Blog3/3: What My Research Found From green claims to factory floors

After completing my systematic literature review, I wanted to reflect on the main findings from the eighteen studies

Before starting this research, I expected the main issue that companies are making sustainability claims without taking real action. However, the literature showed a more complex picture. The gap between sustainability promises and factory level practices is often connected to structural problems such cost pressure, fragmented outsourcing, and the unequal relationship between brands and suppliers. Many factories are not simply refusing to improve; they are operating within a system where speed, low costs, and production demands often come first.

I also discovered that certifications like GRS and RCS can support sustainability efforts but should not be viewed as a complete solution. They provide useful standards and transparency, but they may only cover certain parts of a product’s lifecycle. A certification label alone does not always show the full environmental impact behind a product.

The circular economy was another important finding. I initially saw it as a nearly complete solution for creating a more sustainable fashion industry. However, the research showed that many circular practices are still focused on recycling and reuse, while approaches like repair, eco-design, and longer product life cycles are less developed. This means circularity is often added after production rather than built into the design process from the beginning.

The biggest change in my perspective was realizing that sustainability challenges cannot be solved by blaming one group. The issue is connected to the way the entire industry is structured, from consumer expectations to supplier relationships and business models.

Overall, this research taught me that sustainability is not just about making better claims,  it is about creating deeper changes in how fashion is designed, produced, and managed. Real progress requires shared responsibility and a shift in the systems that shape the industry.

Blog2/3 : What I Learned While Writing My Literature Review

 For my second blog, I will discuss my Individual Field Study (IFS) journey, during which I conducted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). I selected the PRISMA framework as my methodology to ensure a structured and systematic approach to reviewing the literature. My topic was Bridging Sustainability Claims and Factory Realities In the textile & fashion industry : A Systematic literature review and research agenda.

I underestimated how difficult the screening stage would be. At the beginning, I thought the writing process would be the main challenge, but reviewing 158 articles and narrowing them down to a final selection of 18 required much more time and judgment. Many papers appeared relevant from their titles but focused on areas like consumer attitudes or brand communication rather than actual factory-level sustainability practices. Learning how to exclude interesting but unsuitable studies became an important part of the process. The PRISMA framework helped me stay organized by making me define clear inclusion and exclusion criteria before selecting sources.

My research questions also changed throughout the process. My first ideas were too broad and described more of a topic than a research question also it was seems like almost similar when I was ideating two questions.  After several revisions, I developed clearer questions focusing on the gap between sustainability expectations and factory practices, as well as how circular economy approaches could address these challenges. This required continuously checking whether my chosen articles truly supported my research direction.

Another challenge was organizing the literature. At first, I summarized each article separately, which made my review look more like a list of summaries rather than a connected discussion. I later reorganized the findings into broader themes, including sustainability expectations, factory-level actions, implementation barriers, governance, and circular economy strategies. This helped me see connections between different studies.

I also had to be careful not to oversimplify the sustainability gap. Instead of viewing it only as a result of companies being dishonest, the literature showed that factors such as cost pressures, limited resources, and operational difficulties also play a major role. This helped me create a more balanced analysis.

The final discussion and conclusion sections required the most thinking because they involved creating connections between different studies rather than simply repeating their findings. Overall, I learned that a literature review is not just about collecting articles; it is about critically selecting, organizing, and interpreting research to build a meaningful argument.

Purchasing intern Gina Tricot 3/3

 A few months ago I started my internship at Gina Tricot as a purchasing intern. Now that I’ve been there for 10 weeks, I’ve been trying to put into words what this experience has actually meant to me, which is actually harder than I expected.

I worked across the jersey, knitting, and heavy woven departments, which meant I got a pretty broad look at how a fast fashion company sources and buys its products. Before this, purchasing was something I understood on paper, a subjecte I learned during my bachelor. I now understand it in practice, which makes what i learned in school more clear. 

One of the highlights during my intership was sitting in on supplier meetings. Getting to be in the room when the buyer and suppliers negotiate prices, discuss fabrics and talk about samples made it feel real in a way that no lecture could. I got to follow sourcing conversations around everything from linen blends to wool and faux fur, which sounds random but taught me so much about how varied the decision-making is depending on the category.

Sustainability was something I kept coming back to throughout the internship, since it’s central to my studies and because you can’t work in fashion right now without constantly being reminded of its importance. What struck me the most was how complex it gets in practice with certifications, supplier relationships, the tension between growth and impact. It’s not a clean story and I think sitting inside a company made me appreciate that more than I did before. I hope I can contribute with my knowledge to make a real difference!

I’m leaving Gina Tricot with a deepet understanding of what a buying team actually does, and a lot of questions I want to keep exploring in the future, maybe in my final thesis or in my future job. 

Thank you for reading!

Happy summer :p

 Blog 3

RAI - SCARCITY project Developing KPI Metrics 

The last two and a half weeks have been focused on analysis and writing. In my previous blog, I mentioned that I had reached the stage where the themes were beginning to emerge from the literature and that I was preparing to start writing. What I quickly realised was that writing the paper was a completely different challenge from collecting and analysing the data.

Until then, my work existed across multiple spaces: the core cascading literature, indicator literature, coding sheets, notes, and Excel files. While I had already synthesised almost 40 articles, the insights were still scattered. Writing forced me to bring everything together into one coherent argument.

I also experienced my first real writing block during the drafting process. I had the data, the analysis and the findings, but translating them into a structured academic narrative was much harder than expected. The analysis existed in my head and in spreadsheets, but not yet on paper. Surprisingly the background was the hardest part to write. Once I got over the block, things got a bit more manageable.

A large part of this phase involved working with the cross-analysis table developed from the literature review. Interestingly, some of the strongest findings emerged from what was missing rather than what was present. Existing frameworks provided extensive ways of measuring recycling and resource efficiency, yet offered little guidance on evaluating quality-based allocation or movement across multiple cascade loops.

These insights eventually informed the development of the KPI framework, which went through several iterations before reaching its final form. As I reach the end of this phase, I am proud of the work that has been accomplished. What started as scattered notes, articles and coding sheets gradually evolved into a coherent analysis and framework. It was particularly rewarding to see the depth of the cross-analysis appreciated, especially considering how much of the process involved questioning and refining my own interpretations.

