What’s Next in Sustainable Fashion? Here's what nine designers and experts say:

When you open up a “regular” fashion magazine, you might find an article listing the top trends to wear for a Night on the Town, or the Top Nail Colors - you get the idea. But as a sustainable fashion magazine, we see that brands tend to have a much higher standard when it comes to trends.

One overarching theme we see across most sustainable brands is that their mission statement can oftentimes be such a huge part of what they are working on next. Whether it be using new recycled materials or focusing more on natural fibers, being a sustainable brand means that you oftentimes have to forgo the typical trendy items and think bigger picture.

With that said, there are still trends within the sustainable fashion industry. Whether they are design-related, values-driven, or based on new manufacturing technology, there are definitely still trends that designers take into consideration when it comes to producing new collections.

Here’s what we discovered after speaking with nine different brands about what they see trending in a sustainable fashion.

RECYLING MATERIALS

At PYRATES, we are convinced sustainable, responsible fashion, will turn even more towards the recycling of materials which are otherwise thrown away, such as agricultural or textile industry waste. We have recently released our PYRATEX® element II fabric, for example, which is made with food industry banana agri-waste. – Pilar Tejada Lopez, PYRATES

EXCITING DESIGN

Sustainable fashion doesn't have to be boring. I expect this year to include more fun, bold and colorful pieces that are comfortable and versatile enough to restyle for different looks. After a crazy year, I think we’d all like to see some fun and happy colors to lift moods and create positive energy in 2021. Vanni L, founder VALANI

INNOVATIVE FABRIC

"We're so excited to see more hemp and innovative fibers like banana fabric being incorporated into sustainable fashion. We are really big fans of hemp textiles at Made Trade and can't wait for this durable and earth-friendly fiber to become much more mainstream in the U.S. market especially!" – Cayley Pater, Founder Made Trade

VEGAN MATERIALS + SYNTHETIC WASTE RECYCLING

Brands like us create awareness by teaching the importance of vegan materials such as cactus leather, pineapple, apple, among others. We also see the evolution of new production models for sustainable development recycling and regeneration of synthetic waste such as fishing nets and spun into a new textile product as robust as nylon. – Laura Aguilera CEO & Creative Director VICTORIA PARIS

ORGANIC LUXURY

Fascinated by the Silk Road, Camille was inspired by its craftsmanship and ancestral traditions. Her sustainable creations are meant as a praise to the past by highlighting long-standing and unique skills while also taking part in the writing of the world to come. “Organic luxury is to make less but to tell more." – Camille Jaillant, OLISTIC

SOLVING POVERTY

“If you are to be serious about solutions to poverty, you have to do two things: create jobs, and do so for women.” ABLE

SHIFTING THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY

“ADIFF was founded on the beliefs that fashion should be responsive to global issues, which is why we created a new system to upcycle waste materials and provide support + opportunities to resettled refugees. We envision sustainability and ethics as the future of fashion and are committed to ensuring everyone can participate in bringing forward this industry shift, not just those who can afford traditionally "sustainable" items.” – Angela Luna & Loulwa Al Saad, ADIFF

REGENERATIVE FASHION

Our mission is to use fashion as a tool for environmental regeneration. To us, sustainability today can only mean regenerative. We are well past the time of trying to reduce negative impacts and we need to start thinking big about how our economies will contribute to reversing climate change. We believe that the fashion industry is in a unique position to do this, thanks to its global reach and massive volumes. – Aroa Fernandez Alvarez Cofounder Trace Collective