Latest news with #H&MGroup
Fashion Network
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Weekday kicks off its multi-brand platform with new campaign
Marketplaces are hot right now and the latest to jump in is H&M Group's Weekday, which has 'officially transform[ed] into a creative multi-space destination". That doesn't mean it's transforming into a destination buy tens or even hundreds of labels as is the case with many marketplaces. Instead, it's "welcoming Monki under its roof alongside Cheap Monday, exclusive drops, secondhand, and more'. The company said that 'together, these culture-driven brands will continue to evolve with the now and embrace the many true expressions of youth – all day, every day'. It also pointed out that 'each brand keeps its own distinct identity while creating synergies for the creative generation'. And while the onlinee channel will be key for many of its shoppers, there's also a physical element with its first multi-brand store already open in Stockholm (Götgatan). Next will come Hamburg (Mönckebergstrasse), Vienna (Mariahilfer Strasse), Paris (Rue de Rivoli) and Aarhus (Guldsmedgade) that are set to follow later this year as 'the first steps in expanding the experience into physical spaces, with more to come'. The marketplace move also comes with a launch campaign, Everything Now — Leave Nothing Unexpressed. The brand said it 'marks the beginning of Weekday's new chapter, showcasing that everything you need to express yourself is right here'. It's a 'celebration of youth culture in motion' and shines a light on 'those who live life to the fullest and see every day as a canvas, stage or moment to express who they are'. Weekday aims to be 'their platform for switching moods, trying on new identities, playing with aesthetics and feeling totally free'. And beyond mere clothes, it also aims to 'bring creative energy to life'. Fronting the campaign are Weekday muses Raya Martigny, Jolagreen23, Lennon Gallagher, Rose Gray and Tess McMillan. The retailer said that 'each of them blends Weekday, Monki and Cheap Monday into their own style language, intensifying the diverse expressions of all three brands. As artists, creators and cultural voices, they mirror a generation that never stops experimenting with style and self-expression, always in pursuit of what could be'. They've been photographed and directed by Richie Talboy, 'whose cinematic lens draws viewers into a layered, dynamic world where every frame tells a story within a story'.
Fashion Network
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Weekday kicks off its multi-brand platform with new campaign
Marketplaces are hot right now and the latest to jump in is H&M Group's Weekday, which has 'officially transform[ed] into a creative multi-space destination". That doesn't mean it's transforming into a destination buy tens or even hundreds of labels as is the case with many marketplaces. Instead, it's "welcoming Monki under its roof alongside Cheap Monday, exclusive drops, secondhand, and more'. The company said that 'together, these culture-driven brands will continue to evolve with the now and embrace the many true expressions of youth – all day, every day'. It also pointed out that 'each brand keeps its own distinct identity while creating synergies for the creative generation'. And while the onlinee channel will be key for many of its shoppers, there's also a physical element with its first multi-brand store already open in Stockholm (Götgatan). Next will come Hamburg (Mönckebergstrasse), Vienna (Mariahilfer Strasse), Paris (Rue de Rivoli) and Aarhus (Guldsmedgade) that are set to follow later this year as 'the first steps in expanding the experience into physical spaces, with more to come'. The marketplace move also comes with a launch campaign, Everything Now — Leave Nothing Unexpressed. The brand said it 'marks the beginning of Weekday's new chapter, showcasing that everything you need to express yourself is right here'. It's a 'celebration of youth culture in motion' and shines a light on 'those who live life to the fullest and see every day as a canvas, stage or moment to express who they are'. Weekday aims to be 'their platform for switching moods, trying on new identities, playing with aesthetics and feeling totally free'. And beyond mere clothes, it also aims to 'bring creative energy to life'. Fronting the campaign are Weekday muses Raya Martigny, Jolagreen23, Lennon Gallagher, Rose Gray and Tess McMillan. The retailer said that 'each of them blends Weekday, Monki and Cheap Monday into their own style language, intensifying the diverse expressions of all three brands. As artists, creators and cultural voices, they mirror a generation that never stops experimenting with style and self-expression, always in pursuit of what could be'. They've been photographed and directed by Richie Talboy, 'whose cinematic lens draws viewers into a layered, dynamic world where every frame tells a story within a story'.
