One of the biggest problems in the fashion industry lies in its structures—or rather, in their complexity. Not only are they difficult to understand for outsiders, but they're also a mystery to many companies themselves. The individual steps behind a garment's production are often unknown.

Most brands today no longer operate like manufacturers, but rather like marketing agencies and retailers. They have long since lost direct contact with production and technical know-how—they have outsourced them. The result: opaque processes.

What outsourcing looks like today

The entire chain—from design to logistics—is often outsourced to external companies. A typical process looks like this: A European headquarters decides which products should be included in the next season. A sourcing company in Hong Kong receives the order. The design is passed on to another company, which prepares a proposal. After approval by the headquarters, the sourcing company organizes production through additional service providers and coordinates transport and logistics.

The raw materials? That's rarely discussed. Even distribution is often outsourced. What's left is marketing.

The great ignorance

The result: No single actor in this chain has a complete overview. The individual stages often don't even know their immediate predecessors. This fragmentation across countries, time zones, and cultures not only makes the system inefficient but also prevents any form of control and accountability.

Why proximity is key

In such structures, standards become an illusion – whether they concern working conditions or raw materials. And often, companies don't seem to care. It's the cheaper route. Perhaps also the more convenient one, because it obscures responsibility.

What's needed is proximity: geographically and organizationally. This is the only way to create transparency. This is the only way to truly ensure quality. This won't happen without companies' willingness to take responsibility. And without consumers who want to make informed decisions.