The Future of Sustainable Fashion at SXSW 2025
At the upcoming SXSW 2025 conference, a panel featuring industry leaders TrusTrace, adidas, and Tapestry will discuss the pivotal transition towards honest marketing and circularity in the fashion world. This thought-provoking session, titled "Honest Marketing and Circularity: A New Era for Fashion," aims to highlight the role of transparency in guiding consumers toward more sustainable choices. Scheduled for March 7th, the panel will take place at 2:30 PM CT, and registration is open for attendees eager to immerse themselves in discussions that could redefine the fashion landscape.
Shifting the Paradigm
The panel will include prominent figures in sustainability, such as Sigrid Buehrle, Senior Vice President for Sustainability and ESG at adidas; Logan Duran, Vice President of ESG and Sustainability at Tapestry; Anja Sadock, Senior Vice President of Marketing at TrusTrace; and moderator Brooke Roberts-Islam, founder of TECHSTYLER and Forbes senior contributor on sustainability. Together, they will address how transparent data is not just beneficial but essential in driving consumer trust and fostering a more credible marketplace.
"Over the years, adidas has committed to increasing the use of recycled materials in our offerings, and ensuring compliance with the highest standards set by organizations such as the Leather Working Group," Buehrle explained. She emphasized that robust data tracking from raw materials to finished products is crucial, stating, "Transparency about our products is vital to creating trust among consumers and stakeholders."
Duran echoed these sentiments, asserting that brands must ground their communications in factual sustainability claims. "Transparent reporting is no longer optional; it's necessary for building trust and accountability that leads to meaningful environmental impact. Companies that embrace this shift will not only meet but exceed the rising expectations for responsible business practices," he said.
Harnessing Technology for Impact
TrusTrace's Sadock highlighted the transformative potential of technology in the realm of sustainability within the fashion industry. She mentioned, "We stand on the brink of a substantial change. Advancements in technology and artificial intelligence have made it easier for brands to adopt data-driven transparency, enabling them to enhance their impact and empower consumers to make more informed choices."
Roberts-Islam, as the moderator, plans to steer the conversation towards the ways brands can navigate this evolving landscape and meet consumer expectations effectively. She stated, "The history of fashion marketing is often tarnished by vague sustainability claims. Today, brands have a pressing duty—and an incredible opportunity—to deliver evidence-based sustainability information, enabling consumers to make informed choices and rebuild trust."
About TrusTrace
TrusTrace stands as a leader in supply chain traceability, offering services that allow brands and suppliers to standardize how they collect, digitize, and share supply chain data. Their AI-enhanced platform facilitates the gathering and validation of crucial data from various supply chains, enabling companies to demonstrate their impact confidently and transparently.
The company supports major brands in implementing global traceability programs, essentially working towards the Sustainable Development Goals as recognized by the World Economic Forum. Its headquarters in Stockholm, along with offices in India, France, Germany, and the US, positions TrusTrace as an international innovator in the quest for sustainability. For more information, visit
TrusTrace.
With the panel at SXSW 2025, TrusTrace, adidas, and Tapestry aim to illuminate the path toward a more transparent and sustainable fashion industry, showcasing that honest marketing can lead to significant positive changes in consumer behavior and the environment.