Sangavi

 Blog 2/3: The Rise of the Second-Hand Clothing Market

I am amazed to see how quickly the second-hand clothing market is growing. People are buying and selling used clothes through online marketplaces and apps. Second-hand clothing helps reduce textile waste because garments are used for a longer time instead of being thrown away after a certain time. It also reduces the need for new clothing production, which saves water, energy, and virgin raw materials.

Especially younger generations are more interested in sustainable fashion and used garments. At the same time, second-hand clothing is often more affordable and offers unique fashion choices. There are still challenges such as some people's concerns about hygiene and product quality and some are concerned about the authenticity of the product while buying from a local second-hand store instead of a brand shop. 

Blog #3/3 — Building Bridges through ENGAGE

Hello,

 

This is my third and final blog post, were I want to reflect on what I have learned throughout my field study while working on the ENGAGE project.

At the time when I first started working with ENGAGE, the project felt broad and almost self-exploratory. Because of this, my focus was mainly on understanding how such project could build stronger connections between different stakeholders. In my second blog post, I reflected on how we were moving toward stakeholder interviews and how important it was to ask questions that would help us to understand what the stakeholders wants. Now, after conducting and reviewing student interviews, who are one of the primary stakeholders, the purpose of ENGAGE has become much clearer to me.

One of the strongest findings from the student interviews that we found was that students do see value in the university’s academic curriculum. However, they also want more structured support in connecting with the professional world. Several students expressed although opportunities exist through university channel, they are not always frequent, visible, or easy to access. This made me realize that professional development is not only consisted of creating opportunities or connections, but also about making sure others know about such opportunites and feel confident enough to take participate.

Another important theme from the interviews is the gap between academic learning and real industry practice. Students appreciate what they learn in the classroom, especially in areas such as textiles, fasion and sustainability. However, they also want more practical exposure which they believe would help them to be ready for the real world. Company visits, guest lectures, real-life projects, internships, and events with industry representatives were mentioned by students which they think would be useful ways to make the connection between education and future working life stronger.

When it comes to the international students it came to my view that international students may face additional barriers when trying to access professional opportunities. Language requirements, limited knowledge of local companies, cultural differences, and lack of responses from companies can make it more difficult for them to build networks or find internships. This showed me that ENGAGE should not only think about creating industry connections, but also about making those connections more inclusive and accessible for different groups of students.

For me, one of the biggest learning outcome from this field study is that building connection between different stakeholders requires more than simply arranging events. Rather it involves structured framework, clear communication, and an understanding of the different expectations of all the different stakeholders within a project. Working on this project has given me a better understanding of what to do with this project throughout the summer to create a better foundation. This is something that honestly gets me excited as I am looking forward to seeing what kind of results, I can come up with that can help future students.

Overall, this field study has helped me understand the importance of listening and researching before designing solutionsand framework. The student interviews showed that ENGAGE has the potential to become a more systematic, visible, and inclusive pathway between students and professional life. This alone becomes a valuable learning experience for me as it has shown me how research, reflection, take interviews, thematic analysis and stakeholder engagement can support the development of a project that creates real value.

3/3 Marketing & PR Intern

Hi,

My 11-week internship at Envii is coming to an end, and it has truly been such a valuable experience. During the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in many different areas of marketing and PR, from campaign coordination and content production to different collaborations, special activations, newsletters, and social media content planning and creation.

One of the highlights for me has been getting a better understanding of how many different areas work together behind the scenes to build a cohesive brand experience. Being involved in both creative and more operational tasks gave me a broader perspective on digital marketing and brand communication, while also allowing me to develop new skills throughout the internship. 

What I’ve appreciated throughout this internship has been the supportive and creative atmosphere within the team. It has been exciting to follow Envii’s ongoing brand development during this time, and I’m very grateful to everyone on the team for making the experience so enjoyable and welcoming from day one. :)

As I prepare to conclude this experience with a final presentation of my report findings, I am grateful for everything I have learned along the way. I look forward to carrying these insights into future opportunities and continuing to grow both personally and professionally.

Blog #3 : Individual Field Study 2026 - Blog #3 : Individual Field Study 2026 - Influence of secondhand fashion on sustainable consumption in the Asian subcontinent: Exploring consumer and retailer perspectives

Hope everyone is doing great. This is the final blog post for the IFS. At this point, I am at the final stage of the field study and will be taking part in the presentation seminar. 

The findings of the study reveal that consumers are showing more interest towards secondhand fashion and becoming more aware of the environmental issues and the benefits of sustainable consumption. However, purchasing decisions vary from different customer ranges and depend on various factors such as affordability, authenticity, and trendiness. Environmental concerns are also gaining importance among the young consumers, but they still act as a secondary motivation in terms of buying in the Asian markets. While conducting the study, different research gaps were noticed, which include a focus on only one side of secondhand fashion, such as consumer perception, avoiding the retailer perception, and a single country-based study without doing a comparative analysis. This study hopefully could cover up the comparative country-based limitations, as in the literature review I have analyzed secondhand fashion specifically in India, Indonesia, China, Sri Lanka, South Korea, and Vietnam, but further research is needed to integrate consumer and retailer perspectives, examining consumer purchasing behavior and overcoming the barriers. To achieve this goal, retailers, policymakers, and consumers need to work with coordination to overcome existing barriers and establish a reliable, accessible, and socially accepted secondhand fashion environment in Asia.

Overall, this study has helped in gaining hands-on experience in research, referencing, literature review, and developing my writing skills as well. I believe this will contribute a lot in the coming days of my academic career. Thank you.

Fashion Events Intern 3/3

Since my last update, my understanding of how events function as both professional gatherings and social spaces has continued. As I have now completed the data collection for my report, I have had the opportunity to reflect more systematically on the two events I observed during my internship. It has become more clear that interaction unfolds differently based on the structure and atmosphere of an event. In the previous blogpost, I shared two different events that I participated in, both in terms of planning and in execution. For my report, I decided on focusing on the observations from these two events, since different context provide different outcomes in terms of the relational aspects i´m focusing on, together with two conducted interviews from individuals in the fashion industry.

