Remake

Conscious consumers are becoming aware of the reality that having a visible corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy does not automatically make an organisation purpose-driven. This is because CSR tends to be reactive, with its main aim being to enhance brand image and prioritise profits. Purpose, in contrast, is proactive, by maintaining a consistent brand image whilst primarily serving people and the planet. CSR and purpose should ideally go hand in hand.

Sustainability is a key global movement that has led to a significant shift in how businesses operate in the 21st century. At the time of writing, it is 2025, meaning we are exactly five years away from 2030. This is the anticipated year in which a large number of corporate sustainability net-zero initiatives are expected to come to fruition, as well as the deadline for the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Just the other week, I found myself wallowing in my math-induced misery, procrastination inevitably setting in. Then, like a beacon of hope, a friend walked into my room wearing a sweater that looked as though it had stepped straight out of a Vogue spread and whispered to me: “Elise, I was made for you!” So naturally, I asked her where it was from. “Reformation,” she said and went on to explain their motto: “Being naked is the #1 most sustainable option.

Before January 2025, my wardrobe was a painfully-curated exhibition dedicated to years of hard work on myself and my politics. Part of what made it so special was that I hadn’t ever intended to just get rid of it en masse–that was the point of all of my careful thinking, conscious consumerism, stylistic effort, and upcycling, after all. It was not meant to be simply replaceable. And then the California Fires happened. Caring about clothes didn’t come naturally to me.

Before factory whistles marked the rhythm of production, it was the quiet hum of spinning wheels and the steady hands of makers that shaped what people wore. Clothing and textiles were made in homes and villages using labor-intensive techniques like hand-weaving, spinning, natural dyeing and embroidery. Skilled makers often specialized in particular crafts, forming small workshops or working within informal trade networks. In many regions, artisans participated in the “putting-out” system.

Climate anxiety isn’t just a feeling—it’s a lived reality. In the midst of Earth Month, conversations about sustainability have flooded our feeds. But for garment workers in the Global South, climate change isn’t just a topic for discussion—it’s a daily struggle. Scorching heat waves turn factory floors into furnaces, floods wash away livelihoods, and supply chain disruptions leave workers without pay. When factories shut down due to climate disasters, it’s not a headline—it’s food off the table.

In the contemporary panorama of consumerism, fast fashion generates constant trend cycles while perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and environmental demolition.

The Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza was announced on January 15, 2025, after months of negotiations led by the US, Qatar and Egypt. The ceasefire is set to last 42 days, during which Hamas and Israel agreed to release 1,933 combined hostages, Palestinian civilians would be allowed to return to their neighborhoods, and aid would be allowed into Gaza daily.

The concept of “No New Clothes” is far from novel. Across various cultures, ages, and social demographics, the practice of resharing and re-wearing clothing has been a longstanding tradition. This practice, deeply rooted in sustainability, has manifested in unique ways worldwide, reflecting cultural values and resourcefulness.

The Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza was announced on January 15, 2025, after months of negotiations led by the US, Qatar and Egypt. The ceasefire is set to last 42 days, during which Hamas and Israel agreed to release 1,933 combined hostages, Palestinian civilians would be allowed to return to their neighborhoods, and aid would be allowed into Gaza daily.