Elf, P.; Werner, A.

The (only) future of fashion? The role of small sustainable entrepreneurship in driving transformational change

Book chapter

Elf, P. and Werner, A. 2024. The (only) future of fashion? The role of small sustainable entrepreneurship in driving transformational change. in: Scott, K., Curtis, B. and Pajaczkowska, C. (ed.) The Future of Fashion Education: Speculation, Experience and Collaboration London, UK Taylor & Francis (Routledge). pp. 199-207

ISBN
Chapter title	The (only) future of fashion? The role of small sustainable entrepreneurship in driving transformational change
Authors	Elf, P. and Werner, A.
Abstract	In this short essay, we, by drawing on recent research, set out what is required to prefigure an alternative, sustainable and responsible fashion industry. To have a future, the fashion industry needs a rapid transformation; from the mainstream fashion industry’s obsession with novelty and growth, often ignoring the costs to society and the environment to genuine alternatives. Although operating mostly in niches, a growing number of small fashion entrepreneurs already pioneered sustainable ways of doing fashion. These fashion entrepreneurs are agents for change in their industry seeking an active negotiation and harmonisation of sustainability and the demands of business in capitalist modernity. We present innovative approaches and the very process of how many sustainable fashion entrepreneurs overcome tensions and generate opportunities in an attempt to drive a profound transformation of the industry towards sustainability.
Keywords	sustainable fashion; SMEs; innovation; fashion futures
Sustainable Development Goals	12 Responsible consumption and production
Middlesex University Theme	Sustainability
Research Group	Sustainable Development Research Cluster
Page range	199-207
Book title	The Future of Fashion Education: Speculation, Experience and Collaboration
Editors	Scott, K., Curtis, B. and Pajaczkowska, C.
Publisher	Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
Place of publication	London, UK
Series	Responsible Fashion
Hardcover	9781032826165
Electronic	9781003505426
Paperback	9781032826264
Copyright Year	2025
Publication dates
Online	18 Oct 2024
Print	18 Oct 2024
Publication process dates
Deposited	29 Oct 2024
Output status	Published
Accepted author manuscript	License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 File Access Level Open
Copyright Statement	This is an Accepted Manuscript of a book chapter published by Routledge in The Future of Fashion Education: Speculation, Experience and Collaboration on 18 October 2024, available online: http://www.routledge.com/9781032826165 It is deposited under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003505426-21
Related Output
Is part of	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003505426
Language	English

Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/19qyx8

Log in to edit

File access - Request a copy

Restricted files

Accepted author manuscript

Under embargo until 18 Apr 2026

1
total views
2
total downloads
1
views this month
2
downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Psychedelics as a tool for a more connected and sustainable world? Considering the importance of rituals, boundaries, and commitment

Anderson, K., Elf, P. and Isham, A. 2024. Psychedelics as a tool for a more connected and sustainable world? Considering the importance of rituals, boundaries, and commitment. International Journal of Drug Policy. 133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104571

Low-carbon good lives

Isham, A., Loukianov, A. and Elf, P. 2024. Low-carbon good lives. in: Overdevest, C. (ed.) Elgar Encyclopedia of Environmental Sociology Edward Elgar Publishing. pp. 405-411

Developing Brazil's sustainable finance entrepreneurship ecosystem: The role of keystone actors and institutional logics

Elf, P. and Owen, R. 2023. Developing Brazil's sustainable finance entrepreneurship ecosystem: The role of keystone actors and institutional logics. in: Hussain, J.G., Salia, S. and Scott, J.M. (ed.) Entrepreneurial Financial Resilience and Financial Innovation in a Turbulent Era Edward Elgar Publishing. pp. 190-207

Applying sequential mixed-methods approaches when working with businesses: insights from longitudinal research into the influence of business on sustainable lifestyles

Elf, P. 2023. Applying sequential mixed-methods approaches when working with businesses: insights from longitudinal research into the influence of business on sustainable lifestyles. in: Sage Research Methods: Business SAGE Publications. pp. 1-25

Addressing challenges to labour rights reporting on global value chains: social governance mechanisms as a way forward

Parsa, S. and Werner, A. 2023. Addressing challenges to labour rights reporting on global value chains: social governance mechanisms as a way forward. in: Kacanski, S., Kabderian Dreyer, J. and Sund, K. (ed.) Measuring Sustainability and CSR: From Reporting to Decision-Making Cham, Switzerland. Springer. pp. 95-106

Finance and funding for upscaling sustainable fashion

Lyon, F., Elf, P., Owen, R. and Werner, A. 2023. Finance and funding for upscaling sustainable fashion. in: Charter, M., Pan, B. and Black, S. (ed.) Accelerating Sustainability in Fashion, Clothing and Textiles London Taylor & Francis (Routledge).

