Introduction: The Problem With Endless Growth
For years, we’ve been told that economic growth equals progress. More production, more sales, more profits—this is the formula for success in most industries. And nowhere is this mindset more obvious than in fashion.
The fashion industry is built on constant expansion, churning out billions of garments each year. Trends change faster than ever, and brands push consumers to buy more, wear less, and move on. But here’s the problem:
We are producing more clothes than we can wear. Many garments are discarded after just a few uses.
We are wasting resources at an unsustainable rate. Fashion is one of the biggest polluters, using enormous amounts of water, energy, and raw materials.
Workers are being exploited. Many brands rely on cheap labor and unsafe conditions to keep up with demand.
So, what if growth isn’t the answer?
In the paper, Prosperity Without Growth, economist Tim Jackson challenges the idea that success should be measured by endless expansion. Instead, he suggests that prosperity should be about quality, sustainability, and well-being—not just making and selling more stuff.
If that’s the case, how can the fashion industry evolve? How can brands and consumers step away from the buy, wear, throw away cycle and move toward something better?
The Growth Dilemma in Fashion
More Clothes, More Problems
Let’s take a moment to look at the numbers:
• Every year, over 100 billion garments are produced worldwide.
• 92 million tons of textile waste end up in landfills or incinerators annually.
• The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions—more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.
Fast fashion has made clothing cheaper and more accessible, but at what cost? The industry thrives on overproduction, pushing out new styles every week, often made from low-quality materials that fall apart quickly. This cycle drives waste, pollution, and exploitation—all in the name of growth.
But here’s the truth: this system isn’t sustainable.
Fashion doesn’t have to be about more—it can be about better. More mindful choices. Higher quality. Longer-lasting pieces. A supply chain that respects both people and the planet.
Rethinking Prosperity in Fashion
Jackson’s ideas aren’t about stopping progress; they’re about redefining what success looks like. In the fashion industry, this means shifting focus from profit-driven growth to purpose-driven sustainability.
Here’s how that could happen:
1. Make Fashion Circular, Not Disposable
Instead of producing, consuming, and discarding, what if fashion worked in a closed loop?
A circular economy keeps materials in use for as long as possible, reducing waste and environmental impact. That means:
• Designing clothes that last longer.
• Repairing, reselling, and renting instead of constantly buying new.
• Recycling old textiles into new garments instead of throwing them away.
Some brands are already adopting recycling programs and second-hand initiatives, giving clothes a new life instead of sending them to the landfill. Imagine a world where every item of clothing had a story that continued beyond a single owner.
2. Make the Supply Chain More Transparent
One of fashion’s biggest problems is lack of visibility. Many brands don’t know where their fabrics come from or how their garments are made. As a result, unethical practices go unchecked, from sweatshops to environmental destruction.
Consumers are demanding more transparency—they want to know:
• Who made their clothes?
• Where did the materials come from?
• What impact did the production process have on the environment?
By making supply chains more traceable, brands can prove their commitment to sustainability. Imagine scanning a tag and seeing the journey of your garment—from raw materials to final production. That’s not just good for ethics; it builds trust.
3. Move From Mass Production to Meaningful Creation
Not every piece of clothing should be mass-produced. Some of the most beautiful, high-quality garments are made by skilled artisans, using traditional techniques that have been passed down for generations.
But mass production and fast fashion have put these crafts at risk. Many artisans struggle to compete with cheap, machine-made alternatives.
What if, instead of valuing speed and quantity, we celebrated craftsmanship, authenticity, and heritage? Buying handmade, ethically sourced clothing supports artisans, local economies, and cultural traditions.
When we slow down and appreciate the work behind what we wear, we start to see fashion differently—not just as something to consume, but as something to treasure.
4. Make Technology Work for Sustainability, Not Just Sales
Technology has played a huge role in fueling fast fashion—automated production, data-driven trend forecasting, and ultra-efficient logistics have made it easier than ever to produce and sell at massive scales.
But what if technology was used to slow things down instead of speed them up?
What if brands used smart tracking systems to ensure fair labor practices and ethical sourcing?
What if textiles could be digitally identified and sorted for better recycling?
What if products had unique digital passports, so consumers could check their authenticity and environmental impact?
The same tools that helped fast fashion explode could be repurposed to make fashion more responsible, transparent, and sustainable.
The Future of Fashion: Beyond Growth, Toward Sustainability
The fashion industry is at a crossroads. It can continue chasing profit at the expense of the planet—or it can evolve into something more ethical, conscious, and sustainable.
Tim Jackson’s Prosperity Without Growth reminds us that we don’t need endless expansion to thrive. True prosperity isn’t about making more—it’s about making better choices.
For fashion, that means:
✔ Moving from disposable to durable
✔ Choosing quality over quantity
✔ Valuing craftsmanship and sustainability over speed
✔ Using technology for transparency and accountability
Change won’t happen overnight, but the shift has already begun. Many brands are rethinking their approach—reducing waste, embracing circular models, and improving supply chain ethics. Consumers, too, are making more conscious purchasing decisions, looking for brands that align with their values.
And behind the scenes, innovative solutions are making it easier for companies to track materials, protect authenticity, and ensure sustainability at every step of the supply chain.
Where KOSHA Comes In
At the heart of this transformation are technologies that support traceability, circularity, and transparency. That’s where KOSHA comes in.
KOSHA is helping brands by enabling ethical, transparent, and sustainable practices in fashion. With digital traceability, authentication, and smart recycling solutions, KOSHA empowers businesses to:
🌿 Ensure product authenticity and ethical sourcing
♻ Reduce waste and embrace circularity
👁 Give consumers full visibility into their products
The future of fashion isn’t about producing more—it’s about producing better. And with the right tools, that future is within reach.
Let’s build a fashion industry that thrives without harming the planet—one that values craft, authenticity, and responsibility over endless growth.
What do you think? Can fashion truly move beyond its addiction to growth?
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