Italians want more transparency from fashion brands on how their business impacts the environment and their workers. Most pertinently, most say they wouldn't buy from brands associated with pollution and bad working conditions.

Reports indicate that brands could be the subject of consumer ire if they tip-toe around important social issues. With our societies becoming increasingly polarised, people have come to expect public-facing companies to take a side on important issues or risk losing their custom altogether.

As fast fashion begins to fall out of favour due to mounting ethical and environmental concerns, the market for second-hand clothing is surging. But how exactly can buying pre-loved apparel help people live more sustainably? And what other factors are fuelling the resale segment?

As the digital and physical worlds of fashion continue to fuse, the industry is innovating to offer engaging, immersive experiences. With people's interest in sustainability and technology rising, retail spaces and campaigns are turning virtual – meaning the emperor’s new clothes just got real.