Fashion Network
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Weekday kicks off its multi-brand platform with new campaign
Marketplaces are hot right now and the latest to jump in is H&M Group's Weekday, which has 'officially transform[ed] into a creative multi-space destination". That doesn't mean it's transforming into a destination buy tens or even hundreds of labels as is the case with many marketplaces. Instead, it's "welcoming Monki under its roof alongside Cheap Monday, exclusive drops, secondhand, and more'. The company said that 'together, these culture-driven brands will continue to evolve with the now and embrace the many true expressions of youth – all day, every day'. It also pointed out that 'each brand keeps its own distinct identity while creating synergies for the creative generation'. And while the onlinee channel will be key for many of its shoppers, there's also a physical element with its first multi-brand store already open in Stockholm (Götgatan). Next will come Hamburg (Mönckebergstrasse), Vienna (Mariahilfer Strasse), Paris (Rue de Rivoli) and Aarhus (Guldsmedgade) that are set to follow later this year as 'the first steps in expanding the experience into physical spaces, with more to come'. The marketplace move also comes with a launch campaign, Everything Now — Leave Nothing Unexpressed. The brand said it 'marks the beginning of Weekday's new chapter, showcasing that everything you need to express yourself is right here'. It's a 'celebration of youth culture in motion' and shines a light on 'those who live life to the fullest and see every day as a canvas, stage or moment to express who they are'. Weekday aims to be 'their platform for switching moods, trying on new identities, playing with aesthetics and feeling totally free'. And beyond mere clothes, it also aims to 'bring creative energy to life'. Fronting the campaign are Weekday muses Raya Martigny, Jolagreen23, Lennon Gallagher, Rose Gray and Tess McMillan. The retailer said that 'each of them blends Weekday, Monki and Cheap Monday into their own style language, intensifying the diverse expressions of all three brands. As artists, creators and cultural voices, they mirror a generation that never stops experimenting with style and self-expression, always in pursuit of what could be'. They've been photographed and directed by Richie Talboy, 'whose cinematic lens draws viewers into a layered, dynamic world where every frame tells a story within a story'.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
H&M Foundation's 10 Global Change Award Winners Have One Thing in Common
When H&M Foundation kicked off the Global Change Award in 2015, it was with the goal of sussing out ideas that could nudge the fashion industry in a more sustainable direction. Ten years, 56 innovations and 10 million euros ($11 million) in cash later, its mission has crystallized to tackling one specific challenge—climate change—but with what it says is a double-headed people and planet approach. 'We often see the holistic perspective being overlooked, resulting in well-meaning solutions that either create new problems or leave people behind,' said Annie Lindmark, program director at the philanthropic organization, which is funded by H&M Group's founding family, the Perssons. More from Sourcing Journal Greta Thunberg Leads Protest at Maersk Over Emissions, Israel Ties Climate-Beneficial Fibers Were Gaining Traction. Then Trump Happened. Fashion's Decarbonization Delays Also a Dollar Short On Tuesday, H&M Foundation announced what it described as 10 'bold ideas' to decarbonize fashion across four areas: responsible production, sustainable materials and processes, mindful consumption and the intriguingly named 'wildcards,' which covers 'cross-cutting ideas we haven't even thought of yet that can spark transformation across the system,' she said. Hailing from H&M Foundation's native Sweden, China, Bangladesh, Germany, India, the United Kingdom and Ghana, the winners include an industrial heat pump that can slash energy consumption by two-thirds, a metal-free RFID clothing tag, a biodegradable cyanobacteria-based dye and a technology platform that connects people with designers who can upcycle their castoffs into one-of-a-kind looks. That the organization focuses on early-stage startups is on purpose. While innovation at every level of maturity is vital to moving the needle, Lindmark said, there remains 'very limited' support available for entrepreneurs embarking on their journey, even those in the so-called 'tinker window.' 'We're a philanthropy,' she said. 'So we also feel that we're uniquely positioned to absorb risk, and that allows us to support that refining, testing, packaging, prototyping phase of the ideas. Neither H&M Foundation nor our partners take any equity or intellectual property rights in the winning innovations. Innovators can collaborate with whoever they want, and the aim is really to find innovations that allow major change for the entire industry.' It's also not the ideas themselves, but rather the 'changemakers' behind them that the Global Change Award seeks to spotlight. Impact, Lindmark said, can come in 'many forms and shapes,' meaning that the best ideas aren't the sole reserve of entrepreneur-inventors in the conventional mold. 