Fast fashion during the pandemic

The pandemic has brought issues of sustainability within the fashion industry into sharp focus, both from an environmental and social perspective. It is likely the virus could accelerate trends already underway to buy fewer items, re-wear, re-sell and rent clothes, as well as bring production closer to home.

But as economies start to reopen around the world, will this new approach to fashion be maintained? And if it is, what does this mean for investors?

In this episode of Amplified, Eoin Murray, Head of Investment at the international business of Federated Hermes, is joined by his colleagues and external guests to talk about the issue of sustainable fashion during the pandemic.

• Mike Barry, board member of A Blueprint for a Better Business, who discusses the new approaches to consumption that could drive change in the fashion industry.
• Kate Larsen, director at SupplyESChange, who shares her thoughts on how the pandemic could encourage clothes production to be brought closer to home.
• Lisa Lange, engager at EOS at Federated Hermes, who details how companies can set targets and reporting standards for sustainable production.
• Martin Todd, co-portfolio manager at Federated Hermes, who explores the sustainable fashion opportunity for investors.

“When we talk about consumer awareness of the environment and responsible consumption, it’s going to cause huge disruption to the industry” says Todd. “As active investors, [this] is what we like to see, because it will create winners and losers”.

What lies ahead for the fashion industry? To find out, tune into Amplified.

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