Carbon Closet Blog

The Carbon Closet Chronicle: The October Edit

Every month The Carbon Closet will break down what you might have missed within the sustainable fashion sphere the past month. We’ve scoured the internet to give you a quick breakdown of the most important headlines. Your cheat sheet to sounding like the go-to guru for sustainable fashion at any gathering!
Image courtesy of @stellamccartney via Instagram
Stella McCartney launched plant-based “fevvers” at her SS26 show
  • The luxury fashion label continues its sustainable material innovation with its new feather alternative dubbed ”fevvers” made from plants and are naturally dyed
  • Other material alternatives that Stella McCartney is known for includes MyloTM a mushroom-based leather alternative and Savian a plant-based fur alternative
  • The SS26 collection was 98 % sustainable and 100 % cruelty-free meaning no leather, fur, or exotic skins
  • Explore some of our favourite products from Stella McCartney on TheCarbonCloset.com
Image courtesy of Eco Warrior Princess on Unsplash
Sustainable Cosmetics Summit(Europe) took place in Paris October 22 & 23
  • The summit mainly explored how AI, biotechnologies, and sustainable packaging are reshaping the future of the beauty and personal care sectors
  • Generative AI is being used for raw-material selection and formulation to reduce waste and energy
  • The role of AI at the summit signals the growing importance of tech-led sustainability in the beauty industry
Image courtesy of @mudjeans via Instagram
MUD Jeans achieves TESTEX circularity label
  • The denim brand is the first of its kind to achieve the ‘Circularity Label’ from TESTEX making it a ground breaking achievement
  • The certification measures durability, repairability, and recyclability in textiles
  • This proves that MUD Jeans’ products are built to last, designed for repair, and made to be recycled
  • TESTEX is an independent testing and certification institute with a long history in textiles and sustainability
Image courtesy of Anna Voss on Unsplash
France introduces mandatory environmental labelling on textiles
  • Businesses are now required to display a clear environmental score using a standardised visual symbol
  • The score is based on a comprehensive lifecycle analysis of each item
  • This includes biodiversity impact, microfibre release, and end-of-life (e.g., recyclability and disposal)
  • The initiative is considered to be a potential case study for wider European adoption
Image courtesy of @marksandspencer via Instagram
M&S x Bella Freud link up for a second collection
Image courtesy of Guillaume Périgois on Unsplash
EU launches extended producer responsibility(EPR) rules for textiles
  • The EU’s revised Waste Framework Directive took effect on 16 October 2025, mandating that textile and footwear producers fund waste collection, recycling, and reuse programmes to drive circularity
Image courtesy of @circ_earth via Instagram
Circ and H&M Group partner on recycled polycotton fashion collection
Image courtesy of Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
Sustainable Beauty Coalition launches “Great British Beauty Clean Up”
  • Backed by the British Beauty Council, this campaign encourages brands and consumers to reduce beauty waste through refill, reuse, and recycling schemes across the UK
Image courtesy of Prudence Earl on Unsplash
UK charity shops face crisis as 200 stores prepare to close
  • Cancer Research UK confirmed plans to shut almost 200 stores over 18 months due to falling resale value of donated textiles and rising disposal costs
Image courtesy of @isto.pt via Instagram
ISTO creates world’s first biodegradable “Banantex” suit from banana fibre
  • Portuguese brand ISTO launched a new biodegradable men's suit, made from banana-plant fibre, advancing plant-based textiles in menswear
Image courtesy of @habitatuk via Instagram
Homeware brand Habitat announces 2025 AW Morris & Co sustainable collaboration
  • Habitat extended its eco-focused partnership line with Morris & Co, reintroducing heritage prints and natural materials across furnishings and décor
Image courtesy of Sigmund on Unsplash
UK Salvation Army x Tesco pilot textile-recycling scheme in car parks
  • A new October 2025 pilot lets shoppers drop off damaged or unwearable clothing at Tesco car parks for recycling and reuse via automated sorting technology
Image courtesy of Wiktoria Skrzekotowska on Unsplash
World Circular Textile Day 2025 promotes repair and closed-loop systems
  • Celebrated 8 October 2025, the event pushed brands and consumers toward genuine circularity – reuse, repair, and recycling – beyond greenwashing slogans
Image courtesy of Edward Howell on Unsplash
Recycling & Sustainability Expo London focuses on circular fashion and waste reform
  • The October 7–8 event united policymakers, brands, and recyclers to translate upcoming EU and UK waste legislation into actionable textile recycling plans
Image courtesy of @swedishstockings via Instagram
Swedish Stockings launches pop-up vending machine made from recycled tights
  • The hosiery brand unveiled a “moving pop-up” vending machine built from 500 recycled tights, showcasing creative reuse and awareness of textile waste
If you want to explore and read more about sustainable fashion there’re plenty more articles on The Carbon Closet blog. Updated weekly to satisfy your sustainability curiosity! Here are a few articles we think you’d love:
2025-10-31 10:30 Monthly Round-Up