AI-enhanced software can predict and optimize logistics to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions; however, there is no evidence of any fashion-specific technologies in this space.
There are a number of technologies that aim to unravel complex supply chains to improve transparency and verification of data, protecting brand reputations and helping businesses to comply with ESG regulations. Many are based on blockchain, while others use physical marker technologies or forensic science to prove product origin. While blockchain systems store information in a reliable way, they assume input of correct information and lack a connection to the physical item itself, which may go through many processes of transformation, from cotton field to retail store. If fibers are mixed or exchanged at any one point in the supply chain, only a physical marker system would be able to detect it.
There are also many SaaS platforms focused on powering the circular economy through recommerce opportunities such as branded resale that can be integrated into the retailer’s website. Others aim to reduce resource waste from overproduction by more accurately forecasting trends and consumer demand.
Finally, several technologies address the returns challenge in fashion ecommerce by providing styling suggestions or accurate size recommendations and virtual try-on options to increase shopper confidence, for example with an AI-based stylist, size recommendation using augmented reality/virtual reality/AI or mobile body-scanning technology.
Technology solutions
Blockchain traceability platform for fabrics
Textile Genesis (Database ID 148782)The TextileGenesis™ SaaS platform makes sustainable fabrics fully traceable throughout an entire fashion supply chain. It is custom built for premium and sustainable textiles such as wood-based fibers, sustainable cotton, recycled polyester, specialty filaments, silk, wool and cashmere. It aims to deliver radical transparency from fiber to retail, and prove the authenticity and provenance of sustainable textiles against generics throughout the material lifecycle at product-article and lot-level to industry fiber standards using proprietary digital token traceability technology. TextileGenesis™ was one of five winners of H&M Foundation’s Global Change Award in 2020 and the development of the technology has benefited from scaled pilots with global retailers such as H&M and Bestseller. The company has partnered with other leading organizations in the sustainable supply chain landscape including textile mills, sustainable fiber producers, ESG standards and industry organizations to drive scalability in traceability.
Contracting type: For sale
Readiness level (TRL): Scaling up (TRL 9)
Country of origin: Hong Kong, China
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database
DNA markers to trace and authenticate products along supply chains
Haelixa (Database ID 148821)Haelixa physically tags source fibers using DNA technology to ensure supply chain transparency and product integrity. The DNA marker creates a unique and reliable fingerprint, with the origin and journey information safely embedded into the product at all times giving a forensic proof of the origin, authenticity and integrity of the product. The marker is dissolved in liquid and then sprayed onto the textile product. The application can easily be integrated into existing automated production processes and is harmless yet strong enough to withstand all industrial processing. Forensic testing proves the origin, authenticity and integrity of the product, ensuring that the materials used are those claimed and proving sustainability statements. Haelixa has won over 20 awards and was the overall winner and sustainability winner at leading sports industry trade show ISPO Munich’s startup competition ISPO Brandnew Founders Fight in 2023. The company works with brands, retailers and industry associations including C&A, OVS, the Woolmark Company and Cotton Connect.
Contracting type: For sale
Readiness level (TRL): Scaling up (TRL 9)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database
Traceability technology using forensic and data science to verify the origin of products and raw materials
Oritain (Database ID 148802)Founded in 2008, Oritain’s methodology is based on analytical chemistry and employs forensic and data science to measure product origin by detecting naturally occurring elements (isotopes and trace elements) in a product or raw material to create a unique chemical fingerprint that is then stored on a database and is tamperproof. Product or material samples can be tested at different points in the supply chain using statistical models to verify the sample against the origin fingerprint. Because the technology measures what is inside the material, rather than relying on labels or applications onto the material, the fingerprint is tamperproof and cannot be replicated or destroyed, so can be used to ensure compliance with regulations such as the US’s Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Oritain raised USD 57 million in funding in 2023 to further develop the technology and expand into new markets and industries. It counts global fashion brands such as Country Road, Shein, Theory and Lacoste, as well as garment manufacturers, textile producers and industry associations, among its clients.