Moving forward by looking back: critiques of commercialized mindfulness and the future of (commercialized) psychedelics

Elf, P., Isham, A. and Leoni, D. 2023. Moving forward by looking back: critiques of commercialized mindfulness and the future of (commercialized) psychedelics. History of Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals. 65 (1), pp. 33-62. https://doi.org/10.3368/hopp.65.1.33

Self-transcendent experiences as promoters of ecological wellbeing? Exploration of the evidence and hypotheses to be tested

Isham, A., Elf, P. and Jackson, T. 2022. Self-transcendent experiences as promoters of ecological wellbeing? Exploration of the evidence and hypotheses to be tested. Frontiers in Psychology. 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1051478

Making the living wage work in SMEs: evidence from accredited employers in the UK hospitality sector

Werner, A. 2021. Making the living wage work in SMEs: evidence from accredited employers in the UK hospitality sector. in: Dobbins, T. and Prowse, P. (ed.) The Living Wage: Advancing a Global Movement Routledge. pp. 79-90

The problematic role of materialistic values in the pursuit of sustainable well-being

Isham, A., Verfuerth, C., Armstrong, A., Elf, P., Gatersleben, B. and Jackson, T. 2022. The problematic role of materialistic values in the pursuit of sustainable well-being. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (6). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063673

Self-transcendent experiences and sustainable prosperity: CUSP working paper no. 32

Elf, P., Isham, A. and Jackson, T. 2022. Self-transcendent experiences and sustainable prosperity: CUSP working paper no. 32. Guilford Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity.

Advancing the circular economy through dynamic capabilities and extended customer engagement: insights from small sustainable fashion enterprises in the UK

Elf, P., Werner, A. and Black, S. 2022. Advancing the circular economy through dynamic capabilities and extended customer engagement: insights from small sustainable fashion enterprises in the UK. Business Strategy and the Environment. 31 (6), pp. 2682-2699. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2999

Shall we dance? Recreational dance, well-being and productivity performance during COVID-19: a three-country study

Vecchi, M., Elf, P., Ueno, A., Dilmperi, A., Dennis, C. and Devereux, L. 2022. Shall we dance? Recreational dance, well-being and productivity performance during COVID-19: a three-country study. Journal of International Marketing. 30 (2), pp. 56-72. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069031X221079609

The role and potential of tripartite partnerships to promote strong sustainable consumption in the context of Brazil: an evaluation of possibilities and risks

Oliveira, V. M., Elf, P., Correia, S. É. N. and Gomez, C. R. P. 2022. The role and potential of tripartite partnerships to promote strong sustainable consumption in the context of Brazil: an evaluation of possibilities and risks. Local Environment. 27 (1), pp. 112-130. https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2021.2013787

Living wage implementation in adult social care: challenges, solutions and benefits

Werner, A. 2021. Living wage implementation in adult social care: challenges, solutions and benefits. London, UK Middlesex University. https://doi.org/10.22023/mdx.16610725

Best practice in license allocation in the oil and gas industry: a review of five countries

Cillari, A., Stephens, S. and Werner, A. 2021. Best practice in license allocation in the oil and gas industry: a review of five countries. Resources Policy. 74, pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102296

Why do managers of small and medium-sized businesses seek voluntary Living Wage accreditation? – an exploration of choice rationales

Werner, A. 2021. Why do managers of small and medium-sized businesses seek voluntary Living Wage accreditation? – an exploration of choice rationales. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology. 30 (6), pp. 778-789. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2021.1908417

Living wage and business ethics

Werner, A. 2020. Living wage and business ethics. in: Poff, D. and Michalos, A. (ed.) Encyclopedia of Business and Professional Ethics Cham, Switzerland Springer.

