Shape Innovate

Ok? Highlights from Today’s Panel Discussion at MUNICH FABRIC START! ? Today, our founder Muchaneta ten Napel had the privilege of hearing from incredible industry leaders on critical topics shaping the future of fashion and sustainability. Here are some key takeaways and lessons learned: 1?? On Blockchain and Traceability Bilal Bhatti, Founder & CEO, Papertale: "By integrating blockchain into the supply chain, we’re able to offer traceability and involve consumers directly in the circular process." → Lesson: Blockchain technology isn't just a buzzword; it’s a tool for building transparency and empowering consumers to participate in sustainability. 2?? On Collaboration Across the Value Chain Daniela Antunes, Marketing Manager, Fulgar S.P.A.: "Collaboration across the value chain is essential—from collection to brands. It takes everyone to achieve the goal of circularity." → Lesson: Circularity is a team sport! It’s vital for every stakeholder in the value chain to work together for meaningful change. 3?? On Technology as an Enabler Franziska Ostermeier, Sales Manager, Climatex: "Digital product passports and dissolvable threads are not just innovations—they’re systemic enablers for a truly circular economy." → Lesson: Technology can drive systemic change, enabling scalable solutions for a circular economy. 4?? On Infrastructure Gaps in Europe Helene Smits, Head of Business Development & Partnerships, Looper Textile Co.: "Europe lacks sufficient sorting and recycling capacity, and the quality of collected textiles is declining. We need significant investments to build an infrastructure that supports circularity." → Lesson: Infrastructure investments are critical to overcoming the bottlenecks in textile recycling and achieving sustainability goals. 5?? On Consumer Trust and Transparency Madhura Pawar , Global Product Innovation – Monomers Division, BASF: "Consumers want to buy recycled products, but they’re not always clear on what ‘recycled’ means. Clear guidelines and transparency are critical to building trust." → Lesson: Educating and being transparent with consumers about sustainability practices is key to fostering trust and loyalty. ?? These discussions have reinforced that collaboration, innovation, and investment are the cornerstones of creating a truly sustainable and circular fashion industry. Let’s keep the momentum going! #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #Blockchain #Innovation #FashionIndustry #MunichFabricStart2025

Happy New Year! Following our founder Muchaneta ten Napel’s latest thoughts (see link to article below), here are some answers to the most asked questions. Why is the "fling" approach to sustainability problematic for fashion brands? The "fling" approach, where brands launch short-term, often small-scale sustainability initiatives expecting quick returns (like positive PR or sales boosts), is problematic because it undermines trust with consumers. Sustainability and new technology require long-term commitment, investment, and a willingness to learn from setbacks. When brands abandon these initiatives due to lack of immediate results, they are perceived as opportunistic and lacking genuine commitment. This erodes credibility and reinforces consumer skepticism. What does a genuine long-term commitment to sustainability in fashion entail? A genuine, long-term commitment to sustainability in fashion involves weaving sustainability into every aspect of a brand's operations. This includes making continuous improvements to supply chains, investing in research and development of new sustainable materials, embracing circular fashion practices (recycling, reusing), and ensuring ethical labour practices. It is an ongoing process of striving for better, rather than achieving a state of perfection, that requires both effort and consistency. Why is collaboration essential for advancing sustainability in the fashion industry? The fashion industry often works in silos, with brands acting independently. Collaboration – including sharing resources, data, and partnering with experts – can overcome these limitations. By working together, brands can share costs, minimise risks, and learn from each other’s successes and failures, accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and equitable sector and more effectively address challenges like reducing carbon emissions and ensuring fair labor practices. Why should the fashion industry look to other industries for solutions regarding sustainability? The fashion industry does not need to reinvent the wheel. Other industries (such as automotive, technology and consumer goods) have already tackled challenges that are relevant to fashion, and it can draw upon existing strategies. By leveraging this existing knowledge, and then adapting and improving these concepts to suit the unique needs of the fashion industry, it can implement better, faster, and more effective solutions. What is the most crucial change the fashion industry needs to make regarding sustainability + new technologies? The most crucial change the fashion industry needs to make is to move away from treating sustainability or new technology as a "nice-to-have" or a fleeting trend, and instead to embrace it as an investment in the future. This means ditching short-sighted, superficial gestures and focusing on building a truly sustainable and profitable future, where returns are measured by the lasting value they bring to society and the planet.

