The Sustainable Fashion Revolution: Insights from Mintel's, Mark Beckett

This week, Griffith College's Fashion Design students were treated to a thought-provoking guest lecture by Chloe George, an Analyst, and Mark Beckett, an Account Manager from Mintel, to discuss the Fashion and Sustainability Report Ireland 2023, written by Rebecca Blenman. Mintel, a London-based market research company, provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of sustainable fashion. 

Beckett's report highlighted the rise of innovative methods like pre-loved platforms, rental services, and the vintage revival, offering consumers cost-effective and waste-reducing alternatives that pose a challenge to fast fashion brands. The lecture emphasized the growing consumer demand for transparency, particularly in traceable fashion items from smaller sustainable businesses utilizing local resources, fostering a circular investment model. 

Covering important topics such as designers' creative material use, the vintage revival, rentals promoting sustainability and affordability, and the integration of tech in sustainable fashion, the lecture was a rich source of inspiration for both our BA in Fashion Design, Level 7, and BA (Hons) in Fashion Design, Level 8 learners.  

Jane Leavey, the Programme Director for Fashion Design, noted: “The insights gained from this session will undoubtedly shape their dissertation research and collections, equipping them with the knowledge to navigate and contribute to the future of the fashion industry”.