Regenerative design in fashion means building clothing systems that restore, rather than deplete, natural resources. It goes beyond “less harm” toward positive return designing products that enrich soil health, reduce pollution, and sustain the communities that produce them. In practice, it means using natural fibers that can return to the earth, transparent supply chains that support biodiversity, and production methods that give back more than they take.

Fashion’s material footprint remains staggering, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 11.3 million tons of textiles were landfilled in 2018. And, according a a Science Direct report in 2019, synthetic fabrics now generate roughly 16–35% of primary microplastics entering oceans. The majority of garments today are made from petroleum-based fibers like polyester and nylon, which can take centuries to decompose. The counter-movement gaining force across the industry is regenerative apparel, an approach grounded in science, soil, and circular design.

Natural fibers such as cotton fit naturally within the earth’s carbon cycle, they grow from the soil and can safely return to it. Studies from Cotton Incorporated show that cellulose-based fibers biodegrade 30–90% within 90 days, while cotton microfibers biodegraded up to 90% in 40 days in wastewater testing. Polyester and nylon, by contrast, persist for........

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