Today, audiences are shaping the cultural agenda. Empowered to speak up for the causes they believe in, people are actively calling out brands they see as inauthentic. What are the main drivers of this behavioural shift? And how can brands win the trust of these outspoken advocates?

As people realise the eco and socio-economic cost of the fashion industry, both brands and shoppers are reevaluating their role in it. To keep things green and community-focused, designer Thebe Magugu prioritises local production and local talent – from textile mills to printmakers to pleaters.

As part of a push to demonstrate sustainability, Nestlé has made it possible for consumers to track product supply chains using blockchain technology. With people growing increasingly concerned about the journey their food makes from farm to aisle, brands are stepping up their transparency efforts.

Can luxury brands remain relevant in an ever-changing climate? Is slow fashion the future of luxury? How are Gen Zers revolutionising the meaning of luxe? In this part of the 2021 Expert Outlook, we speak to three experts about how people are rewriting the rules of luxury.

With fashion in flux, people are looking for alternative leaders to initiate meaningful change. Bethany Williams’ approach, which goes beyond sustainable fabrics to encompass social enterprise, is a lesson for all sectors in how to create a truly human brand for the pandemic age.