From these observations, I have become more aware of how participation is not only shaped by event design, but also by social dynamics. For example, confidence, familiarity, and existing networks seemed to influence how easily people moved between conversations and groups. This made me reflect on how networking emerges through everyday interaction and presence in the space, and not only by the attendance on one event. 

Working at a members’ club has also given me insight into the role of curation in shaping these environments. Small decisions regarding for example the guest lists, timings and format also changes the interactions that take place. My experience and observations has shown that outcomes in terms of networking and community building, is not always guaranteed, since it depends on how participants navigates the spaces and the social contexts. 

Overall, this internship has strengthened my interest in how fashion and creative industry events function as more than just planned experiences. Events are environments where aspects such as visibility, interaction and a sense of belonging are negotiated. This has been central in my practical work and in my report as well. 

As I now conclude this part of the journey, I find myself particularly interested in continuing to explore how these intangible factors shape access and opportunity within creative industries.

Blog #3: Loggit

Since my last post, I have focused mainly on wrapping up my list of recycling industry players in Europe and also on my report for the Field Study course, based on the earlier report I compiled regarding reusable e-commerce packaging.

One interesting thing I discovered is that even over the course of this very short (relatively speaking) period, there has been movement in the industry. For example, one of the industry examples I included in my original packaging report has since completely revamped its product line, shifting from a Reuse-as-a-Service model -- where the operator essentially collects and cleans the packaging before redistributing it to client retailers -- from simply selling the physical reusable mailers, no other services included. Another has shifted its focus from reusable mailers to specifically cardboard packaging for electronics trade-ins, like when consumers send in old iPhones to Apple in return for credit on new ones, while placing a greater focus on value-add services like better tracking.

This shift demonstrates just how fluid this sector is. Because it is still so new and so undeveloped, players are still experimenting with different business models and products, and the competitive environment is evolving from day to day. Many players also do not make it. One player cited in many recent-ish white papers and consultancy reports had gone bankrupt last year, despite being considered one of the leading names in the field.

On a personal note, this internship has allowed me to think more about sustainability, including in the fashion industry, from a slightly different lens - that of logistics and packaging, compared with the product itself. It really demonstrated to me that true, meaningful sustainability requires change not just within individual companies but in the greater business environment that spans across the supply chains and includes customers as well.

Global Marketing Intern 3/3

It’s hard to believe that my internship is already coming to an end. Looking back on these three months, I’m grateful for how much I’ve learned and for the opportunity to experience the fashion industry from a global marketing perspective.

Throughout the internship, I’ve had the chance to work across many different areas of marketing. From content planning, PR and influencer marketing to media strategies, events, and out-of-home activations, I’ve been involved in a wide range of projects and activities. What I’ve enjoyed most is seeing how all these different marketing functions connect and work together towards the same goal: building a strong and consistent brand.

One of my biggest takeaways is that marketing is rarely about a single campaign or channel. Instead, it is about creating a consistent brand experience across many touchpoints over time. Working closely with different teams, markets, agencies, and partners has also given me a better understanding of how global brands balance maintaining a clear identity while adapting to local market needs.

Alongside my internship, I have been conducting a field study focused on how global fashion brands build brand awareness across different markets. One key finding is that a strong brand identity and heritage act as the foundation for all brand-building activities. I also found that successful brand awareness efforts require a combination of multiple marketing channels, a balance between global consistency and local adaptation, and a long-term commitment, as meaningful results often take years to achieve.

It has been an incredibly valuable experience, both professionally and personally, and I leave with new knowledge, new perspectives, and many lessons that I will carry with me going forward.

/Lisa Sandell

3/3 Creative Content Intern

Hello! This is the final Blogpost as Creative Content intern. 

The final weeks of my internship have been super interesting regarding learning new skills related to my role as well as increased reponsibility concerning analyisi and ownership of specific platforms and processes. Of course, the past weeks have also been interesting regarding my project report on how AI influences and changes creative roles especially from a junior perspective. 

Let me share a bit of what I found out with you here:

In the beginning of my internship, as a result of the constant discussions and media attention on AI and the "death of human creativity", I carried the fear in me that in the future roles that I am seeking after graduating will be replaced by AI. These past weeks, nevertheless, have shown me that that does not have to be the case. If intergrated correctly it can rather be something you can leverage to give you more time for what really matters, to develop ideas, create concepts and save time. Kind of like your own intern.

Of course there is a balance to everything and my report will also explore ethics, practical implications, limitations and especially where my findings are in accordance or stand in contrast to the existing literature.

I have really enjoyed this internship and have treasured the chances to strengthen my skills, learn new things and expand my creative portfolio. Alongside that, I am more than happy to being placed in a team that values curiosity, is open to new ways of doing things and shows their support and interest building on my strengths.

Looking forward to presenting more of what I observed and the conclusions I drew and hear some of your presentations next week.

Nora 

BLOG 3/3 INTERNSHIP - TOTEME

 Hey!!

This will be my last blogpost as my internship is coming to an end. These 10 weeks have been insightful in learning about how the fashion industry works from the inside. It has been super interesting working and assisting the fabrics team at TOTEME.

The department and team which I've been a part of works closely with different departments and areas of the company, including design, product development, production and many more. This has given me a broad understanding of how everything connects, and it has been really valuable to see how things operate in real life. I've learned a lot of practical skills, but also gained a better understanding on how the industry functions as a whole, which has been really cool.

The most fun part of the internship has been fabric research and archiving old collections, because that's where I've learnt the most about different types and compositions of fabrics. But it has also been interesting to see the decision-making processes and strategic choices regarding the process, from an idea to the final garment. There are a lot of requirements to consider, and sometimes tricky situations and difficult decisions along the way, so it's not always a smooth process. I've learned that things can happen along the way, but with good communication and coordination, problems and situations can be managed and resolved.

I’m very grateful for the opportunity to learn practical skills and to grow as a person. It has been a lot of work but also a lot of fun! Many thanks to my colleagues and esp the fabrics team!! I think that's it for my last blogpost, thanks for reading!

Ciao,

Noah

Internship at Revolution Race Blog 3/3

It is hard to believe that I am working my final week at RevolutionRace. Looking back over the past ten weeks, I am amazed at how much has happened and how much I have learned, and I want to use this final post to reflect on how things have wrapped up.

