REGENERATIVE FIBERS AND MATERIALS AT A GLANCE Regenerative farming plays a critical role in the production of key natural fibers and materials used in fashion. Here’s how:
CERTIFICATION IS INTEGRAL TO MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF REGENERATIVE FARMING CLAIMS. ROC IS ONE OF THE LEADING STANDARDS, FOCUSING ON THREE KEY PILLARS: SOIL HEALTH, ANIMAL WELFARE, AND SOCIAL FAIRNESS.
Building Regenerative Supply Chains
Climate-Sincere Legislation
Regenerative a fundamental rethinking of supply chains for emerging brands and industry giants alike. Christy Dawn, a line of vintage-inspired dresses and knitwear, is bypassing traditional supply chain models entirely through its Farm-to-Closet initiative, which partners directly with cotton farms in India. These farms use regenerative techniques that improve the soil, foster biodiversity, and ensure traceability from farm to finished garment. Similarly, designer Stella McCartney has collaborated with regenerative wool farms to minimize the environmental impact of her collections. On a larger scale, the Kering Group, which owns luxury brands including Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga, is making significant investments in regenerative agriculture, particularly for cotton, wool, and leather production. Kering’s Regenerative Fund for Nature aims to convert 1 million hectares of land into regenerative agriculture by 2026. farming requires While implementing these practices is financially and logistically challenging, the environmental and economic benefits are immense.
wellness of cattle, sheep, goats, bison, and other livestock. Additionally, ROC ensures fair treatment of farmworkers. Farms under ROC have reported a 15% increase in yields and a 40% reduction in water usage, demonstrating both the rise in productivity and the environmental benefits of regenerative practices. The Savory Institute’s Land to Market program offers verification for products sourced from regenerative grassland environments. Forward-thinking brands such as Eileen Fisher, Reformation, New Balance, UGGs, and Timberland have participated in the program to source wool, leather, and lamb shearling for their apparel and footwear. The program utilizes Ecological Outcome Verification, a monitoring protocol that ensures regenerative grazing practices improve a landscape’s ecosystem function while contributing to soil health and biodiversity. It’s a growing trend, according to Bobby Gill, director of development and communications at the Savory Institute. “We are seeing companies align their supply chains with regenerative agriculture as a way to invest in the future of our planet, while also ensuring that their sourcing practices are part of the solution, not the problem,” he says.
Governments increasingly incentivizing regenerative farming practices through subsidies and grants. The U.S. Department of Agriculture supports this transition with programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program and Environmental are Quality Incentives Program, offering financial aid to farmers adopting regenerative techniques such as rotational grazing, cover cropping, and reduced tillage. The U.S. Farm Bill includes provisions to promote these practices, too. In the European Union, the Common Agricultural Policy allocates substantial funding to “greening” initiatives that encourage soil regeneration, biodiversity, and carbon capture. The European Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy further align with regenerative agriculture principles. All of these legislative frameworks create financial incentives and regulatory guidelines that encourage the adoption of regenerative farming practices, helping fashion and all other industries transition to more sustainable sourcing methods. While there is no single solution to reverse the effects of climate change, the fashion industry’s use of regenerative farming practices presents an opportunity for large-scale change. As consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability, transparency, and ethics, apparel brands must continue to evolve, integrating regenerative principles throughout the supply chain. By supporting brands that champion and practice regenerative farming, shoppers play a crucial role in fostering a more sustainable future, ensuring the integrity of their closets starts with the soil.
COTTON Traditional methods of farming cotton — one of the world’s most widely used fibers — are notoriously resource-intensive; regenerative cotton farming significantly reduces the amount of water required.
HEMP Regenerative farming of hemp, which is enjoying a resurgence in the fashion world, uses minimal water while replenishing soil health.
LEATHER Regenerative leather production relies on rotational grazing systems, which diminish the effects of traditional leather farming and tanning processes.
RUBBER Growing rubber trees in biodiverse, regenerative agroforests causes less damage than monoculture rubber plantations, expanding the capacity for natural rubber.
The Role of Certification
Certification is integral to maintaining the integrity of regenerative farming claims. ROC is one of the leading standards, focusing on three key pillars: soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. ROC farms use methods like cover cropping and reduced tilling to enhance soil fertility and sequester carbon. Rotational grazing regenerates land while benefiting the
WOOL Rotational grazing — frequently moving livestock through pasture subdivisions to allow plants to rest and regrow — ensures sheep farms prioritize ecosystem health, setting new standards for sustainable wool production.
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ISSUE 02
OUR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE IN FIBERS
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