The role of networks in supporting micro- and small-sized sustainable fashion businesses

Abstract

Micro- and small-sized sustainable fashion businesses benefit greatly from their formal and informal networks which provide a wide variety of support and services. This exploratory study reports on the findings of a UK-based research project that investigated 27 firms in this category. We focus on four case studies comprising two designers running their own labels and two product developers who support other designers. Our analysis maps the networks of these micro- and small-sized sustainable fashion businesses. Taking an approach informed by actor-network theory (ANT), we describe human, organizational, and social media actors in formal and informal networks. We show how networks are formed and extended through supply-chain relationships, professional networks, and the serendipity of personal and online contacts. Focusing on informal networks, the article also discusses the models of working and the role that geographical (or physical) and cognitive proximity plays. The networks of sustainable businesses particularly depend on trust and shared values and help designers to understand and increase their sustainable practices.

Keywords:

• Sustainable fashion businesses
• networks
• collaboration

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all the designers who contributed their time, enthusiasm, and creativity to the project. Our particular thanks go to our case-study companies, Sabinna Rachimova from Sabinna, Ismay Mummery from BoyWonder, Fazane Fox from Fazane Fox, Florie Struthers from Love White Rabbit and her collaborator, Claire Shell, from Pin Curls Vintage (PCV).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 See case studies at Fostering Sustainable Practices (http://www.sustainable-fashion.com).

2 See https://www.fashion-district.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/East-London-Fashion-Cluster-Draft-and-Strategy-Plan.pdf.

3 This initiative was founded in 2017 to support the regeneration of the creative fashion industry in East London and supported by the London College of Fashion (University of the Arts London) and five London boroughs. See https://www.fashion-district.co.uk.

4 See https://www.sabinna.com/ryot-studio-x-fia-x-sabinna.

Additional information

Funding

The Rethinking Fashion Design Entrepreneurship: Fostering Sustainable Practices (FSP) project was funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council, grant reference AH/R006768/1 2018-21, and carried out by the London College of Fashion (UAL), Middlesex University, and the Open University.