Victoria Beckham takes a stand against animal cruelty, and clothes can now be digitally “fitted”? Check out the coolest sustainability news of the week.
1. Victoria Beckham bans exotic skins!
Fashion icon Victoria Beckham and her brand have been saying no to fur for a while now, but just extended this ban to exotic skins. The brand spokesperson said, “this decision reflects the wishes of not only the brand but also that of our customers.” With this move, Victoria Beckham joins Diane Von Furstenberg and longtime environmentalist Vivienne Westwood, towards more ethical luxury, two words that don’t always go together.
The tide is finally turning against unethical fashion.
2. Great Barrier Reef authority gives the green light to dump dredging sludge.
On Monday, we got news that coral bleaching could happen again this year (after the 2016/2017 mass bleaching) due to Queensland flood waters. On Wednesday, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority approved the dumping of over 1 million tonnes of dredge spoil near the reef. How? A loophole in federal laws that were supposed to protect the marine park. Treating the Great Barrier Reef like a rubbish bin is not only disrespectful to world heritage waters but could also cause contamination of ecosystems.
The authority claims the risks to be “predominantly low”.
3. Hershey announces an animal testing ban.
This ban follows conversations with PETA, who raised concerns after they co-authored a 2014 study on mice to “establish health claims for marketing chocolate products”. Despite the ban, however, the company still only has one vegan option – its dairy-free chocolate syrup. But at least this is a step in the right direction.
We’re expecting candy-making companies all over the world to follow suit.
4. Singapore’s business school launches Southeast Asia’s first ever sustainability major!
Environmental studies majors are not new to Singapore, but sustainability majors are. The new course at Singapore Management University (SMU) is backed by Southeast Asia’s largest bank, DBS. DBS plans to commit more than $1 million in funding to sustainability research, scholarships, and fellowships. Modules include sustainable finance, social entrepreneurship and underdevelopment, and poverty, among others. Additionally, compulsory modules include sustainability management and governance.
5. Are virtual clothes the sustainable future we need?
Instagram models are style icons but not exactly environmental advocates. But there’s a special group of Instagrammers who are embracing cutting-edge technology that offers them the chance to keep wearing new clothes without the hefty environmental cost. Pioneering Scandinavian fashion firm, Carlings, is convincing customers to pay real cash for virtual clothes being digitally “fitted” onto users’ photographs.
Could this be the future fashion needs?
Image credit: W Magazine