??? Today’s Session 4 on Designs and Sustainability led by Gordon Humphreys, President ad interim of the Boards of Appeal at EUIPO - European Union Intellectual Property Office, Muchaneta ten Napel had the opportunity to present on the evolving role of sustainable design in addressing environmental challenges and supporting innovation. Here are the key takeaways from her talk: 1?? Sustainable Design goes beyond aesthetics—it's about rethinking how we design to minimise environmental impact while creating social benefits. 2?? Environmental & Economic Benefits: Sustainable design reduces waste, pollution, and reliance on finite resources while offering long-term cost savings. 3?? Social Responsibility: Healthier environments through toxin-free materials and design approaches that benefit both people and the planet. 4?? IP & Sustainability: The EU’s IP Action Plan supports sustainable innovations, protecting circular and eco-friendly designs to promote a greener economy. 5?? AI & Design: Artificial intelligence will revolutionise sustainable product development, helping us design smarter, more efficient solutions. 6?? Combatting Greenwashing: Stronger IP rights can help ensure transparency and prevent counterfeit products that undermine sustainability. 7?? Real-World Examples: Patagonia, Tesla, The Bullitt Center, and Loop are leading the way in sustainable innovation, showing us how design can truly make a difference. Let’s continue driving positive change by rethinking how we design, produce, and consume! ???? #Sustainability #DesignInnovation #IPProtection #CircularEconomy #SustainableFuture #AIinDesign #GreenDesign #SustainableBusiness #EcoFriendlyDesign #ClimateAction

On June 26, 2024, at the Future Fabrics Expo our founder Muchaneta ten Napel had the honour of joining a dynamic panel on "How Legal and Policy Frameworks Can Set the Right Parameters for Social and Environmental Justice." Moderated by Bella Webb of Vogue Business, the discussion explored the complex relationship between fashion, legislation, and sustainability. Here are some key insights she shared during the conversation: ?? "One of the problems that we’re facing is inconsistency in regulations across member states. If we’re all going in different directions, we don’t go anywhere." ? "The fashion industry is moving at a very slow pace, which is a big problem because we need to move faster in order to make change and to make a difference." ?? "It’s no longer a 'me' problem; it’s a 'we' problem. How can we, as an industry, comply with these upcoming legislations in a way that leaves no one behind?" ?? "The lawmakers know nothing about the fashion industry, so fashion as a whole needs to be part of this conversation. We don’t have a voice in Brussels, and that’s a problem." ?? "The industry has shown that it can’t self-regulate, so who’s going to suffer? It’s going to be anyone who doesn’t educate themselves about what’s coming and what’s happening." These quotes capture the urgency, challenges, and the essential need for collective action that I emphasized during our discussion. It's crucial that we all engage and educate ourselves about the evolving legal landscape to ensure that we move forward together, leaving no one behind. A special thanks to Muchaneta’s fellow panelists Jojo Mehta from Stop Ecocide, Neesha-Ann Longdon from The OR Foundation Ghana, and Tapiwa Nxele from the United Nations Environment Programme for their invaluable contributions to this important conversation. Watch: https://lnkd.in/eTudF2BV #SustainableFashion #FashionLaw #FutureFabricsExpo #EnvironmentalJustice #SocialJustice #CollectiveAction

At the Future Fabrics Expo event organised by The Sustainable Angle on June 26, 2024, Muchaneta ten Napel, founder of Shape Innovate provided insightful responses during the panel discussion on "How Legal and Policy Frameworks Can Set the Right Parameters for Social and Environmental Justice." Alongside her was panelists Jojo Mehta (Stop Ecocide), Neesha-Ann Longdon (The OR Foundation Ghana), and @Tapiwa Nxele (United Nations Environment Programme) moderated by Bella Webb (Vogue Business), Highlights of Muchaneta ten Napel's Contributions: 1. Critique of Current Legislation: Muchaneta highlighted the inconsistencies in regulations across EU member states, which complicate compliance for fashion companies operating in multiple jurisdictions. She emphasised the slow adaptation of legislation to the rapid evolution of the fashion industry, noting that this often results in failing to promptly address emerging issues. Muchaneta argued that this lag inhibits innovation and adequately tackling environmental challenges. 2. Sustainability and Administrative Challenges: She pointed out that while there has been a focus on sustainability, the scope of legislation targeting the environmental impacts specific to the fashion industry remains limited. This includes critical areas like waste management, chemical use, and the overall carbon footprint. Additionally, she discussed the complexity and administrative burden of EU regulations, which disproportionately impact smaller fashion companies, potentially stifling their growth and innovation. 3. Enforcement and Labour Practices: Muchaneta also touched on the challenges of enforcing EU legislation, especially due to the global nature of the fashion supply chain which often extends beyond EU borders. 4. Consumer Protection and SME Impact: She stressed the need for greater transparency in the fashion industry concerning product origin and manufacturing processes, noting current legislation's inadequacy in meeting consumer demands for this information. Muchaneta also highlighted how EU regulations often place a heavier burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which struggle with compliance costs and complexities. Conclusion and Recommendations: Muchaneta ten Napel advocated for revising existing legislation and introducing new regulations better suited to the current industry challenges. emphasised the importance of enhancing cross-border cooperation within the EU to ensure more uniform enforcement and the inclusion of accountability measures that protect the most vulnerable populations. Her contributions to the panel underscored the need for a legislative framework that not only addresses the technical aspects of regulation but also ensures social and environmental justice are interwoven into the legal fabric, thereby safeguarding against the exploitation of vulnerable communities and environments.