Traceability
The ability to track and verify the journey of a garment and its materials through every stage of the supply chain, from raw material to finished product.
Ethical Sourcing
The process of ensuring that the materials and products a fashion brand purchases are produced under fair labour conditions and with respect for environmental standards.
Fashion Footprint
The total environmental impact of fashion consumption, including carbon emissions, water use, chemical pollution, and textile waste, attributable to an individual, brand, or the industry as a whole.