Can Fashion Become a Force for Regeneration for the Planet and Societies?

The fashion and textile industry is today one of the most polluting in the world. It massively depletes natural resources, generates mountains of waste, and often exploits workers in precarious conditions. Faced with this reality, traditional approaches such as recycling or waste reduction have shown their limits. They help to do less harm, but are not enough to repair the damage caused to the environment and communities. However, a new path is emerging: regenerative fashion. This concept goes beyond the simple circular economy by actively proposing to restore ecosystems, strengthen soil health, and support local populations.

Circular fashion, which focuses on reusing, repairing, and recycling clothing, marked an important first step. It extended the lifespan of products and limited waste. Yet, these methods often remain neutral in terms of impact. They reduce waste but do not regenerate soils depleted by intensive cotton farming, halt microplastic pollution from synthetic fibers, or address social inequalities in global supply chains. For example, fabric recycling consumes a lot of energy, and recycled fibers often lose quality with each cycle. Additionally, polyester garments, even when recycled, continue to release microplastics into the oceans with every wash.

Regenerative fashion offers a radically different approach. It draws inspiration from natural ecosystems to design clothing and production processes that give back more than they take. This involves using innovative materials such as mycelium leather, grown from fungi, or algae-based fibers, which decompose without polluting and even enrich the soil. It also encourages agricultural practices that restore biodiversity, such as agroforestry, where textile crops grow among trees that protect the soil and capture CO₂. These methods not only produce sustainable raw materials but also revitalize the land and create fair local jobs.

Designers play a key role in this transition. They create modular, easy-to-repair, and disassemblable garments so that each component can be recycled or composted at the end of its life. Some incorporate natural dyes derived from plants or food waste, thereby avoiding toxic chemicals. Others collaborate with local artisans to preserve traditional craftsmanship while adapting designs to contemporary needs. The goal is to create timeless pieces, designed to last and be cherished, rather than discarded after a few uses.

For this transformation to be possible, the entire value chain must be rethought. Brands need to invest in local composting and recycling infrastructure, while governments can support this transition through subsidies and incentive regulations. Consumers, for their part, are encouraged to adopt a more conscious approach: buy less, but better, and participate in the maintenance of their clothing. Initiatives such as repair workshops and resale platforms are multiplying, showing that another way of consuming is possible.

This regenerative vision does not merely limit damage. It aims to make fashion a lever for positive change, capable of restoring ecosystems while improving the living conditions of workers. By aligning industrial practices with natural cycles, it paves the way for a future where fashion is no longer an environmental problem, but part of the solution.

Origin of Sources

Original Publication

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-026-00824-3

Title: Regenerative Fashion Systems: Redefining Circularity in the Fashion and Textiles Industry

Journal: Circular Economy and Sustainability

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Nauman Choudhry; Saniyat Islam; Rebecca Van Amber; Carolina Quintero Rodriguez; Jenny Underwood; Tarun Panwar