Since my last entry, I have finished my work with the Marketplace team. The big project there was building and uploading the summer sites for our third-party marketplaces, taking everything from campaign updates and product listings to the overall seasonal feel and getting it live for customers. It was really satisfying to see a project I had been working on for weeks finally go out into the world and to know that the work would be part of how customers experience the brand this summer.

I had hoped to spend some time with the production team to see how the garments are made from concept to finished product, but unfortunately, scheduling conflicts meant that visit didn't work out. Instead, I have been spending my last two weeks with the social media team, which turned out to be a brilliant way to round off my time here.

With the social media team, my focus has been on helping RevolutionRace broaden its user base into the golf world. I have spent time scouting influencers and profiles within golf and then managing the partnerships and contracts that have been made so far. It is a new side of the business for me, and I really enjoy the mix of research, relationship-building, and the more administrative side of getting agreements in place. Alongside that, I have also worked directly on the company's Instagram and TikTok, creating content, editing videos in CapCut, and putting together drafts for Instagram posts. Getting hands-on with content creation has given me a much better appreciation for how much thought and effort goes into even a single post.

What stays with me most, looking back across the whole internship, is how every team and every small task connects to the bigger picture of how a brand presents itself and reaches its customers. From updating a product page to negotiating a partnership, it all feeds into the same goal.

I am so grateful for these ten weeks. I have learned an enormous amount, worked across so many different parts of the company, and gotten to know a lot of genuinely wonderful people along the way. It has been an enriching, challenging, and genuinely fun experience, and one I will carry with me for a long time. 

Thank you!

Stina Sjöstrand.

Intern Nobo Design 3/3

My last week of internship has now started, and I have learned many different things during these weeks. One advantage of being at a small company is that I have had the opportunity to get a complete picture of how an e-commerce business works, because I have been able to try many different tasks like purchasing meetings, events, and content creation.

Speaking of content, last Friday I had the opportunity to join a photo shoot and video recording with one of the brands we sell. We were at their headquarters by a beach in Helsingør to give the brand extra attention on Nobo’s channels. In the days before, there was a lot of planning, both about what type of content to create and which products to feature with the goal to focus on items that were still in stock while also being suitable for the current season. One thing I have learned about content creation is how much preparation is needed. It is not really the photo shoot or filming that takes the most time, but coming up with a good idea that fits the specific product.

Another lesson I am taking with me from my time at Nobo Design is how important it is to have a good relationship with the sales representatives from the companies that Nobo buys from. This is beneficial for both Nobo and the suppliers. It makes things easier when Nobo needs to exchange a product that has not sold well or handle customer complaints. It is also an advantage for the sales representatives, because a strong relationship and trust can encourage Nobo to buy more products from their brand. During purchasing meetings it is therefore common for sales representatives to both share and ask about personal topics in order to build relationships and loyalty.

Finally, I would like to say that these weeks have given me more confidence about working in this industry, which I will take with me to future workplaces. Toward the end of my internship, I have started taking more initiative on my own and I have noticed that my mentor trust me more and allow me to work more independently. This has been enjoyable and makes me feel positive about the future when I eventually have a full-time job in the industry!

Internship at an online fashion store 3/3

 I am now starting my final week at my internship. The past few months have gone by incredibly fast, and it feels like the internship just started. At the same time, a lot has happened during this period, and I have had the opportunity to gain valuable insights.

Throughout my internship I have got the opportunity to participate in many parts of the business and got a better understanding of how e-commerce within fashion actually works. I have participated in buying meetings, photoshoots, livestream shopping sessions, and created content for their social media. It has given me insights into how different functions work together within an e-commerce company.

One of the most interesting things I have learned is how closely connected marketing, sales and inventory management actually are. Before starting my internship, I primarily viewed marketing as a way to create inspiration and build brand awareness in order to increase sales. During my time at the company, I have seen how marketing is also used strategically to influence sales, highlight specific products and brands, and manage the inventory when products do not sell as well or have a high inventory level.

The internship has also allowed me to apply my knowledge from my education in a real business setting. At the same time, it has given me a broader understanding of the daily decision making processes within the fashion industry and the balance between creativity, customer experience and business goals.

Consulting Field Study 3/3

 As I write this final blog post, I am happy to say that I am almost finished with my report. There are still a few references to double-check and, of course, several rounds of proofreading to fully process and reflect on everything I have accomplished. Looking back, I feel both content and proud of the work I have achieved and of my own development throughout the project. I believe my findings, analysis and conclusions answer the research question in a clear and well structured way.

One thing I have learned about my writing process is the importance of moving forward. As I mentioned in my second blog post, I felt stuck in the introduction chapter for quite some time, and my progress was moving slowly. Once I moved on to the discussion chapter, where I could begin analyzing and interpreting the findings, the writing became much easier and more enjoyable. The conclusion chapter was especially rewarding, as it became very clear what I wanted to communicate and what the study had ultimately contributed.

During this final week, my focus will mainly be on creating the poster and preparing for the final presentations. Yes, presentations in plural. I will present my work for Digital Business Lab, for Jenny, and finally travel to Värnamo to present the results to Värnamo of Sweden, the company involved in the field study.

I am also looking forward to spending less time in front of my computer. Despite exercising regularly, both my body and mind are asking for a break after many weeks of long hours, poor posture and constant thoughts about DPP. A big stretch and some distance from the topic feel well deserved.

Overall, I have truly enjoyed this journey. I have learned a great deal about both the subject itself and about how I work as a researcher. The project has strengthened my analytical and critical thinking, and it has shown me how much I enjoy exploring complex topics through research. Perhaps most importantly at the end, I have learned to be less critical of myself and my progress. Throughout the entire project, my curiosity has been my strongest driving force, and I hope to continue building on that in future research and professional opportunities.

Can small adjustments improve sustainability communication through corporate websites? 3/3

After two months, the consulting field study project has finally reached its final stage. I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Värnamo of Sweden and the Business Lab to explore how sustainability communication can be improved through corporate website design.

