Reset Your Fashion Intention: Why 2026 Is the Year Fashion Must Change

With each new year comes an opportunity to reset, to rethink, and to recommit and in 2026, the global fashion industry urgently needs exactly that. As we step into a new cycle, now is the moment for consumers and brands alike to redefine what fashion means in a world facing climate change, inequality, and ecological collapse. At Scarlet Destiny, we believe fashion should be beautiful and responsible, and 2026 must be the year intention finally overtakes impulse.

For independent brands like Scarlet Destiny, this reset is not theoretical. It shows up in material choices, production decisions, and the refusal to cut corners, even when the system rewards speed over care.

The fashion industry has long been under scrutiny for its environmental and social impacts. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the sector contributes about 10% of global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined, and remains one of the largest consumers of water on Earth. Fast fashion alone uses staggering resources, with textile dyeing as the second largest polluter of water worldwide and washing a single garment releasing hundreds of thousands of microfibres into our oceans annually.

These figures remind us why resetting our collective fashion intention matters. Fashion cannot continue on autopilot if it is to survive in a world confronting climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and social inequity. At its core, this reset must challenge fast, cheap, disposable culture and instead embrace longevity, ethics, and environmental stewardship.

Turning Awareness Into Action in 2026

Industry thought leaders and sustainability advocates are already calling for meaningful change. In a recent Vogue Business piece outlining resolutions for sustainable fashion in 2026, voices from across the sector stressed investments in resilience, robust supply chain relationships, and deeper commitment to worker protections as vital priorities.

This year also marks a turning point in policy and accountability. The European Union will ban the destruction of unsold clothing and restrict greenwashing, ensuring companies cannot hide behind vague environmental claims. These policies force brands to design longer-lasting garments and be transparent about environmental impact. These changes are not about restricting creativity. They are about protecting it.

Fashion weeks are likewise evolving. London Fashion Week, for example, will implement mandatory sustainability requirements for participating brands in 2026, including formal environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies and diversity policies. These changes reflect an industry acknowledging that fashion without ethics is simply not viable economically, socially, or environmentally.

Consumers Are Part of the Shift Too

The reset isn’t just happening at boardroom tables; it’s being driven by conscious consumers. Research shows that more than half of consumers in major markets like the UK and Germany rank sustainability as an important factor in fashion purchases, and in the U.S., two out of three buyers pay attention to eco-friendly claims.

These shifts in mindset are shaping demand for circular fashion: systems where clothing is designed for durability, repair, resale and eventual recycling, rather than a linear take-make-dispose model. Circular fashion not only reduces waste but also encourages a deeper connection between people and their wardrobe, aligning value with quality rather than quantity.

What Fashion Needs in 2026: A Roadmap for Change

So what exactly does the fashion industry need as we enter this pivotal year? Here’s a concise look at the shifts necessary to forge a more sustainable industry:

• Prioritise circularity. Fashion must transition from disposability to longevity by designing for reuse, repair, and recycling, and by supporting second-hand and rental systems that reduce overall production.
  

• Strengthen supply chain transparency. A lack of clear disclosure on energy use and emissions, such as renewable energy goals, remains a blind spot in many brands’ sustainability efforts. Meaningful transparency must be the norm, not the exception.
  

• Support workers and communities. Sustainability isn’t just environmental, it’s social. Fair wages, safe conditions, and respect for labour are non-negotiable components of ethical fashion.
  

• Educate and empower consumers. Conscious choice is powerful, but it depends on clarity. Consumers deserve honest communication about environmental impact, supply chain practices, and product lifecycles.
  

• Collaborate for systemic solutions. No single brand or consumer can fix fashion alone. Partnerships across sectors, from NGOs to governments, will be essential to embed sustainability at every level.
  

A New Fashion Intention for a New Year

2026 isn’t just another year; it’s a call to action. Fashion can no longer be a story of trends and fleeting desires; it must become a narrative of stewardship, care, and connection. At Scarlet Destiny, we champion fashion that celebrates creativity while preserving people and the planet. Resetting our fashion intentions now isn’t just necessary, it’s hopeful. And hope, when combined with action, has the power to shape an industry that future generations can admire and rely on.

Sources: earth.org, voguebusiness.com, mintel.com, europarl.europa.eu