A model wears a design by Celest Thoi at a multinational showcase celebrating sustainable fashion. Photo: Singapore Fashion Council
Once predicted to be a passing buzzword, sustainability has now become a defining standard in fashion.
The push for more responsible consumption is influencing everything from material choices to the way campaigns are conceived.
Kuala Lumpur-based Singaporean designer Celest Thoi recently brought this ethos to life.
She transformed plastic bottles and bags into delicate floral embellishments using innovative 3D-printing techniques, and repurposed off-cut fabric remnants.
She has also worked with textiles made from banana stems and pineapple leaves, demonstrating how sustainably sourced materials can be transformed into something both refined and luxurious.
According to Thoi, the industry is continuously moving towards a more sustainable future.
Frames and lenses are now made with recycled materials to reduce their carbon footprint. — Hugo Boss Eyewear“With Malaysia’s wealth of natural resources, I truly hope to see more entrepreneurs embracing the green market – to reimagine what sustainable fashion can be in our region,” she said.
“True luxury lies in its conscience. It’s about crafting creations that will last beyond seasons.”
Read more: How Hatta Dolmat designs for impact, keeping fashion both responsible and bold
Premium Outlets Malaysia launched a campaign this month highlighting simple yet meaningful ways to make circular fashion part of everyday life.
Shoppers are encouraged to give their pre-loved clothes and shoes a new purpose through collection drives.
In collaboration with Malaysian social enterprise Kloth Cares, the retailer is also offering upcycled tote bags as a reminder that sustainability often begins with small, everyday choices.
When Stella McCartney presented her Spring/Summer 2026 collection at Paris Fashion Week, she made a statement on ethical alternatives.
The British designer showcased plant-based feathers made from agricultural byproducts, reinforcing her long-standing commitment to cruelty-free luxury and proving once again that innovation is the future of high fashion.
Seashells left behind by nature are being transformed into jewellery, giving them a second life. Photo: Wanderlust + CoAmid the frenzy of runway action across the city at that time, Chaumet unveiled window displays where luxury and upcycling united.
The jewellery house transformed 312kg of old staff uniforms into striking visual installations.
New product releases today often come with some sort of a pledge to sustainability as well.
The Autumn/Winter 2025 Hugo Boss eyewear collection added new frames crafted with Acetate Renew, a material made from 27% recycled content and 43% bio-based content. Even the sunglass lenses contain 50% recycled materials.
Read more: Fur is wrong, shearling is fine: When did fashion’s ethics get so fuzzy?
Mango launched a collection for its youth line using post-consumer recycled fibres, with garments created from shredded textile waste that is spun into new yarns – closing the loop in the textile cycle.
The range also uses an innovative garment dyeing technique that significantly reduces water and energy consumption.
Closer to home, Malaysian brand Wanderlust + Co introduced necklaces and earrings crafted from oyster and abalone shells, sending a clear message: nature’s castaways can be transformed into chic little treasures.
These examples collectively reflect a growing truth – sustainability is not a niche experiment.
Rather, it has evolved into a creative force that is reshaping fashion. The result is a mindset shift among designers and brands working responsibly and with purpose.