To investigate whether small design adjustments could improve users’ speed of noticing and interacting with sustainability information, increase their exploration range, and enhance their perception of sustainability communication, I redesigned the website based on field observations, literature review, and VSME framework. One of the key design principles was placing the main navigation menu in a higher position rather than at the bottom of the page. Another important strategy was the repetition of sustainability-related content across different touchpoints. Finally, I conducted an experiment involving 22 participants using eye-tracking devices and questionnaires, and I analyzed how users perceived and interacted with the two website versions.

The findings showed that the version with higher navigation placement and repeated sustainability content performed better in several aspects, including notice speed, intuitive guidance, and viewing range. However, one construct related to user perception did not show a significant difference. This suggests that although improvements could be observed in user behavior, users’ subjective perceptions may still remain similar, highlighting the challenge of measuring and influencing user feelings and attitudes.

Overall, this experience not only deepened my understanding of website design and user behavior, but also provided valuable insights into sustainability communication. Although the journey was sometimes bittersweet, it inspired me to continue exploring sustainability strategies more deeply in the future!

Blog #3 Internship at the Swedish EPA

As my internship at the Swedish EPA continues, I’ve started to gain a clearer understanding of how sustainability work operates beyond theory and into practice. One thing that has stood out to me over the past weeks is how much environmental policy depends on collaboration, communication, and longterm planning.

Recently, I have been involved in work connected to upcoming EU regulations and internal coordination processes within the agency. It has been interesting to observe how different departments contribute with their own expertise to interpret legislation and discuss how new policies can be implemented in a practical way. Seeing these discussions firsthand has given me a broader perspective on how complex sustainability governance really is.

A large part of my current work has focused on mapping textile material recycling in Sweden and the Nordic region. This has involved identifying key actors, processes, and bottlenecks within the textile recycling value chain, as well as examining what is still missing to create more circular textile flows in the Nordics. Working on this project has given me valuable insight into both the environmental and structural challenges connected to textile sustainability, especially as new EU requirements continue to emerge.

Another part of my internship that I have enjoyed is participating in projects related to communication and stakeholder engagement. Organising webinars and interacting with participants has shown me how important knowledge sharing is within environmental work. Sustainability is not only about creating policies, but also about making information accessible and encouraging cooperation between different actors.

What I appreciate most about this internship is how it connects many of the topics I have studied at university with realworld challenges. Issues connected to circular economy, textiles, and resource efficiency are no longer just concepts from lectures, but something I now see being discussed and developed in practice every day.

This experience continues to strengthen my interest in sustainability policy and environmental governance, and I look forward to learning even more during the final part of my internship.

Blog 2/3 : Building bridges through ENGAGE

Hello

In this blog post, I want to talk about how the ENGAGE project has developed since my first blog post when much of our work at that time focused on understanding the purpose of the project and exploring how ENGAGE could build stronger connection between different stakeholders. Now, me and my teammate are going through interviews of different stakeholders to understand the view they have towards such project.

The most important part of this stage has been preparing for interviews of the primary stakeholders. My teammate and I have been working on pilot questions that can help us understand different perspectives of the stakeholders connected to ENGAGE. However, working on creating these questionaries for the interview and sitting with interviewees has made me realize that asking questions is not as simple as it first seems. A good question should not push people toward a specific answer. Rather it should create a safe space for honest reflection for both participants.

For me, one reflection I have had during this stage is that different stakeholders of the same category may see the same problem in different ways. As for now, I am taking the interviews of the students who are one of the primary stakeholders and I can see students from different region think about access to opportunities, confidence, and future employment differently. Thus, understanding these different perspectives is important before suggesting any possible suggestion for the ENGAGE project to hold on to. Because when I am thinking critically regarding the responses from the students from different regions, a lot of their responses seems similar in a lot of cases even though their perspective might differ in the broader scale.

This realization has been one of the most valuable learning points for me in this field study course. Because of this, I have beginning to understand how to create a connection between different stakeholders that matches the expectations, mitigate the communication gaps and establish the practical conditions that affect whether collaboration of such scale can be meaningful for both parties.

At this stage, the ENGAGE project feels going towards the right way than it did at the beginning. The direction we want to steer this project is becoming clearer, and the interview process will hopefully help us identify the possible patterns, needs, and areas for development based on the responses from the stakeholders. I am looking forward to finding out if the students and other stakeholders share similar views, or there are differences among the perspective of different stakeholders that need to be considered carefully.

In my next blog post, I am looking forward to reflect more on what we have learned from the interviews and how those insights may shape which direction this ENGAGE project lean towards in the future.

Communications and Commercial Intern 3/3

Communications and Commercial Intern: Post 3/3

Irene Rumiz

Hi!

This is my last blog post, and I can’t believe this incredible experience is coming to an end. I will always be grateful for the opportunity that The Loop Factory gave me to be part of its amazing team and experience working life in Sweden.

During these last weeks, I had the chance to work on a project that truly interested me, focused directly on marketing and communications. It had been a long time since I last worked in this field, as my previous experiences were more centered around management and leading projects (a little boring, honestly). So being able to work again in an area I genuinely enjoy feels amazing. However, the best part is not only that I got to work in a field I like, but that this assignment was created especially for me, based on my interests within the company.

As I mentioned in my previous entry, after I finished my original assignments at light speed, I was asked what I would like to focus on next. The marketing and sales team trusted me with a very important project, convinced that I would deliver accordingly. Feeling valued and considered important by a company that barely knew me, thousands of kilometers away from home, is something that fills my heart with pride and joy.

Working at The Loop Factory has been one of the best experiences of my life, not only because I was given the trust and opportunity to showcase my abilities in a foreign work environment, but also because of everything I learned here. I learned that Swedes have discovered the secret to work-life balance: fika breaks, such a small thing yet so necessary. I learned that we are all the same, no matter if you are the CEO or the intern (me haha), everyone has a place at the lunch table (and if it’s sunny, that lunch will definitely be outdoors). I also learned that this is how work should feel: everyone does their part, but there is no need to work under constant pressure (as if we were in a war zone all day just to function, which is what I was used to). Stability is key.

Regarding the train, it wasn’t traumatic at all. Commuting was a completely new experience for me, and honestly, I enjoyed it. I’m going to miss those train rides and the views from Borås to Varberg, they became an important part of my daily life.

