A BETTER DRESSED FUTURE: WHAT FASHION GOT RIGHT IN 2025
By: Erica Commisso
With the year winding down, it’s time to get reflective. While so much has happened across the world in 2025, fashion has enjoyed a fair share of positive impact in many different ways - from sustainability and philanthropy to inclusivity and more.
Here are some of the achievements the industry has seen this year.
Source: Ben Iwara / @1hundredimages
A focus on circularity: Circularity in fashion became more important than ever. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the circular economy could cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 39% by 2030. Programs and incentives like Circular Economy Week and Shelter’s Rescue and Repair program encouraged shoppers to create a more circular economy by repairing pre-owned pieces, buying secondhand clothing, and investing in pieces for longevity. And programs like Patagonia's Worn Wear Program and Levi’s recycling initiative enjoyed smashing success and tons of consumer support.
Ethical production found the limelight: The ethical and sustainable fashion market is growing significantly, expected to grow to a value of $11,122.2 million in 2027, according to Research and Markets, and Nova Tomato reports that millennials and Gen Z are particularly invested in ethical initiatives, which include cruelty-free clothing, fair trade production, eco-friendly practices, and more. Research and Markets projects a rise in the eco-friendly market in particular, after its value significantly increased in 2025. Upcycled accessories in particular, also became a more valuable sector in 2025.
Regenerative agriculture moved fashion forward: Sustainability took a massive leap in 2025 thanks to the more regular integration of regenerative agriculture when growing materials. Instead of striving not to harm ecosystems, farmers have now actively started healing them with practices that rebuild soil health, increase carbon sequestration and improve water retention. No-till farming, cover cropping, and holistic grazing have risen in farming for many industries, but fashion saw it with natural fibers like cotton and wool in particular. India is a huge hub for cotton farming, and regenerative practices have started to form there, monitored by companies like Cotton Connect, and the fibre is used by brands like Primark–thanks to the Primark Cotton Project–have gotten involved.
Advancements in adaptive fashion: Sinead Burke, the chief executive officer of accessibility and inclusion consultancy Tilting the Lens, wrote a book that essentially offers an adaptive fashion blueprint for brands to follow to help them understand and design adaptive fashion. Burke’s book helps brands better understand the community, and it follows several advancements in adaptive representation from companies like American Eagle and Primark, and adaptive fashion runway showcases at colleges and other grassroots fashion events and programs, including Runway of Dreams.
CFDA’s celebration of Black excellence: Daveed Baptiste won the CFDA’s 2025 Empowered Vision Award, honouring his unwavering commitment to fashion and his iconic artistry in developing his brand. It’s the second year of the award, which always honours Black excellence in fashion, and Trustee James Frazier commended Baptiste’s efforts in the ceremony. “It is a privilege to be here for year two of the Empower Envision Award,” he said. “This program was created with a clear intention to honor the brilliance, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of Black designers. Our Foundation is built on the cornerstone of expanding opportunity, advocating for education, and supporting emerging talent from historically underrepresented communities.”
Fashion is going genderless: If we learned one thing from the 2025 red carpet circuit, its that gender-fluid fashion is taking the world by storm. Rick Owens has long been a champion of gender fluidity in fashion, and he continued to be in 2025, but he had help from celebrities like Harry Styles and Billy Porter, and Rad Hourani’s unisex haute couture collection, which was presented in Paris, represented a historic first in the industry. Rigidity was kicked to the curb in 2025 in favour of a more fluid gender expression in fashion.
As 2025 draws to a close, fashion stands as proof that creativity and responsibility can move forward together. From more inclusive design and improved accessibility to smarter materials and more transparent practices, the industry has shown that meaningful progress is possible without sacrificing style. These shifts signal a future where fashion not only reflects who we are, but also contributes positively to how we live, consume, and connect with the world around us.
Cover Image Source: Khaled Ghareeb / @khaledkagii