Above and beyond? How businesses can drive sustainable development by promoting lasting pro-environmental behaviour change: an examination of the IKEA Live Lagom project

Elf, P., Isham, A. and Gatersleben, B. 2021. Above and beyond? How businesses can drive sustainable development by promoting lasting pro-environmental behaviour change: an examination of the IKEA Live Lagom project. Business Strategy and the Environment. 30 (2), pp. 1037-1050. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2668

Facilitating positive spillover effects: new insights from a mixed-methods approach exploring factors enabling people to live more sustainable lifestyles

Elf, P., Gatersleben, B. and Christie, I. 2019. Facilitating positive spillover effects: new insights from a mixed-methods approach exploring factors enabling people to live more sustainable lifestyles. Frontiers in Psychology. 9, pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02699

A new living contract: cases in the implementation of the Living Wage by British SME retailers

Werner, A. and Lim, M. 2017. A new living contract: cases in the implementation of the Living Wage by British SME retailers. Employee Relations. 39 (6), pp. 850-862. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-07-2017-0150

Putting the living wage to work: strategies and practices in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)

Werner, A. and Lim, M. 2016. Putting the living wage to work: strategies and practices in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Barrow Cadbury Trust.

The ethics of the living wage: a review and research agenda

Werner, A. and Lim, M. 2016. The ethics of the living wage: a review and research agenda. Journal of Business Ethics. 137 (3), pp. 433-447. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2562-z

CSR and related terms in SME owner-managers' mental models in six European countries: national context matters

Fassin, Y., Werner, A., Van Rossem, A., Signori, S., Garriga, E., Von Weltzien Hoivik, H. and Schlierer, H. 2015. CSR and related terms in SME owner-managers' mental models in six European countries: national context matters. Journal of Business Ethics. 128 (2), pp. 433-456. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2098-7

'Margin call': using film to explore behavioural aspects of the financial crisis

Werner, A. 2014. 'Margin call': using film to explore behavioural aspects of the financial crisis. Journal of Business Ethics. 122 (4), pp. 643-654. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1781-4

How do European SME owner-managers make sense of stakeholder management? Insights from a cross-national study

Schlierer, H., Werner, A., Signori, S., Garriga, E., von Weltzien Hoivik, H., Van Rossem, A. and Fassin, Y. 2012. How do European SME owner-managers make sense of stakeholder management? Insights from a cross-national study. Journal of Business Ethics. 109 (1), pp. 39-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1378-3

Using a socio-psychological approach for understanding the influence of civil society on economic activity

Werner, A. 2008. Using a socio-psychological approach for understanding the influence of civil society on economic activity. Zeitschrift für Wirtschafts und Unternehmensethik. 9 (1), pp. 153-168.

Employee views of ethics at work: The 2008 national survey.

Webley, S. and Werner, A. 2009. Employee views of ethics at work: The 2008 national survey. London Institute of Business Ethics..

How UK companies use their codes of ethics: Highlights of the 2007 Institute of Business Ethics Survey.

Werner, A. and Webley, S. 2009. How UK companies use their codes of ethics: Highlights of the 2007 Institute of Business Ethics Survey. International Journal for Business Governance and Ethics. 4 (3), pp. 280-297. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBGE.2009.023333

Literature Review: Social Capital and SMEs

Werner, A. and Spence, L. 2004. Literature Review: Social Capital and SMEs. in: Spence, L., Habisch, A. and Schmidpeter, R. (ed.) Responsibility and Social Capital: The World of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Houndsmill Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 7-24

An investigation into Christian SME owner-managers' conceptualisations of practice

Werner, A. 2006. An investigation into Christian SME owner-managers' conceptualisations of practice. 176 Boca Raton: Dissertation.com..

Eine Untersuchung zu Handlungsentwürfen christlicher klein-und mittelständischer Unternehmer in Großbritannien und Deutschland.

Werner, A. 2006. Eine Untersuchung zu Handlungsentwürfen christlicher klein-und mittelständischer Unternehmer in Großbritannien und Deutschland. Forum Wirtschaftsethik. 14 (3), pp. 60-61.