The denim supply chain is pushing boundaries. Ambivalence toward going green doesn’t hold up anymore. While all companies are focused on getting product to market, they are being urged to add a sustainable lens to their focus. And employees across all levels of a company are responsible to spark that change.

Business leaders are being encouraged to think creatively. One idea is to put a wetland next to a factory. A living ecosystem next to a factory environment means the two things—manufacturing and biology—intersect. A natural system acts as a filtration device for wastewater treatment. This may seem like a farfetched vision but the technology and knowhow exist.

There’s a lot of technical elements but there is the opportunity to overcome the technical challenge and create the traceability that consumers are demanding. Draping, off-the-shoulder and conceptual cutouts elevate denim. Workwear details and A-line silhouettes add structure. Oversized twills, linen, summer blanket materials with a handloom look, feminine quilting and patchwork jacquard add texture and visual interest.

Camouflage and ikat prints offer an outdoorsy feel. Brands can recreate these dye effects through laser printing for a more sustainable solution. The story’s color palette—soft indigos, natural indigos and natural vegetable shades—are well-suited for brands’ eco stories as well.