Any brand can claim sustainable materials, but words mean nothing without third-party testing and certifications. In fact, unverified sustainability claims—even if they are valid—can often lead to suspicions of greenwashing.

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When it comes to logistics and technology, machines and humans continue their symbiotic dance to get goods loaded, shipped, railed, trucked, stored, sorted, picked, packed and delivered with ever-greater efficiencies.

And what they’re achieving, is nothing short of amazing, although not without its challenges.

In this episode, Lauren Parker, director of SJ and Fairchild Studios,

Download the report at: www.sourcingjournal.com/report

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As the denim industry places greater emphasis on circularity and the full life cycle of a product, AGI Denim is emerging as a key player driving change through innovation and intentional growth.

To build a more sustainable supply chain and manufacturing model, the Pakistan-based vertical denim manufacturer is investing in advanced technologies that deliver more with less. This includes Smartec Dyeing Machine that reduces water usage simultaneously enhancing color vibrancy.

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Is there anything more quintessentially American than blue jeans? Denim is so entrenched in the American psyche that it can be easy to forget that most jeans have been manufactured overseas for decades.

To explore this disconnect—and to dive into the trials and tribulations of bringing domestic denim manufacturing back—Sourcing Journal themed its Summer SJ Denim edition the “Made in America” Issue.

In this episode, Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal's executive editor and denim editor, chats with Lauren Parker, director, Fairchild Studio, about what Made in America denim really means.

Read the report HERE.

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As the political and economic landscapes shift amid President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war, the fashion industry—like many others—is bracing for impact by tightening supply chain operations.

To help navigate these disruptions, Computer Generated Solutions (CGS) released the 10th annual edition of its BlueCherry State of Supply Chain and Technology Report.

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Just as cotton sustainability starts at the farm, leather sustainability starts at the ranch.

Leather is a natural byproduct of food production, but cattle farming accounts for about 40 percent of all GHG emissions from agri-food systems, not to mention deforestation when not managed correctly. That’s why the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is teaming up with companies that utilize leather to support the newly launched Deforestation-Free

Listen to the podcast with Fernando Bellese, senior director for beef and leather supply chains, WWF, and Lauren Parker, director, Fairchild Studio to learn:

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Material innovation takes two forms. You can develop new alt materials that have less impact on the planet, or you can take existing fossil fuel-based materials and develop circular recycling systems to keep them out of landfills and use them again. Both innovations are exciting and both are hard.

The good news is that VC funding in the green space has bounced back, albeit with a more selective approach that shifts the investing vibe from "gold rush" to "growth state."

In this episode, Alex Harrell, Sourcing Journal's sustainability and innovation reporter, chats with Lauren Parker, director, Fairchild Studio, about what's new and what's next in material innovation, what "innovation tourism" is and why it's slowing progress.

Download the Material Innovation Report:

https://bit.ly/4lHK5DU

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Shapewear has typically been associated with synthetic fibers, but a recent launch from Spanx is proving natural materials have a place in the category.
Based on consumer feedback, Spanx set out to create shaping garments using natural fibers, and it landed on long-staple Supima cotton as the base material. The SpanxShape Invisible Supima Cotton collection combines Supima’s natural inherent benefits with targeted stretch and hold from Lycra FitSense. The result is lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking innerwear that gives the shaping Spanx is known for.

In this episode, Spanx's chief design officer Pascale Gueracague and Supima's vice president, marketing and promotions Buxton Midyette talk with Sarah Jones, senior editor, strategic content at Sourcing Journal, about what makes Supima a fit for shapewear and how this collection delivers the "Spanx effect."

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Big Business is rapidly embracing technology, but at what cost? Can robots and AI can make the fashion industry smarter, faster, better—without sacrificing humanity?

Sourcing Journal's business reporter/tech editor Meghan Hall chats with Lauren Parker, director, Fairchild Studio, about the symbiotic relationship between man and machine.

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Diversification has quickly turned from “nice to have” to “need to have” as an escalating trade war between the U.S. and China has made the industry’s number one manufacturing destination a more expensive choice. In a challenging climate, brands are also becoming more risk averse, and a broader sourcing map that goes beyond the “China plus one” strategy helps to hedge against headwinds.

“The importance of diversification—and not just to one other area plus China, but to many other geographical locations in several different continents, potentially—is seen as an importance and an urgency, regardless of the logistical frictions that may exist in pursuing such a strategy,” said Yossi Nasser, CEO of Gelmart, which manufactures intimates for major retailers like Target and Walmart.

Although it also has operations in China, Gelmart is leaning on its factories in the Philippines amid ongoing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. More than just a means to circumvent a tariff spat, Nasser noted the Philippines is a sourcing destination that should be on the industry’s radar. 

Listen to this episode to hear Nasser speak with Sourcing Journal's sourcing and labor editor Jasmin Malik Chua about what makes the Philippines a solid choice for garment production and how Gelmart is strategizing for long-term resilience.

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