I truly loved this experience: learning from each of my colleagues, being introduced to a whole new world; on one hand, the Swedish working environment, and on the other, the sustainability field. Ever since I started my master’s degree, sustainability has been an area that deeply interested me, and now, after this experience, I can confidently say that I want to keep learning and dig deeper into the possibilities of giving waste, especially textile fibre waste, a whole new life by extending its lifecycle.

Thank you, The Loop Factory, for having me, for believing in me more than I believed in myself, and for giving me a life-changing opportunity. I hope we keep in touch and, who knows, maybe work together again in the future. Thank you for being such an important part of my life in Sweden.

And thank you as well to everyone who read and followed my experience.
Thank you for your time.

Irene

Blog #3: High Precision, High Hurdles - Lessons from my virtual fitting room build

In this final post I reflect on the journey of my virtual fitting room project. Despite the considerable challenges encountered during the full application development, mainly due to the complexity of the real-time cloth physics, the research successfully validated a powerful conceptual open source pipeline.

The Gold Standard for Accuracy A key part of this project has been to demonstrate that a smartphone-based system can meet industry standards. My research shows that by using body proportions and machine learning, an average accuracy of 95.59% can be reached for critical dimensions such as waist, hip and thigh. The secret to the trillion-dollar problem of online returns is keeping errors within a margin of more or less than 2 centimeters.

The greatest challenge is in the technical realities of moving from a static 3D model to a dynamic “digital twin." The enhanced PBD framework is theoretically efficient enough to run in real-time on normal devices, but implementing the complex overlays and wrinkles of fabric in the open-source Godot Engine was a major technical bottleneck within the available time.

What’s Next? The application may not be fully "live," but I have defined a validated roadmap. The pipeline is ready for the next phase, which uses AI like Pix2Pix to help the system “see through” loose clothing and estimate body shape. The pipeline uses MakeHuman for anatomical realism and Mixamo for rigging.

This project shows that the fashion fit crisis has a promising open-source solution – it just needs a little more time in the fitting room of technical development.

Blog #2 : Individual Field Study 2026 - Influence of secondhand fashion on sustainable consumption in the Asian subcontinent: Exploring consumer and retailer perspectives

In my previous blog post, I shared a brief idea on secondhand fashion and my selected topic. In first draft, I worked on the introduction and methodology part, but to move further, the literature review needed more relevant articles. For which I created another search string to support the literature and move forward. 

Using the new search string on Web of Science, I found 15 more articles after continuous screening, which made the total number of articles 40, including the previous 25 articles for the review. Using these peer-reviewed articles, I am now currently working on answering the research question, which I have categorized into three themes: Theme 1: Consumer Perception, Motivation, and Barriers; Theme 2: Environment vs. Actual Behavior; and Theme 3: Platforms and Generation Z. Apart from these themes, I am also trying to cover the issues and challenges experienced by the retailer, which entail business and operational issues, supply challenges, trust and quality control, consumer awareness, and infrastructural limitations faced by the retailers. While working with the literature, the findings reveal that consumer perception is almost similar across the Asian subcontinent and taken as a low-class practice. 

Moreover, it is also influenced by some factors such as hygiene, product quality, and social stigma. In growing markets, these perceptions become stronger due to the cultural attitudes of that region. The findings also included that there is an attitude & behavioral gap among the consumers towards sustainable fashion, which means that consumers may express positive attitudes toward sustainability but do not translate these into actual purchasing behavior. However, it is seen that pricing of the product plays a vital role in purchasing secondhand products. The young consumers take into account the environmental side, whereas for the older consumers, it is found that price wins every time. And from the point of view of retailers, consistent supply challenges of product due to inconsistent size, styles, and quantities are creating barriers to growing the market. Transparency, quality control, and authenticity is also key factors in this case. So far, these insights are helping me in doing the literature review, and I am at the verge of writing my final report. Looking forward for a better outcome. 

From green claims to factory floors

 Hi,

This is my first blog, and I want to share what i have learned from studying about sustainability in the fashion industry. While going through different research articles, i started to notice something interesting and also a bit surprising.There is no doubt that sustainability has become a central topic in the textile and fashion industry. labels such as eco friendly, made from recycled materials have become more powerful marketing tools. But behind this polished messages lies a more complicated reality.

The  factories operate under very different conditions than brands. Many garment factories are located in developing countries where they face tight profit margins, short term and unstable contracts, high production pressure and limited access to advanced technologies. As a result, sustainability practices are sometimes implemented only partially. For example, a factory might meet the formal requirements of a certification or audit but fail to fully integrate sustainable practices into everyday operations. This situation can lead what is often described as symbolic compliance where the appearance of sustainability is achieved without real transformation.

For real sustainability i think brands and factories need to work together more  fairly. This means paying factories fair prices, building long term relationships, providing support and investment and being honest about real progress.From my reading and learning , i understood that sustainable fashion is not completely false but it is also not fully real yet. There is still a gap between what brands promise and what actually happens in factories.

Purchasing intern Gina Tricot - 2/3

 Hi all :) 

Since my last blogpost, I have completed my time with the heavyknitting team. I really enjoyed my time with them, since they made me feel very welcomed and embraced. I always got to share my opinions and thoughts during sample meetings and was able to look into some trendresearch to show the designer and headdesigner, truly making me feel like a part of the team. I also learned a lot more about their sustainability efforts regarding knitted garments, and that it is very different from the jersey team as they work more with animal fibers. I had very insightful conversations with the knitted team, and it was also very clear that they put a lot of effort and thoughts into these products, since they are a smaller team than the jersey department. I also felt here that they all worked close together (designer, purchasing assistant, purchaser, pattern maker) which made my weeks with them more insightful as I got to see all of the different work aspects. The purchasing assistant I followed these 3 weeks also takes care of the swimwear account. So I go to attend every meeting with her and the designer where we discussed colours, patterns, materials, etc. I enjoyed being able to assist the early meetings of discussion trends, and I'm eager to see what they will come up with next year, knowing that I was apart of the trendresearch! 

Overall, I am super content with my time with the heavyknitting team. Last week i was supposed to start my time with the heavywoven team, but because of some circumstances, I got to be with the lightwoven team for a few days (which makes dresses, blouses, shirts, etc). I actually enjoy being with different departments, since they all work somewhat differently, and I think that it is healthy to see different aspects and how different teams operate and what they focus on, which is also good for my own understanding and interest. From this week on I will be with heavywoven, and here it's also different on how much they do and what they focus on since their primary products are jackets! Tomorrow we will have a in-person meeting with their suppliers from China, which I think will be super interesting to attend and maybe ask they some questions on how they work together with GT. 

