Cache Flow #18: Fashion News Roundup
March 29-April 4: This Week in Fashion x Tech x Resale News
In this weekly series, we feature a roundup of the latest news in fashion x tech x resale.
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launched the "All Things Fashion Tech" magazine dedicated to the intersection of fashion and technology: The magazine is an off-shoot of her popular Substack,
, and features the latest news, in-depth articles, and insights into innovative companies. The platform also includes a comprehensive database of over 400 fashion tech companies.
Recent research by charity retailer Traid reveals a significant rise in second-hand fashion adoption, particularly among young consumers: Over 80% (!!!) of 18-34 year-olds are reportedly now wearing pre-owned clothing. This trend is primarily driven by affordability, with 63% citing it as their main motivation, while ethical concerns, such as poor working conditions, influence 95% of those aware of fashion industry issues. Younger shoppers are more inclined to purchase second-hand items monthly, spending around £50, and often utilize online platforms, whereas older demographics prefer in-store shopping with lower spending. Despite the growth of online resale platforms, charity shops maintain a strong presence, attracting 54% of second-hand shoppers.
​​Orme, a fashion technology startup, has introduced a new platform that enables brands to create shoppable Instagram Reels: The product aims to enhance social commerce by allowing consumers to purchase products directly through engaging video content. By integrating e-commerce functionalities into Instagram's popular short-form videos, Orme seeks to streamline the shopping experience and help brands capitalize on the platform's vast user engagement.
President Donald Trump's recent tariff increases have significantly disrupted the fashion industry's supply chain: These measures have raised the average U.S. import tariff rate on apparel from 14.5% in 2024 to 30.6%, leading to higher costs for brands and consumers. The removal of the $800 de minimis exemption for low-value Chinese imports further impacts fast-fashion retailers like Shein and Temu, which relied on this provision to offer competitively priced products. Industry stakeholders express concern that these tariffs will lead to increased consumer prices and compel companies to reevaluate and potentially restructure their global sourcing strategies.
Fairly Made, a Paris-based fashion traceability platform, has raised €15 million ($16.2 million) in a Series A funding round led by impact-driven investors: The platform helps fashion brands like LVMH, Balmain, and SMCP track and analyze the environmental and social impact of their supply chains, offering greater transparency from raw materials to finished products. With the new funding, Fairly Made plans to scale its technology, expand internationally, and support fashion companies in meeting growing regulatory and consumer demands for sustainability.
Major fashion brands are giving ​up on rental as a business model: In recent years, several major fashion brands, including Banana Republic, have launched clothing rental services to tap into the growing "clothing as a service" market. Banana Republic's "Style Passport" allows subscribers to rent women's apparel for a monthly fee, offering unlimited exchanges and the option to purchase items. These initiatives aim to attract new customers, particularly younger demographics, and provide an alternative to traditional purchasing models. However, the success of such services depends on factors like customer retention, effective inventory management, and the ability to offer perceived value to subscribers. ​
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With love and hot girl energy,
Cache 💚
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