'That's why we also think that it's important to take a quite broad scope when we find our winners,' she said. 'So we don't only support winners that are innovators and entrepreneurs, but also the ones who identify themselves, perhaps more as researchers or systems thinkers, they might be running a nonprofit and so on. But of course, also the ones that are thinking more of that startup dream.' Judges ran submissions through four main criteria before reaching what Lindmark calls the 'drumroll moment': how well the the innovation supports one of its categories, plus decarbonization; the changemaker's vision, meaning the 'person behind the mindset'; the innovation's readiness to develop and scale; and the concept's uniqueness. Each winner will receive a 200,000-euro ($225,000) grant and entry into the yearlong GCA Changemaker Programme. Helmed by Youbing Mu, Xiaobo Wan and Shuang Su, DecoRpet fills a 'critical gap' in purifying and decolorizing polyester from mixed textile waste by using a low-temperature process strip nearly all dyes and impurities, delivering a 99.9 percent pure material for high-quality recycling, Lindmark said. 'It is a smarter, cleaner way to recycle polyester at scale,' she added. 'It supports the industry's move to using more textile-to-textile recycled materials. It addresses the challenges of recycling mixed-composition fabrics, transforming them into high-quality new materials, and it cuts energy usage in the recycling process by around 30 percent.' The 'dynamic duo' of James Parkin and Chris Benson has a vision to replace steam boilers everywhere with a standardized, low-cost system that is not only possible, but 'for the first time, practical,' Lindmark said. 'We know from the industry that steam is essential to nearly every stage of garment production, but most systems still rely on fossil fuel boilers that waste energy and drive missions,' she said. 'The innovation replaces outdated gas and oil boilers with high-performance heat pumps that run on electricity, not fossil fuels. And the result of this is a cleaner, more efficient steam system that can cut energy use by over 75 percent, also helping decarbonize one of the industry's biggest emission sources.' Chloe So and Barna Soma Biro, who met during their graduate studies in innovation and design, were shocked to realize how much e-waste is generated from something as small as a clothing tag. Pulpatronics' version of the RFID tag is metal-free, chip-less and laser-printed on paper using a carbon-based conductive material, making it cheaper to produce and recyclable or compostable at the end of its life, Lindmark said. It also eliminates the need for metal mining. 'What really caught our eye with Pulpatronics is that it preserves resources, reduces e-waste and lessens environmental damage,' she added. 'It tackles the problem of single-use electronics while reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions.' CircularFabrics, the brainchild of Josephine Mayer, Miguel Chacon-Teran and Ruben Serrano, seeks to tackle the growing problem of textile waste. They developed NyLoop, a technology that can be placed on-site through portable units, that recovers high-quality nylon from blended post-consumer textiles without breaking it down. 'And this creates a fully recyclable new nylon supply that meets industry standards for durability while reducing the need for virgin materials and supporting a more circular system,' Lindmark said. 'It is in many ways a game-changing step, especially since most nylon garments, particularly blends, still end up in the landfill, locked out of the recycling and loaded with untapped value.' Founded by Chandni Batra, A Blunt Story's plastic-free sole, dubbed Uncrude, comprises agricultural waste, plant-based materials and recycled components that won't leave behind microplastic waste. But it also supports a more inclusive value chain that benefits farmers, workers and consumers by 'really putting the people on the planet at its core,' Lindmark said. 'The differentiation is that by monetizing agricultural byproducts, revenue streams for farmers are created, and that reduces the reliance on environmentally harmful practices of burning waste.' Mohammad Redwanur Rahman's Brilliant Dyes harnesses cyanobacteria—photosynthetic microscopic organisms better known as blue-green algae—to power the production of biodegradable, non-toxic dyes through a low-energy extraction process that is scalable, efficient and cost-effective. 'It is a closed extraction process that enables zero-solvent waste,' Lindmark said. 'It has the potential to cut the carbon footprint of synthetics in the indigo dye sector by around 50 percent and it addresses the skin diseases caused by environmental pollution from dyes. So once again, also really putting the people on the planet in the focus.' Mohammad Abbas Uddin told H&M Foundation that his work was 'completely personal' because he has witnessed firsthand the effects of unsustainable textile production in his homeland of Bangladesh. Decarbonization Lab is a dedicated R&D space that develops low-emission techniques in textile treatments and dyeing with the 'goal of modernizing outdated industry practices,' Lindmark said. 