The global fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions, with current production and consumption models largely following a linear system of take, make, and waste.

To tackle this, the Refashioning: Accelerating Circular Product Design at Scale guide provides a structured framework to help designers transition from a linear model to a circular one. The guide focuses on maximising product and material lifespan, offering practical steps businesses can implement to improve the circularity of their products.

Project lead and Dean of RMIT’s School of Fashion and Textiles, Professor Alice Payne, highlighted the importance of shifting traditional design thinking:

“This guide provides a systematic and methodological approach to implementing circular clothing design in a way that all organisations can implement, regardless of their size,” Professor Payne said.

“Although other circular design guides are available, Refashioning is unique in providing a systematic methodology that enables designers to both slow the flow and close the loop.”

For a truly circular approach that enables materials to be reused and recycled, manufacturers must consider key factors such as material choices, product purpose, durability, and end-of-life options right from the beginning of the design process.

The guide provides practical steps for brands to follow to achieve this goal, and was developed not only through research but was also tested in real-world scenarios. Over the course of a year, eight product and design teams from Country Road Group’s brands, including Country Road, Trenery, Witchery, and Politix, applied the guidelines to actual products, ensuring their feasibility in a commercial setting.

Funded by Sustainability Victoria, the development of the guide was a collaborative effort between RMIT, Country Road Group brands, and two independent partners—circular design expert Courtney Holm and sustainability expert Julie Boulton. This collaboration demonstrates the power of cross-sector partnerships in driving systemic change.

Sustainability Victoria’s CEO, Matt Genever, emphasised the importance of such partnerships:

“It’s an example of how effective cross-sector collaboration can generate impactful results in the transition to a circular economy,” he said.

The launch of Refashioning represents a step forward in helping brands and designers embed circular design principles into their processes. By addressing the root causes of waste in the fashion industry, these guidelines will serve as a roadmap for brands looking to reduce their environmental impact and transition towards circular practices in their operations.

As more brands embrace circular design, the industry moves closer to a future where fashion no longer contributes to excessive waste and emissions, but instead fosters sustainability, innovation, and longevity in every garment produced.