That's all for me now, thx for reading!

Zoë

SCArCITY RA Internship - Metrics for evaluating circular business model (CBM) performance in cascaded textile system.

The past couple of weeks has been both challenging and of utmost interest for me. After understanding the topic, finding literatures, screening through hundreds of article an finalizing them it was the time to actually get down to the synthesis and analysis part. Lesrning to do a critical literature review, where I interpreted the existing CE and CBM literature through cascading lens, making connection to the CE indicators framework, finding the gaps, seeing how the study has grown overtime and developingg for almost an completely new topic. I am going to discuss the process in the blog!

The first step was I had 3 different workspace. One for the core papers which were Sirkin and Houten core cascading principles, cascading in textiles literature review, CE and cascading in textiles plus 4 more papers which I read really deeply and made my sheet in the first month. Now it was time for synthesis of articles through the lens of these principles in the excel sheet with my critical reflection added for each paper. And I had another document with the indicator literature (it was added in excel too). This was done for almost 40 articles and during this process the recurring themes started taking root in my head as I worked. 

At this stage in my work I have a rough analysis made, connecting and cross analysing the excel file. I assume that the final detailed analysis which would naturally lead me KPI framework (which is super rough draft now) is the challenging part in the upcoming weeks.My next step for the weeks is deep diving into the analysis and to start writing the paper. Today is the day I plan on starting the report writing as suggested my my supervisor as well. I feel confident in starting now at this stage where I already made the rough draft of what we are looking at. 

Overall the past weeks have been really productive and interesting. I met with my supervisor yesterday with my data, thoughts and questions and planning to do my first draft this week. I am hopeful to contribute the best I can to the SCArCITY project and a bit nervous too.

Sangavi 

Fashion Events Intern 2/3

Since my last update, I have learned a lot and feel more comfortable in my role and the responsibilities connected to event management at my internship.  No event is the same, and being involved in both the planning process and execution continues to show how varied the work within a members’ club can be, especially when it comes to fashion related events. 

One of the events I was especially excited for was an afterparty connected to the fashion industry, taking place in a more club setting later in the evening. The mingling opportunities and overall atmosphere was different from the daytime events, with a busy environment and guests moving freely between different spaces. On site, my role was both operational and relational, meaning that I supported the team on site and helped ensure that everything ran smoothly during guest arrival while also mingling with members throughout the evening. The setting encouraged the visitors to mingle and move between groups as well as socialize in a spontaneous and informal way. At the same time, there was a mix between members and external (invited) guests, meaning that not everyone attending necessarily had a direct connection to fashion. Thus, I realized that more exclusive fashion focused events could potentially create a more niche environment where people share stronger professional interests and connections. In a club setting, the interaction instead felt broader, more informal and socially driven instead of directly business-driven. 

The second event was a fashion related breakfast event that included a presentation followed by a mingling session. In comparison to the afterparty, this event had a set format, which meant that interaction had to follow the schedule. Guests first gathered to mingle, then listened in for the presentation. Afterwards, the event transitioned into a more open social setting where conversations and networking took place more naturally. What I found particularly interesting was how the presentation created a shared starting point for discussions afterwards, which made the networking feel more intentional and connected to the topic of the event itself. Attendees pitched their ideas and connected more formally than the other event and people stayed for a while afterwards as well. 

By experiencing these two event formats relatively close in time, I gained reflections on how the environment, timing and setting created mingling opportunities in different areas. Even though both events brought together people connected to the fashion industry, as well as other creative industries, the conversations and dynamics felt very different depending on the setting and purpose of the event. These experiences continued to show me how events are more than purely social gatherings, they also creates a space to connect, build relationships and creates a space where people can become part of a wider community through shared experiences and interactions.

Production Intern at Hodakova 3/3

Following my incredibly concise blog post from two weeks ago, I feel semi-obliged to provide a more eventful update. Reflecting upon these past two months seems bizarre - so much has happened that my mind assumes it must've been way longer, but at the same time I still can't really grasp the fact that I'm actually here. Thank God I've got my little diary to remember what I've done.

Although doing the inventory and organising it was boring at first, it actually brought me satisfaction - being a massive perfectionist it was comforting to know everything is now in order, counted and archived in a pretty document. While my ongoing tasks mainly revolve around production and sourcing (e.g. sorting, sourcing in-person, researching new manufacturer opportunities, coordinating orders), the fun part about working for an independent fashion brand is that, as an extra, I get to experience a little bit of everything. For instance, I helped with the organisation of last week's pop-up, where I ensured appropriate merchandise display and helped with set design, which was crazy cool to see from a marketing perspective. Or this week I worked with copywriting, e-com, product pages, and newsletters, which allows me to peek into internal communications a bit more. 

In regards to my factual position, however, I have participated in a round of fittings, making measurements, writing notes and comments, and just observing the entire process of sample adjustments and developments - it's fascinating to see this attention to detail play out in a completely different, technical approach. I definitely learned more about garment construction, specific terminology and the step-by-step of how production is planned and prepared. 

Overall, it's interesting to see how I progress in this job and how my tasks shift toward more responsibility, what makes me feel like I have some agency and input. I think I've never in my life asked this many questions as I have in this job, though. 

2/3 Marketing & PR Intern

Hi,

This is my second blog post from my internship at Envii. The internship has been going well, and I have been getting more responsibility and growing more confident in my work tasks.

As mentioned in my earlier post, these past and coming weeks have involved a lot of preparation for a new collection launching at the end of July. I got the opportunity to participate in a campaign shoot with the team, assisting with everything from steaming and preparing looks for the models to SoMe content creation. The day was intense, starting at 6:30 in the morning and going all the way to 8 pm in the evening. Even though the day was long and full-on, it was a fascinating experience to see the work and coordination that goes into bringing a campaign shoot to life. Looking forward seeing the final results!

