CHARMING INSIGHTS

In recent years, campaigns and pledges to save the planet have been popping up everywhere. But, like any new initiative — they have their flaws. While many of these rules and regulations have good intentions, they often end up as surface-level marketing gestures, organic-looking packaging, and labels that boast sustainability but have no real meaning.

It’s no secret that the fashion industry continues to find itself at a crossroads, grappling with ever changing sustainability and circularity requirements. Let’s dive into the key problems brands face as policies change and explore why a digital product passport solution emerges as a critical tool—both from an environmental compliance standpoint and to help the industry achieve a more sustainable future.

Charming Trim, a leading provider of ecologically conscious apparel trim and packaging, is proud to be a sponsor of the American Apparel & Footwear Association's (AAFA) 2024 Products and Compliance Seminar on February 14 and 15 in Long Beach, CA.

Looking back at 2023, we saw a mix of exciting wins and unique challenges for apparel brands worldwide. Black Friday brought a nearly historical peak, with supply chain executives, “100% ecstatic with the results.” But beneath the surface of the retail rejoice, we saw a string of difficulties facing the global shipping industry — particularly concerning the Panama Canal. 

As a voting member of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), Charming Trim stands in full support of the Association adding per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) to the most recent edition of the Restricted Substance List (RSL). 

With an increasing number of consumers willing to spend more for products they believe to be more sustainable, it can be tempting to focus your marketing and messaging efforts on the most eco-friendly aspects of your products. 

Unfortunately, that is often the first step onto the slippery slope of greenwashing: making unsubstantiated claims that can mislead consumers into believing that a company’s products are more environmentally friendly than they really are. 

We had the distinct pleasure of hosting a Q&A with Kathleen Talbot, Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of Operations at Reformation to pick her brain about one of our favorite topics: sustainability in the apparel industry.

It’s no surprise the fashion industry is responsible for a significant portion of annual greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, it’s overwhelming when you consider that retail accounts for nearly 25% of the global GHG emissions. And to be clear: when the Charming team first published this article in 2022, that number was 8%.

CHARMING is very pleased to announce that we are further expanding our manufacturing presence in Mexico and Central America. Our customers have told us that they need to be closer to the needle to help them with response time, and freight, and we have listened.  Last year we established Charming Guatemala in Guatemala City, and this past month we took possession of our brand new factory building on July 15, 2022.

While 2020 and 2021 were certainly years of unknowns, one thing is certain: online shopping is here to stay. In 2021, over 46% of consumers reported feeling uncomfortable shopping in-person — and the share of online shoppers has only increased since then. As of this year, 41% of Americans shop online each week.