BoF’s chief sustainability correspondent Sarah Kent discusses the rise of mycelium leather in fashion, with brands like Stella McCartney and Balenciaga leading the way. The potential $2.2 billion market for alternative materials hinges on scaling up production and reducing prices, as the industry strives for more eco-friendly options.

Sarah Kent, BOF's Sustainability Editor, dives deep into the troubling revelations surrounding luxury brands like Dior and Armani, connected to illegal sweatshops in Italy. She discusses how these brands obscure labor exploitation under the guise of high prices and Italian craftsmanship while ignoring systemic issues. Kent highlights the industry’s 'open secret,' where unethical practices persist despite audits. The conversation questions the balance between ethical standards and profitability, exploring how consumer trust hangs in the balance amidst these revelations.

Listen to BoF’s chief sustainability correspondent Sarah Kent discuss the challenges of marketing and scaling leather alternatives, the complexities of eco-friendly materials in fashion, the importance of transparent labeling, and the emergence of innovative materials like mushroom 'leather'.

Sarah Kent, the sustainability editor at BOF, dives into the critical issues plaguing labor in fashion, revealing alarming cases of child labor in India and slavery in Taiwan. She discusses how exploitation is entrenched in socio-economic systems, making change challenging. Kent emphasizes the necessity of transparency in supply chains, as brands struggle to trace their cotton's origins. The conversation also touches on the responsibilities of major fashion brands and the impact of consumer choices on ethical practices, advocating for collective action to combat these systemic issues.

Sarah Kent, Chief Sustainability Correspondent at The Business of Fashion, discusses the precarious state of DEI and ESG initiatives in the fashion industry. She highlights the performative nature of many DEI efforts established post-George Floyd and questions the authenticity of current sustainability commitments. Kent warns that recent political shifts have led major brands, like Walmart, to retrench their initiatives, emphasizing the business imperative of meaningful change. The conversation probes the disconnect between ambitious promises and actual progress in a volatile landscape.