For the Belgian second hand market players Kringwinkel/HerWin, Jasmien created an inspirational keynote about new business models in the circular economy. Catered to the needs of these local players, we inspired them in their big ‘strategy day’ to take a leadership rol.

I talked about second hand clothes and the role that Kringwinkel could play in this.

Did you know that the amount of clothing thrown out each year is 48 billion kg. That is the equivalent of nine times The Great Pyramid Of Giza. If that doesn’t shock you, I don’t know what will.

We see a huge rise of ‘new’ platforms for second-hand shopping like Vinted and Vestiaire Collective. Even fashion brand themselves are jumping on the bandwagon like Filou and Friends with Filou Forever or Essentiel Antwerp with their RE-SSENTIAL website.

Will this be enough to lower that scary number?

Masterclass series provided be Belgian University Karel de Grote Hogeschoool.

Masterclass Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Work sessions and coaching for companies or teams
For companies and teams that want to work on a sustainable policy.
Central question: how do you, as a company or team, contribute to a future-proof world? You look for a balance between economic, ecological and social interests.
You follow the masterclass as a whole or in modules (full program 10 months).
You get a total package, from strategy to implementation. Topics such as materiality analysis, reporting, communication, HR, stakeholder management, change management.
You can immediately apply what you learn in a structured, efficient and hands-on manner.

 

This panel aims to address the multifaceted nature of textiles in 2023, taking into account the rise in fabric innovation, the importance of sustainability, and the many challenges and opportunities associated with textile waste and recycling. 

We venture beyond the usual discussions about textiles and dive into the significant but lesser-explored subjects such as the impact of EU legislation on the textile industry, the myths surrounding harmful textiles, and the intricacies of the supply chain.

Jasmien’s reflections on the event:

“A few weeks ago, I was honoured to speak at the Captains of Industry Ladies Cup in Nieuwpoort. Mieke Pieters from The Circular Kickstart invited me to talk about sustainability in the fashion industry and how Xandres is trying to lower its environmental and social impact. 

When we wrapped up, Mieke asked me ‘which woman inspires me’. I answered that on an entrepreneurial level, I admire Lies Mertens for her amazing work but that earlier that week, a woman really close to me inspired me on a sustainability level as well… my grandmother, or ‘moemoe’ as we say in my hometown.

I visited moemoe  that week and whilst she was preparing a classic Flemish dinner (‘chipolata’ sausage, potatoes, carrots and peas), I looked at her standing in the kitchen and realized that her kitchen sink and cooking fire were probably about 70 years old. That the pots and pans she was using were probably also used by her mother.
And then I saw her salt shaker. It was a regular plastic salt shaker from a convenience store but the label was so faded that I asked her ‘moemoe, you don’t use salt that often, do you?’.
And she said ‘no, not really, why?’.
I mentioned her salt shaker and the fact that she’s been using that tiny object for quite some time probably. And she answered ‘oh but I refill it of course’.

In my generation, people sometimes build entire ‘temporary kitchens’ because they want to renovate later on without realising the materials and energy we waste in this process. 

So what woman inspires me when it comes to sustainability? My moemoe, and an entire generation of women that still ‘use’ instead of ‘consume’ the valuable objects in our life.”

 

Not all fashion companies are created equal, so sustainability will seem like a totally different challenge – or opportunity! – to each of us. 

To answer the question “Can sustainability go hand in hand with profitability?”, we need to establish that sustainability strategies can and will vary enormously.

That’s why Lectra invited customers, experts and partners from the industry to discuss the topic of sustainability from different and even opposing points of view. All related to Product, Process and People.

Speakers:
• Jasmien Wynants – Freelance sustainability expert, Jasmien has experience at Flanders DC and is the co-author of the “Close the Loop” circular fashion initiative. She is also Sustainability Coordinator at Xandres, the Belgian women’s fashion brand.
• Jeroen Deweer – Account manager at Lectra, Jeroen enables fashion companies across the Benelux to transform, digitalize and become future-proof.
• Lieve Vermeire – Sustainability and CSR manager at Van de Velde, the Belgian lingerie and swimwear giant that’s been shaping women’s bodies and minds for over a century.
• Eva Engelen – Sustainability and product manager at HNST, the up-and-coming jeans brand that challenges the industry’s current practices by being fully transparent, recyclable and sourced in Europe.

As a fashion entrepreneur, you have an impact on different parts of the fashion cycle: designing with less textile waste or better materials, releasing fewer collections, producing locally and ethically, looking for take-back and recycling solutions,… You can also bring your customers into this story. During this webinar, we’ll familiarize you with the Close The Loop program. You will get an introduction to sustainability thinking and circular economy. In addition to some concrete tips & tricks, you will be given the necessary tools to develop your own strategy. Jasmien Wynants is a sustainability expert and the driving force behind the Close The Loop platform, the reference in the field of circular fashion. She helps fashion companies develop a sustainability strategy and how to put it into practice.