Building a circular economy in fashion and retail

The fashion and retail sectors shape global culture and consumer behaviour, yet both industries remain significant drivers of waste and resource depletion. This panel will explore how circular economy principles, innovation, and responsible business models can transform fashion and retail into systems that regenerate rather than exhaust resources. Industry specialists will discuss solutions such as large‑scale material recovery, redesigning supply chains for durability and reuse, and adopting transparent, ethical production practices. The session will highlight opportunities for retailers and brands to extend product lifecycles, reduce environmental impact, and build a more resilient, future‑ready circular economy.

Speakers:

Chair: Poli Pencheva - Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Circular Economy Fellow, UCL

Kaela Katz - Founder and Director, FibreLab

Natalie Binns - Sustainable Fashion Consultant, Better Fashion Consultancy 

Frida Lidbom - Sustainable Fashion Writer and Storyteller

Michaela Neto - Senior Carbon & Climate Manager, Unite Students