Contracting type: For sale
Readiness level (TRL): Scaling up (TRL 9)
Country of origin: New Zealand
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database
Digital resale solutions for brands and retailers
Reflaunt (Database ID 148816)Founded in 2018, Reflaunt is a white-label resale platform that creates branded online marketplaces for fashion brands and retailers to take back and resell preowned clothing and accessories. The technology connects brand websites to secondhand marketplaces and enables consumers to resell past purchases on the brand’s website to earn shopping credits. Items are given a second life, supporting a shift toward a circular fashion business model. Reflaunt raised USD 11 million in its first round of funding in 2022 and is part of LVMH’s accelerator initiative La Maison des Startups, which aims to bring innovations to the luxury market. The technology offers different service levels from concierge resale, take-back, access to distribution network, and branded resale, and is aimed at premium and luxury brands, with clients including Harvey Nichols, Net-a-Porter, Balenciaga and Ganni.
Contracting type: For sale
Readiness level (TRL): Scaling up (TRL 9)
Country of origin: Singapore
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database
White-label technology intelligently routes, identifies, prices and lists items
Trove (Database ID 148779)Established as a peer-to-peer resale platform in 2012, Trove pivoted to a B2B business model in 2016 and offers AI-based white-label technology and end-to-end operations to power branded resale for premium and luxury brands. In 2017, it partnered with Patagonia, Eileen Fisher and REI, which were the pioneers of branded resale. Since then, the company has set up partnerships with other brands such as Lululemon, Levi’s and Canada Goose, supporting them to keep high-quality, durable items in use for longer. The company is a B Corp and has raised over USD 122.5 million in funding to enable its vision to scale resale solutions for a circular fashion business. The technology uses computer vision and machine learning algorithms to identify and optimize pricing and merchandising options for millions of unique items in every part of their circular journey. For items that are not sellable, Trove provides access to a network of “next best use” organizations. Trove also provides item-level sustainability metrics on emissions savings and waste diverted from landfill to its partners.
Contracting type: For sale
Readiness level (TRL): Scaling up (TRL 9)
Country of origin: United States
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database
Image-based predictive analytics software to reduce overproduction
Heuritech (Database ID 148632)Founded in 2013, Heuritech uses AI to analyze real-world images shared on social media to generate actionable insights that help fashion brands forecast trends and consumer demand more accurately. By producing only what people want to buy, brands can optimize sell-through and reduce overproduction and unsold stock based on inaccurate predictions. Its image recognition technology is capable of scanning over 3 million images a day, applying deep learning techniques to recognize over 3,000 fashion details such as colors, shapes or materials. The company’s ultimate aim is to build a computer vision pipeline that can analyze clothing very precisely and at scale from millions of images each day. It won the inaugural LVMH Innovation Award in 2017, which enabled a strategic focus on the luxury sector, and counts many luxury fashion and sportswear brands among its clients, including Dior, Louis Vuitton, Moncler and Adidas.
Contracting type: For sale
Readiness level (TRL): Scaling up (TRL 9)
Country of origin: France
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database
Mobile body-scanning technology using a smartphone
3DLOOK (Database ID 148780)Established in 2016, 3DLOOK is a user-friendly SaaS product that enables brands and retailers to digitally measure customers’ bodies for size and fit recommendations and virtual try-on. The technology accurately measures the customer’s shape and size using just two photos on any background and provides data-driven size and fit recommendations and photorealistic virtual try-on for in-store or online shopping, increasing consumer shopping confidence and helping brands to reduce returns.
Contracting type: For sale
Readiness level (TRL): Scaling up (TRL 9)
Country of origin: United States
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database
Web based software for supply chain traceability with blockchain
Satma CE (Database ID 148788)Satma CE, a cloud-based SaaS application, utilizes blockchain technology to establish end-to-end traceability in the waste-to-value supply chain, addressing complexities in waste management. Developed by the India-based Satma CE, the software tackles challenges in traceability by recording data throughout stages like collection, segregation, recycling and processing. The system introduces modules for enhanced traceability in waste collection and segregation, including monitoring financial inclusion of waste-picker entrepreneurs. It meticulously records details like waste quantities, workforce requirements, material quality checks and batch sales, improving vendor evaluation. Brands using materials from reclaimed waste can now achieve complete traceability, not just of products but also of the environmental and social impact, marking a significant breakthrough in the waste management sector.
Contracting type: For sale
Readiness level (TRL): Scaling up (TRL 9)
Country of origin: India
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database