'By bridging research and real-world applications, the lab would provide practical tools, key studies for both industry and education, focusing on low-cost, low-impact process innovation. And it is going to support measurable improvements in water use, energy efficiency and sustainable production.' Led by Jade A. Bouledjouidja, Renasens has created a technology that can recycle blended textile waste into new material inputs, such as polyester and cellulose, without depolymerization, toxic chemicals, high energy use or even water. 'This process turns waste into a circular resource, while helping mitigate pollution,' Lindmark said. 'We see that it's a step forward to a future where waste is no longer discarded but designed to be reused. And the main differentiator we see here is that it enables the dissolving of the cellulose polymer while keeping the polyester fiber intact. And it also limits microplastic release, which we know is a huge problem.' After a decade working in fashion, Daisy Harvey was exhausted and disillusioned. So she developed Loom, a technology platform that connects people with designers who can transform the clothes lurking in the back of people's closets into bespoke pieces they'd want to flaunt. 'By making upcycling easy, personal and accessible, it helps extend the life of clothing and reduce the impact of overproduction,' Lindmark said. 'It also has the potential to help brands reduce losses from overstock or returns by upcycling. What really stood out with Loom for us was that it enables the circular economy. It is relatable technology that can be easily adapted by the mainstream, and it really has the potential to divert the landfilling of textile waste through upcycling instead of discarding.' Growing up in Ghana, Yayra Agbofah saw how the deluge of low-quality secondhand imports overwhelms communities such as Kantamanto Market. This isn't just an environmental issue, he said, but one involving dignity, health and livelihoods. 'The Revival Circularity Hub is a creative hub in Accra that transforms textile waste into value through upcycling, repair and design,' Lindmark said. 'It is very much rooted in the community, and the lab equips local artisans with tools and skills to reimagine art and materials, turning unsellable garments into new products and opportunities. It is a community-driven approach that can repurpose textile waste from home furnishing, industrial materials, packaging solutions and construction materials.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bestseller Wants Higher Wages for Myanmar's Garment Workers. Activists Call Foul.
A garment workers' union in Myanmar has called into question Bestseller's support for increased minimum wages in the disaster-ravaged Southeast Asian nation, citing complaints of rights abuses, including those alleging wage theft, unfair dismissal and a refusal to pay for medical treatment for workplace injuries, that have emerged from the Danish retailer's suppliers in recent months. They add to a list of allegations logged by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre—many of which involve multiple workers—that have grown to 665 since Feb. 1, 2021, the day the military violently seized power from the semi-civilian government. Bestseller aside, the offending factories are linked with familiar names such as Adidas, H&M Group and Zara owner Inditex despite their commitment to enhanced due diligence in the face of continual attacks on freedom of association and collective bargaining, including the outlawing of most unions and the persecution of their members. More from Sourcing Journal Trump's Policies Are Roiling Africa's Garment and Textiles Industry USTR Says 'Unfair' Trade Practices Are Undermining U.S. Apparel and Textiles Nike Relents on Thai Wage Theft Case, Albeit With 'Deficiencies' in Plan 'The workers' situation in their supplier factories is getting worse and worse,' said Khaing Zar Aung, the exiled president of the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar, or IWFM, of Bestseller and others. 'It shows that their due diligence implementation process is not effective.' Bestseller is among the few multinational brands that have committed to staying in Myanmar despite the seemingly insurmountable challenge of protecting the safety and rights of the people who make its clothes. It doesn't plan to immediately cut ties like Mango, Marks & Spencer and Tesco or phase out sourcing like H&M Group, Inditex and Lidl, because it said it would be able to minimize risk by engaging only with suppliers with which it has strong relationships and sufficient leverage. The Jack & Jones and Vero Moda owner has also argued that a complete withdrawal of trade by all Western companies would result in more people falling below the poverty line, creating nothing less than a humanitarian catastrophe. Last week, Bestseller echoed calls by the EuroCham Myanmar Garment Advocacy Group, a committee of the business interest organization, to review and update the country's daily minimum wage of 4,800 kyats ($2.28) for garment workers. Other than the addition of a potential 2,000 kyats (95 cents) in allowances, the base rate has remained unchanged since 2018, in direct conflict with inflation that surged to a high of nearly 29 percent during the 2023-2024 fiscal year. An 'inadequate' minimum wage that forces workers to rely on overtime and attendance bonuses to meet basic needs 'drives low wages, fueling workplace disputes, high turnover, labor migration and the loss of specialized skills, which ultimately undermines productivity gains achieved in recent years,' according to the EuroCham Myanmar group. Bestseller agreed, saying in a statement that it recognizes that while 'the majority' of factories in its supply chain have taken 'voluntary steps' to increase salaries, the lack of a statutory update continues to 'place pressure on workers' livelihoods across the industry.' 