Whether it's chipped furniture, ‘ugly’ food or unconventional beauty, societal mindsets are shifting to a greater acceptance of imperfection. With Eastern spirituality influencing Western lifestyles, can the spirit of Zen help brands connect with a generation that’s done trying to be perfect?

Eco-conscious consumers may say they’ll only buy sustainable food and fashion, but their actions don’t always match their words. Canvas8 spoke to Rebecca Walker Reczek, associate professor of marketing at the Fisher College of Business, to find out why we’re wilfully ignorant of ethical issues.

Three-quarters of women see second-hand clothing as being identical in quality to new garments – and some even consider it to be more valuable. Sustainable fashion brand Ace & Jig is tapping into this sentiment through timeless design, free repairs and fan-centric swap parties.

Gen Zers may use the web to share memes and post their meals, but their exposure to social media and 24/7 news means they’re also well aware of major global issues like climate change. In the first of a two-part report, we explore how sustainability has become a way of life for this cohort.