The intersection of technology & sustainability is transforming the global fashion industry, and Ireland’s emerging fashion & textile scene is no exception. As sustainability & innovation become essential to future growth, the Fair Fashion project is working to help ensure that Irish (& European) educators, entrepreneurs, & creatives are equipped to thrive in this new digital era.
Driving Change in Ireland’s Fashion Landscape
The Irish fashion & textile sector is undergoing a profound shift. The Irish government’s policy page on the circular economy states that the textiles ecosystem is a priority material stream, and mentions the shift away from the “linear (take-make-waste) model” of production and consumption in textiles. So, what was driven largely by small-scale, craft-based production, the sector now faces the challenge of balancing heritage & innovation. Through Fair Fashion, Irish stakeholders gain access to European best practices that demonstrate how technology can advance sustainability, creativity, & inclusivity in design & production.
As highlighted in the project’s Good Practice Case Study Collection, digital tools are central to this transition. For instance, The Fabricant in the Netherlands showcases how entirely digital fashion processes, from design to marketing can eliminate the need for physical samples, drastically cutting waste & energy use. Their AI-powered design tools allow brands to visualise garments digitally, reducing carbon emissions while enhancing creative freedom.
This forward-thinking approach provides a roadmap for Irish designers & SMEs aiming to integrate sustainability into their business models without compromising creativity or competitiveness.
Transparency, Circularity & Consumer Trust
Irish consumers are increasingly conscious of ethical production, making digital traceability a key factor in building trust. The Danish brand KnowledgeCotton Apparel, also featured in the Fair Fashion collection, uses blockchain-based digital passports to document a garment’s journey from cotton seed to customer. Similar technology could empower Irish brands to showcase supply chain transparency, aligning with the EU’s upcoming Digital Product Passport regulations, which will soon apply to all textile products sold within the EU.
For Ireland’s growing number of sustainable designers & fashion entrepreneurs, adopting these tools early offers a competitive advantage in both domestic & export markets.
Education & the Twin Transition
One of the Fair Fashion project’s main goals is to empower educators to integrate digitalisation & sustainability into fashion curricula. This focus on the twin transition; digital & green, is crucial for Ireland’s education & innovation ecosystem.
Companies like Orhun AI Labs – Optimimax, featured in the project, show how AI tools have multiple benefits, including predicting environmental impacts during the design phase, helping brands make smarter, data-driven sustainability decisions. As Irish institutions increasingly invest in creative technologies & design innovation, such insights provide valuable frameworks for embedding sustainability into both teaching & practice.
Repair, Resale & the Circular Economy in Ireland
Ireland’s circular economy goals are gaining momentum, supported by initiatives like the Circular Economy Act 2022 and the Textiles Advisory Group. Platforms such as MENDED in the Netherlands demonstrate how digital repair services can integrate into brand platforms, extending product lifespans while generating new business opportunities. This concept aligns perfectly with Irish efforts to reduce textile waste, currently one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the country.
By making repair options as seamless as online shopping, start-ups inspired by models like MENDED could play a key role in Ireland’s transition toward circular fashion consumption.
A Future of Sustainable Growth
According to the Global Fashion Agenda’s 2024 Fashion CEO Report, widespread adoption of technologies such as AI, blockchain, 3D design, & digital sampling could reduce the industry’s global carbon footprint by up to 30% by 2030. For Ireland, embracing this digital transformation means more than environmental responsibility it represents innovation, competitiveness, & the chance to position Irish fashion as a European leader in sustainable creativity.
The Fair Fashion project underscores that technology is not merely supporting sustainability — it is defining it. By connecting Irish educators, designers, & entrepreneurs to cutting-edge European practices, it ensures that Ireland’s fashion & textile industry continues to evolve — responsibly, inclusively & creatively.
