Rethinking Fashion for a Regenerative Future

This week, I found myself immersed in the world of circular design, guided by Debbie Luffman of Think Circular. It was a deep dive into reimagining how we create, consume, and discard—challenging the outdated linear model of take, make, waste in favour of something far more regenerative.

What is Good Design?

Before we can design circularly, we must first ask: What makes a design good? Good design is not just about aesthetics; it must be functional, durable, ethical, and sustainable. It should serve a purpose, last the test of time, and minimise its impact on people and the planet.

Here’s a framework for good design that aligns with circularity principles:

1. Design for Circularity – Products should be repairable, recyclable, or biodegradable rather than destined for landfills.
2. Design for Functionality – Every item should have a use, not just be a fleeting trend.
3. Design for Durability – Prioritising quality fibres, fabrics, and construction ensures longevity.
4. Use Regenerative Materials – opt for organic, bio-based, and recycled fibres over virgin materials.
5. Ensure Ethical Production – Support fair wages, safe working conditions, and local communities.
6. Minimise Waste & Pollution – Reduce excess production, use non-toxic dyes, and switch to biodegradable packaging.
7. Localise Supply Chains – Re-shoring and regional production help reduce carbon footprints and revive local skills.
8. Transparency is Key – Consumers deserve to know where raw materials come from and how products are made.

Rethinking Design Through Circular Systems

Traditional fashion operates on a linear model—where materials are extracted, processed, used, and discarded. But circularity challenges this approach. It’s about keeping materials in use for as long as possible before safely returning them to nature.

To design for circularity, we must:

✅ Eliminate waste & pollution upstream – Choose safe, regenerative materials designed for multiple life cycles, making use of by-products and innovations in textile science.

✅ Circulate materials & products – This means designing for repairability, upgradability, and emotional durability. Embedding reuse, repair, rental, and resale models into fashion’s DNA is essential.

✅ Regenerate nature – Our choices should support biodiversity, improve soil and air quality, and restore ecosystems rather than deplete them.

Zooming In & Out: Systems Thinking in Design

Circular design isn’t just about a single product—it’s about seeing the bigger picture. Every garment exists within a larger system:

🌍 Individual <> Society – How does personal fashion consumption impact global supply chains?

🌱 Local <> Global Ecosystems – How do materials affect environmental health at both micro and macro levels?

💰 Value Exchange <> Economic Systems – Can we create profit models that prioritize well-being over overproduction?

Nature as the Ultimate Designer

If we want to build sustainable design systems, we only need to look to nature for inspiration. In a thriving ecosystem, everything has a purpose:

🍂 Leaves decompose to nourish the soil
🐦 Birds disperse seeds, regenerating forests
🍄 Fungi networks redistribute nutrients

Imagine if fashion worked like this—where every fabric, button, and stitch was designed to feed back into the system instead of becoming waste.

A Transition in Motion

We are in a period of transition—where both the linear and circular economies coexist. Navigating this shift requires rethinking design on all levels:

🛍 Product Design – Can we make garments modular, repairable, or biodegradable?
📦 Business Models – Can we scale resale, rental, and take-back programs?
📜 Systemic Change – Can policy, finance, and education support circularity?

Final Thoughts: Good Design is a Movement

Designing for circularity isn’t just an aesthetic or a marketing tagline—it’s an act of activism. It challenges wasteful fast fashion and calls for an industry built on transparency, regeneration, and respect for both people and planet.

Every thread, fabric, and silhouette must serve a greater purpose—not just for now, but for the future.

Because good design isn’t just about looking good—it’s about doing good. 🌿♻️

Follow My Journey in Fashion Sustainability

As I continue my master’s in Fashion Sustainability, I’ll be reflecting on what I learn, the challenges we face in transforming the industry, and the innovations shaping the future of circular fashion. If you’re passionate about sustainability, ethical design, and rethinking fashion’s impact, I invite you to follow along as I explore these ideas in my ongoing reflections. Let’s keep the conversation going—because the future of fashion is circular. 🌍✨

Wilde Reads: Books For Change

If you're passionate about sustainability and fashion, why not join our Wilde Hippi Book Club? Together, we’ll explore books that inspire change, discuss new ideas, and build a community committed to ethical living. We are currently read The Future We Choose by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac Let’s turn the page towards a better world! 📚✨

With gratitude,
Tala 🌿✨

Follow the Journey

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BLUESKY | YOUTUBE | TWITTER

Join the conversation with hashtags like:
#wildehippiways #thread-ed #wildereads #fashionsustainability #progressdiary #greendesign #textiletalks #learnsustainability #booksforchange #journelling