Ecodesign Solution for Fashion: 3 Tech Challenges Behind It

Developing a robust, tech-driven solution for the fashion industry demands precision, innovation, and a deep understanding of complex challenges. At Fairly Made, we’ve combined advanced engineering with a commitment to sustainability to launch our new Ecodesign solution.

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This tool is designed to empower fashion brands with the ability to lower their environmental impact through data-driven insights and real-time simulations. Creating such a complex module required addressing and solving several unique technical demands. Below, we delve into the three major challenges we faced and how we tackled them.

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1. Real-Time Data Processing

One of the standout features of the Ecodesign solution is its ability to process Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) calculations in real time. Achieving this required coding a high-performance LCA engine capable of delivering results in less than a millisecond—a feat that is computationally intense as it calcultes 16 impacts based on hundreds of data points.

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We chose Rust, a programming language known for its speed and memory efficiency, to ensure our calculations are both rapid and precise. Within the Ecodesign solution, users can view a complete LCA with all criteria explicitly detailed and updated in real time. The engine dynamically adjusts impact calculations whenever there’s a change in a product’s supply chain—ensuring brands always have up-to-date environmental metrics at their fingertips.

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2. Generating Consistent Simulations from Diverse Data Sources

Ensuring that each simulation is coherent and reliable required integrating data from a variety of sources. These include product-specific data provided by brands, such as garment categories, compositions, weights, and raw materials.

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Additionally, we leverage supplier information collected through Fairly Made’s proprietary forms, encompassing supplier locations and process-specific techniques. Our R&D work on standard garment manufacturing processes further enriches the data pool, alongside external databases like the Empreinte database.

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Finally, the module adapts dynamically to any modifications made by the user during simulations, ensuring results remain aligned with their initial objectives while maintaining consistency across all inputs. This multi-source integration guarantees that the simulations are not only comprehensive but also tailored to the user’s needs.

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3. Optimizing User Experience

Building a user-friendly interface for such a technically complex tool required a meticulous focus on UX. Key priorities included enabling real-time parameter adjustments, where users can modify product criteria and instantly see updated impact indicators. Products are pre-sorted by environmental impact, offering users a guided experience while retaining full search control.

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Unlimited simulations allow users to test multiple scenarios and sort results by sustainability. Additionally, we integrated the module into the broader platform to avoid tool switching and ensured the existing product’s impact is always visible as a benchmark for comparison.

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Why Ecodesign Matters

Beyond the technical challenges, the Ecodesign solution is a game-changer for brands aiming to improve their environmental footprint. The result? Lower-impact collections that align with both consumer demand and regulatory requirements—without compromising creativity.

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Robust tech solutions are the cornerstone of true innovation. With the Ecodesign solution, we’re not just offering a tool—we’re unlocking a transformative opportunity for fashion brands to completely rethink their design process. The real challenge lies in the ultimate goal: empowering brands to lead the charge toward a sustainable future, where creativity and environmental responsibility are seamlessly intertwined.

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