All in all, I have continued with the same responsibilities while also taking on additional tasks. It’s been nice to notice that I have already learned a lot and begun working more independently. Also, no two days are alike, which keeps every day super interesting. It has been really rewarding to see the team trust me with more, and I have felt a lot more included in the team structure. At the same time, I am working on my final report, and it has been a great experience diving deeper into my topic.

Looking forward to my final weeks of the internship!

Blog #2: Loggit

In the weeks since my last post, I have shifted my focus to researching active players in Europe and beyond in the textile recycling industry - everything from collectors and sorters to companies developing new tech to facilitate the process. The goal is to create a general map of the European textile recycling sector and identify potential partners for future projects.

It has been very interesting to see the range and breadth of players in the field, from small startups using AI to sort textiles faster and more accurately to established players that have been mechanically recycling textiles for decades. At the same time, the fact that textile recycling remains such a difficult task despite the number of players already involved and the history of the industry can feel at times discouraging. It shows just how much more work there is left to do in this field.

BLOG 2/3 INTERNSHIP - TOTEME

Welcome to the second blogpost of my internship at Toteme!

About six weeks have passed since I started my internship as a Raw Material Developer Intern. I’m getting more and more comfortable in my role at the company and learning something new every day. At times, it can definitely be a bit stressful working with fabrics for different collections simultaneously, and it can get confusing trying to keep track of everything. But after six weeks, I’m starting to get more used to the pace and the working environment. A part of my role is assisting in keeping daily contact with suppliers and asking for updates regarding stock, pricing, MOQ, lead times, sustainability certificates, and so on. I also spend quite a lot of time working in Excel, filling in files with all the relevant information connected to each fabric.

One thing I’ve also been doing lately is archiving. This means cutting fabric tirellas and bulk fabrics into smaller cuttings (like A4 size) that have been used in previous collections and organising them into archive boxes. It’s been really cool to see and feel all the fabrics used in earlier collections. It has helped me better understand fabrics in general, but also suppliers and which suppliers are typically used depending on the fabric composition and material. One thing that I’ve realised is that it can be quite challenging to find the right fabrics when balancing quality, cost, time, and sustainability all at once. Finding the right balance between these factors is definitely not always easy.

I’ve also been writing daily diary notes both during work and on the bus ride home. I feel like this has given me time to reflect on the tasks I’ve been doing each day, and I think it will be really useful later when writing my final report.

Overall, it’s been a fun and very rewarding experience to see how the fashion industry and raw material sourcing work from the inside.

That’s it for my second blog post. Thanks for reading! 🙂

Peace out,
Noah

Global Marketing Intern 2/3

A few weeks have passed since my last post, and I feel like I've really settled into the role now. I've taken on more responsibility since my first month, and the work has become both more independent and more varied which I'm genuinely enjoying. 

I'm still very much involved in the ongoing work I mentioned in my first post like putting together monthly marketing reports, coordinating with PR agencies and influencer content, and being part of the planning around upcoming activations and events. Alongside this, one of the bigger things I'm working on right now is a project where I'm putting together a framework for how the company can work organically with Pinterest. The goal is to map out how the platform can be used to increase brand awareness and visibility, and what kind of content strategy would make the most sense given the brand's identity. This requires me to think more strategically and take ownership of the process from start to finish, which is very fun cause I think that's the way you learn and gain real experience.

What I keep noticing is how almost every meeting or task connects back to the same question: which initiatives are most important for fashion brands when it comes to strengthening brand awareness? This is something I find genuinely interesting to explore and from a global marketing perspective, it also raises a broader question about how brands maintain a consistent global identity while still adapting to local markets. How do you balance? It's something I'm hoping to dig into further, and as a step in that direction, I have a meeting scheduled with one of the company's marketing directors next week to discuss exactly this.

Intern Nobo Design 2/3

At the company where I am doing my internship, they organize many events of different sizes that I have been able to take part in. The smaller events are aimed at groups of friends who are invited to our showroom, where they are offered sparkling wine and snacks, get a presentation of the new arrivals and how to style them, and then the customers can walk around and try on as many clothes as they want.

Most of the customers who come to these smaller events have attended events at Nobo before and are familiar with both the concept and the employees. This creates a more personal atmosphere where we connect with the customers through a lot of conversation. Some customers even shook hands when they arrived because they did not recognize me from before.

At the larger events, there is not the same personal connection with the customers because there is not enough time for it. Instead, more free services and products are offered. Sparkling wine and snacks are still available, but on a much larger scale. There were also hairstylists on site who styled customers’ hair, and everyone who made a purchase received a goodie bag.

One thing that has been fun to see is how much the customers encourage each other to shop by giving compliments and motivating each other to try on clothes, which makes our job easier :)

Blog 1/3 : Building bridges through ENGAGE

Hello,

I am currently doing my field study within the ENGAGE project, where I am working and thinking like a project leader who is responsible to build the foundation for the project that build a bridge between different stakeholders.

At first, I thought of ENGAGE mainly as a project that should focus on improving contact between students and companies. But the more I work and think strategically about it, the more I understand that ENGAGE can create meaningful connections between students, teachers, alumni, and external partners in a way that supports long-term career development.

So far, my work has mainly been exploratory. I have been involved in reviewing literature that supports such initiatives, discussing the direction of the initiative with my teammate and Digital Business Lab, and helping develop preliminary interview questions for students, program leaders, teachers, alumni, and companies who are divided into primary and secondary stakeholders. This has shown me the importance of first understanding people’s actual needs before trying to design or strategize solutions.

One insight that I have reflected on a lot so far is that professional development is not only about what happens in the classroom. Along with the study material access to networks, real industry contact, and the opportunity to understand professional expectations can also shape a student’s future in a constructive way. Even something as simple as a conversation with the right person can create confidence, direction, and opportunity.

One, out of many things, that I find especially valuable in this project is that it encourages me to see from the perspective as a student and as a researcher. It is making me reflect not only on what kind of support students need, but also on how a university can build stronger and more deeper relationships with the world outside of the designated curriculum. 

For me, working in this project is giving me a better insight of how to go through networking much more effectively that focuses on creating solutions. As the pilot questions being ready me and my teammate is slowly moving towards interviews, which I will talk more about on my next blog post. For now, this is the first of the three blog post that gives an overview of the field study I am doing.