Data in Fashion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Transparency

In today’s fashion industry, data is more than a buzzword—it’s the backbone of informed decision-making and traceability.

At Fairly Made, we ensure that data from fashion brands is validated, structured, and transformed into impactful insights.

‍

‍

1. Gathering Your Data: Laying the Foundation

‍

The journey begins with your data. Whether sourced from a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system or internal spreadsheets, the initial step is consolidating your product and material information.

This data forms the foundation of traceability and impact assessment. Fashion brands can upload data to our platform via API integrations or files. No matter the format, our priority is ensuring a seamless transfer of your information into our system. On average, 6,000 components are imported into Fairly Made’s platform every month, ensuring a robust base for traceability and impact analysis.

‍

‍

2. Data Validation and Structuring: Turning Inputs into a Usable Framework

‍

Once received, your data undergoes rigorous validation. Our system identifies inconsistencies, cleanses the data, and organizes it into a structured model tailored to your product hierarchy. This involves linking the right components to their respective products using our robust data model.

This meticulous process ensures every detail aligns perfectly, providing a solid basis for subsequent analysis.

‍

‍

3. Supplier Data Collection: Extending the Visibility

‍

To complete the picture, we reach out to your suppliers for their data. Using advanced Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and AI technologies such as machine learning and deep learning, we validate certifications and key supplier details.

Every month, we send 11,000 forms to suppliers to gather the necessary data and certifications. To date, 15,000 certifications have been classified on our platform, enabling brands to have confidence in the accuracy and compliance of their supply chain information.

Our machine learning models operate like a neural network, with each “neuron” passing validated insights to the next, creating a seamless flow of information. This ensures that the data we gather from suppliers is accurate, complete, and ready for integration.

‍

‍

4. Rebuilding the Traceability Tree: Structuring Supply Chain Insights

‍

With both brand and supplier data in hand, we reconstruct your traceability tree. By matching the right supplier information to the correct production stage, we create a comprehensive map of your supply chain.

This tree doesn’t just store information—it’s enriched with every new piece of data, offering a living, dynamic view of your supply chain. 45,000 supply chain steps traced monthly allow for unparalleled transparency and insights into even the most complex supply chains.

‍

‍

5. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Quantifying Environmental Impact

‍

The next step involves analyzing environmental impacts through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Leveraging external databases and our proprietary Fairly Made methodology, we calculate the impact of each element.

Clean, well-organized data ensures precision, with every product component linked to its environmental footprint. This level of insight provides actionable pathways for brands to reduce their environmental impact.

Our tool leverages 502 raw materials and 155 process variations to create highly accurate production chain models based on data collected from suppliers and clients.

‍

‍

6. Making Data Actionable: Dashboards and Reports

‍

Raw data alone is insufficient; it’s actionable insights that drive change. We transform your data into digestible formats, whether you prefer detailed Excel extracts or visually engaging dashboards. Our clients create nearly 5,000 extracts via the Fairly Made platform each year, empowering their CSR and IT teams to monitor performance and share transparent insights with stakeholders.

These outputs empower teams to make informed decisions, track progress, and align with sustainability goals, ensuring a measurable impact across the business.

‍

‍

Empower Your IT and CSR Teams with Fairly Made

‍

By combining cutting-edge technology with deep industry expertise, we transform your raw data into a powerful tool for transparency and sustainability.

With every validation step, traceability tree, and environmental impact calculation, we bring your data to life—making it a catalyst for change in the fashion industry.

Ready to unlock the power of your data? Let’s get started!

‍