How Lectra Sees Technology's Role in Fashion’s Transition

By The Spin Off

Lectra, a global group that offers industrial intelligence solutions in sectors such as fashion, automotive and furniture, has recently established Lectra Observatory, an own division that analyses key current changes in the industry.

The group has just released its third white paper dedicated to the fashion industry’s sustainable transformation, entitled “Sustainable Fashion: What Strategies and Technologies?”

According to the study, 100 billion garments are sold worldwide each year. While global production has doubled between 2000 and 2014, and the life cycle of garments has shrunk by a third, a waste that generates a high rate of pollution. They estimate that fashion is actually responsible for 10% of greenhouse gas emissions.

To meet social, environmental and economic challenges, this industry must transform itself and reduce waste, improve material traceability and optimize product marketing while limiting unsold inventory.

A panel of international fashion specialists and experts contributed opinions and experiences to open a discussion on the market and its challenges, but also to shed light on the new possibilities offered by technology.

The members involved in the panel are Scot Case, vice-president of CSR and sustainability at the U.S. National Retail Federation (NRF); Adeline Dargent, general delegate of the Syndicat de Paris de la Mode Féminine; Kate Fletcher, professor at the Royal Danish Academy and OsloMet in Norway; Stephen Russell, professor at the University of Leeds; and fashion designer Marina Spadafora, a consultant for sustainable development in fashion.

Maximilien Abadie, chief strategy officer and chief product officer, and Anne Borfiga, general secretary, members of the Lectra Group Executive Committee, also contributed to the white paper by sharing their vision.

The paper estimates that the ethical and sustainable fashion industry could reach a value of €10.45 billion by 2027, while it was €7.68 billion in 2023, up 8% over 2022.

It also tried to recognize what are the main challenges for brands in the environmental, social, and economic spheres by pointing out controversial issues like, for example, how Gen Z, while interested in buying sustainable fashion fails to buy it systematically because it is still too expensive.

Though, there are technical solutions that can help manage to reduce costs by focusing on minimalist design solutions or reducing the quantities produced. However, there is still no formula that can solve this dichotomy. 

The study also presents some most widespread existing fashion business models and the shortcomings of each by comparing fast fashion and ultra fashion with mid-range brands, luxury brands, and responsible brands.

The observatory recognizes how some technological solutions can facilitate the transition toward more sustainable approaches while, at the same time, supporting profitability and growth.

Among them, it recognizes tools to track the life of products, save resources, design garments virtually, allow each company to become compliant with new European regulations, control production efficiency (avoiding surpluses and unsold items), and plan the entire production process from raw material supply up to collection delivery.

“The fashion industry is facing major changes. Consumers are increasingly inclined to buy ethical and sustainable products, while brands are subject to many complex environmental regulations, particularly regarding traceability,” explains Maria Modroño, chief marketing & communications officer, Lectra.

“With this white paper, we wanted to provide an overview of the main challenges facing the fashion industry today, understand the business strategies brands are adopting to meet these challenges, and identify technology solutions that can reconcile sustainability, responsibility, profitability and growth,” she added.

Lectra was founded in 1973, employs 3,000 people and ended 2023 reporting revenues of €478 million.

This article was published in The Spin Off October 2, 2024. Lectra is a member of SPESA.

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