From vision to action

The fashion industry in China has long been dedicated to achieving sustainable development. This season's M Space forum, which invited industry leaders to discuss and contemplate, has reflected the fact that sustainable development is no longer merely a slogan but is gradually permeating various sectors of the fashion industry.

In the discussion on how sustainable fashion can transition from "vision" to "action", the efforts and reforms made by traditional apparel companies have been underscored, alongside the exploration of sustainable development by emerging brands.

Esquel Group, a textile and apparel giant committed to sustainable development for decades, reveals that the company has reduced water consumption per unit by approximately 70 percent since it began collecting data in 2005, which is equivalent to saving the amount of water in 4,800 standard swimming pools annually.

Cai Wei, CEO of the high-end shirt brand Determinant owned by Esquel Group, addresses the transformation of an abandoned quarry in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, into a sustainable park that includes spinning and weaving factories.

"Guilin is recognized as one of the most beautiful environments in the world, and our work there showcases that although the textile industry is a traditional industry, it can be conducted in a nontraditional and sustainable manner," Cai says.

He further introduces the group's launch of a series of recyclable and renewable products, such as a waterless dyeing product that achieves zero water usage and emission during the dyeing process, saving 40 liters of water per garment. Additionally, the group supports the sustainable development of its employees by sending them to college and conveys sustainability concepts to children through various activities.