'Low wages are a systemic challenge that cannot be solved by one actor alone,' said Claus Aabling, the brand's labor rights manager. 'Therefore, we believe that speaking up is an important part of our responsibility as a sourcing brand. We support EuroCham Myanmar's call for a review of the minimum wage and recognize that an increase in the minimum wage is essential to promote fair working conditions and strengthen the overall resilience of the garment sector in Myanmar.' But while IWFM concurred in a statement of its own that low wages are pushing Myanmar's workers deeper into exploitation, it also asked how a wage adjustment, while 'commendable in principle,' could be realistically achieved 'under the current conditions of widespread repression and a collapsed rule of law.' Because the junta 'does not represent a credible or trustworthy partner in wage-setting processes,' it added, its actions have 'actively undermined the possibility of fair and peaceful labor dialogue.' The IndustriALL Global Union affiliate also asked why European buyers were waiting to act when they possessed the ability to raise wages voluntarily. Or, at the very least, ensure that all suppliers pay overtime based on the adjusted daily rate of 6,800 kyats. 'It is important to recall that when international garment investors, including those from Europe, first entered Myanmar, they agreed, in good faith, to voluntarily pay interim wages above market levels,' IWFM added. 'This historical precedent clearly shows that companies can act independently to improve wages without waiting for a government decree. Today, EuroCham and its members can do the same.' Khaing Zar Aung said that despite Bestseller's claim that its suppliers pay higher wages—the retailer, in a recent update, said monitoring over the past six months found that the general average daily salary has risen to 15,000-16,000 kyats ($7.14-$7.61)—such efforts still fall short of addressing the broader and more urgent labor rights violations allegedly taking place at its supplier factories. She pointed specifically to recent complaints from facilities owned by Dishang Fashion, where a worker was reportedly fired for trying to start a union and another said she was stiffed on a full month's wages after resigning for personal reasons. At GTIG Guohua Glory, a worker who sustained a head injury after falling from a factory truck in 2023 was still being denied medical coverage as of February, Khaing Zar Aung said. Neither Dishang Fashion nor GTIG Guohua Glory responded to requests for comment. Bestseller said that it takes IWFM's concerns seriously and shares the view that improving labor conditions in Myanmar requires 'sustained, on-the-ground engagement and robust due diligence.' While the retailer wasn't able to immediately investigate and respond to two of the allegations, a spokesperson said that GTIG Guohua Glory provided the injured worker with extended paid leave, along with compensation for ongoing medical treatment. The retailer also said it hoped that its previous transparency with the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre and in its due diligence reporting have shown its 'hands-on approach' to identifying and addressing risks relating to freedom of association, wage compliance and occupational health and safety. 'We recognize that the choice to stay in Myanmar comes with a responsibility: to act swiftly when concerns are raised, to investigate thoroughly, and to push for remediation where needed,' Bestseller said. 'We are actively involved in monitoring conditions in our supply chain, maintaining direct relationships with factories and workers, and we report transparently on these efforts.' Khaing Zar Aung said, however, that these weren't isolated incidents but ones that reflect structural issues that demand structural changes and 'genuine brand accountability.' Bestseller's oft-stated commitment to 'protect workers by remaining in Myanmar,' she added, must 'go beyond good intentions' by adopting zero tolerance for union-busting, wage theft and occupational health and safety negligence. Public commitments, too, must be underpinned by definitive timelines and enforceable stakes, Khaing Zar Aung added. 'Simply supporting a higher minimum wage, without ensuring that the foundational rights of workers are respected, protected, and enforced, risks being a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive intervention,' IWFM said. 'If brands choose to remain in Myanmar under the rationale of protecting workers from job loss, they must also take full responsibility for the working conditions and rights of those very workers. Anything less risks enabling exploitation under the guise of employment protection.'
