Sustainability and Inclusivity at San Francisco Fashion Community Week

San Francisco’s Fashion Community Week (FCW), founded by Shirin Hashem, a marketing and fashion expert with deep ties to French design, including her work with icons like Christian Audigier, unfolded from March 20-22 with a bold focus on sustainability and inclusivity in fashion.

Now in its 10th year, FCW is making waves in the fashion industry by amplifying the voices of minority and emerging designers from underrepresented countries and promoting more sustainable practices in the industry.

Recently recognized by Forbes magazine for her contribution to a more sustainable and inclusive fashion, Shirin Hashem describes Fashion Community Week as “the global intersection of sustainable and emerging fashion in San Francisco.”

The Spring edition of FCW featured a thought-provoking panel on the “Future of Fashion,” diving into the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and cutting-edge technology, and a stunning fashion show showcasing a fresh wave of talent and diverse perspectives in the fashion industry.

The Future of Fashion through a Sustainable Lens

The “Future of Fashion” panel moderated by Dr. Connie Ulasewicz brought together industry leaders and founders committed to transforming fashion through innovation and sustainability including Jake Disraeli (Treet), Yulia Raquel (Pattern Fast), Maximilian Bock (Eekual), Kate Fisher (Fisher Co.) and Shirin Hashem (Fashion Community Week).

The environmental impact of fashion is staggering. The industry is the second-largest consumer of water and accounts for roughly 10% of global carbon emissions—more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined*. Additionally, nearly 60% of the materials used in fashion are plastic-based, while less than 1% of textiles are recycled into new clothing**.

With these alarming numbers in mind, the panelists emphasized the urgent need for change and discussed building more sustainable supply chains, expanding resale and circular fashion models, leveraging AI for personalized and waste-conscious production, and implementing stronger regulations. 

At the core of the conversation was a shared vision: a fashion industry that is not only more efficient but also ethically and environmentally responsible.

Driving sustainability in fashion through AI and Technology

The panels explored the role of AI and technology in advancing sustainable fashion with innovative solutions designed to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

Jake Disraeli from Treet emphasized the growing importance of resale in creating a circular fashion economy. His company collaborates with over 250 brands to integrate resale platforms, enabling customers to buy and sell pre-owned fashion directly through brand websites. By facilitating peer-to-peer resale, trade-in programs, and solutions for unsold returns, these platforms help extend the lifecycle of garments while minimizing waste. Disraeli highlighted the urgency of such solutions, noting that an estimated 10-30% of returned items never make it back into circulation.

Yuliya Raquel from PatternFast discussed how technology can accelerate and refine the fashion design process. Unlike traditional 3D modeling or CAD tools, PatternFast’s system streamlines the transition from concept to production, allowing designers to launch collections in a fraction of the time. This efficiency not only conserves resources such as fabric and paper but also reduces overall material waste, aligning with sustainable fashion practices.

Maximilian Bock of Eekual explored the potential of AI-driven, on-demand fashion. His company’s technology enables garments to be tailored to an individual’s body shape and preferences, significantly cutting down on waste from mass production and returns. Initially focusing on footwear and now expanding into apparel, Eekual aims to establish a scalable model for personalized fashion with faster production cycles.

Sustainable Supply Chains and Policy as Key Drivers

The fashion industry’s sustainability challenges extend beyond materials to sourcing, production, transportation and waste reduction. Experts highlighted the environmental impact of global supply chains, noting that garments often travel across multiple countries before reaching consumers, accumulating significant carbon costs. 

Dr. Connie Ulasewicz frequently asks herself and her students this question: “Where in the world am I wearing?”—a reminder of the far-reaching implications of fashion’s supply networks.

Sourcing eco-friendly fabrics, collaborating with ethical manufacturers, and repurposing materials to keep textiles out of landfills were brought up as effective solutions. However, for these sustainability initiatives to gain widespread traction, they must also align with profitability.

The discussion also explored the role of policy in driving sustainable change. Kate Fisher, founder of Kate Fisher Co., and Dr. Connie Ulasewicz of CBU Productions examined how legislation can reinforce corporate responsibility. Fisher, an expert in sustainable fabric innovation, works with brands to develop eco-conscious supply chains. Ulasewicz highlighted SP707, a landmark California law requiring brands generating over $1 million in annual clothing sales to take responsibility for their products’ full lifecycle—including reuse, recycling, and disposal. Set to take effect in 2028, the legislation represents a significant step toward greater accountability in fashion sustainability.

The Cost of Sustainable Fashion

Experts agreed that one of the biggest challenges in sustainable fashion is affordability. While advancements in AI and ethical production are making strides, many sustainable brands struggle to compete with the low prices of fast fashion. 

The use of eco-friendly materials, fair labor practices, and small-batch production often drives up costs, making sustainable options less accessible to a wider audience. 

Panelists highlighted the need for scalable solutions—such as AI-driven efficiencies and resale platforms—to help close this gap and make responsible fashion more attainable for all consumers.

FCW, a launchpad for emerging designers

Fashion Community Week also reinforced its dedication to inclusivity by providing a global stage for emerging designers from underrepresented countries. 

Its March 22 One-of-A-Kind Fashion Show brought 8 designers to the spotlight: Bernard Burns (California), Viktoria Marchev (Hungary and New York), Mirjana Berbatovic (Serbia), Yiwei Wang (China), Shiva Soltani (Iran and Turkey), Smaranika Sarangi (USA), Anshula Dixit (India), and Joanna Jia (China).

“At Fashion Community Week, we believe in fashion for good and changing the face of fashion to create a more sustainable, inclusive and unifying fashion industry for fashion designers and beauty talents of all backgrounds, origins, and aesthetics. We stand by the belief that, Fashion has no borders” said Shirin Hashem.

By spotlighting diverse talent from regions often overlooked in mainstream fashion, the event acts as a true catalyst for cultural representation and innovation. 

Through its commitment to sustainability and inclusivity, Fashion Community Week continues to challenge industry norms and create opportunities for a more equitable and responsible fashion future.

 

Sources:

*UN Environment Programme
**Geneva Environment Network