Finding yourself in a spin about circular business models? Getting started is simpler than you may think.

Sep 13, 2023 | News

Circular business models are here to shakeup the fashion and textile industry’s current linear approaches…whether you’re ready for them or not.

Whether you’re a well-established brand or a budding start-up, the terms ‘circular fashion’ and ‘circular economy’ are sure to have grabbed you by your shirt sleeves and given you a short, sharp, shock.

Yes, you know the current linear operating model isn’t sustainable for the planet…

Yes, you agree that keeping clothing and textiles in circulation for as long as possible is necessary…

But, the thought of adapting your current model to a circular approach AND still remain profitable, has you spiralling…

Is it even possible?
Where do we begin?
How can we make it work for us?

You’re not alone

Many brands, like yours, are seeking out ways to integrate successful circular business models into their core offerings. Some of you may have already begun piloting different models, for others you’re considering it for the first time.

Whatever your position, we’re here to reassure you – the process is simpler than you may think…

#1 Get an expert you can rely on

Here at QSA Partners we know that you need an expert that you can rely on: after all, it’s your business and reputation we’re talking about.

As trusted industry experts we’ve used our proven methods to deliver results for brands such as adidas, Ted Baker, depop, ASOS, and many more. We are the expert eyes, ears, sounding board and challenge partner that you’ve been looking for to take your business forward into the circular economy.

But, don‘t take our word for it
here’s what some of our previous clients have to say:

“Thanks to the QSA team for being such great challengers, lifting us to the next level!”

David Quass

Global Director Brand Sustainability Strategy | Eco Innovation | Circular, ADIDAS

“The QSA displacement research is a game-changer for us. Not only has it enabled us to evidence the shift in consumer behaviour we are facilitating through our platform; it’s also bringing visibility to how we compare to the rest of the market.’”

Cathy Moscardini

Sustainability Manager, Depop

The transformation from linear to circular doesn’t have to be complex, as long as you have the right resources and support in place. At QSA Partners, we use our 10+ years worth of experience and expertise to help guide you through your unique business proposition to become more circular.

Using our industry expertise, we’ve created our very own 7 Cs of circular business models, which make the transition from linear to circular, both smooth and successful. Find out more here:

Circular business models in fashion: step-by-step guide – QSA Partners Learning

Take your first step in setting your business up for circular success by getting in touch with us today.

Whether you need a question answered or have a whole project ready to be undertaken, we can help. Speak with our experts by clicking the button below.

Get in touch

#2 New Industry Guide

At QSA Partners not only do we help individual businesses, but we’re committed to driving industry-wide change. We’re proud to have worked closely with WRAP over many years, offering our expert advice and guidance.

Our most recent collaboration was as expert contributors to develop the brand new WRAP Circular Business Models Guide For Fashion.

This easy to access guide sets out QSA’s seven-step framework for adopting innovative business models and the practical considerations businesses will need to work through each step of the way. Its clear approach is perfect for all businesses to pick up and use straight away.

Whatever stage you are at in your sustainability journey, WRAP’s guide has practical advice you can apply to your business. And, it’s available for free now.

Click the Download button below to get started.

Download

Still finding yourself in a bit of a spin?

Let us make it simple for you. We’re ready to listen.

Get in touch with us

We’ll help you create a circular business model that meets the needs of your customers, your business and the environment.

Jennifer Decker/

I enable businesses to reduce their business and product impacts from setting out a sustainability strategy to supporting the delivery of circular business models. Businesses I have supported include High Speed 1 Ltd, Cotton Incorporated, Argent, Heathrow Expansion, Northern Trust Bank, EDF New Nuclear Build, EY, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defence.

I specialise on working within an organisation which has included my tenure as sustainability specialist at EDF New Nuclear Build and at WRAP developing their Textiles 2030 agreement and produced their 2030 circular textiles pathway working with the major retailers, reuse & recycling businesses and charities.

Prior to QSA, I was an associate director at Mace Group where I enabled built environment clients to deliver their carbon reduction programmes and sustainable construction strategies by setting measurable KPIs and targets; creating tools to monitor; embed performance standards in procurement and communication.

Previously, I led the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan at WRAP setting the 2020 targets, strategy and implementation for the UK clothing industry.

Kristina Bull /

I led our project with Laudes Foundation and ReLondon on the Circular Fashion Fast Forward project that saw us develop circular models with adidas; FW and Farfetch as well as lay the foundations for Ted Baker’s work in this area.

I am leading the development of a fibre specific recycling programme within Europe which will be launched in early 2022.

I am an apparel durability expert with track record of change implementation at Whistles, ASOS, COS and worked with WRAP and John Lewis to produce a durability and quality guide for brands.

I have advised low carbon, resource efficiency and sustainability strategy development at Heathrow and High Speed 1 Ltd, and continue to lead the support work for HS1 through to their participation at COP26 in November 2021.

Before QSA at WRAP I delivered the market engagement and recruitment drive for the WRAP Halving Waste to Landfill agreement in the built environment sector.

Gerrard Fisher /

I have a strong track record in sustainability with a wide range of clients. My original background is in process and chemical engineering so I’ve been in to process and resource efficiency since graduating a long time ago!

I’ve supported circular business model transformation in companies such as adidas, Argos, ASOS, B&Q (Kingfisher), FARFETCH, FW, Samsung, MuJo Fitness and more: I led a team that created WRAP’s original circular business model project called REBus.

I have extensive experience working with electrical and electronic products, and I worked with many major global brands on improving design for durabiltiy and repairabilitly. Examples of projects I led include:

  • Groundbreaking research into the nature of mercury hazards in flat-panel TVs (leading to industry voluntary labelling)
  • Creation of design guides for retail buyers so they could improve the durability (and reduce warranty costs) of their own-brand products.
  • Delivery of communication campaigns that increased e-waste recycling collections by over 40% in target areas.

Through my past work at WRAP and beyond, I’ve also advised a range of governmental and NGO organisations on resource efficiency, ecodesign and circular economy including Defra, BEIS, Zero Waste Scotland, ReLondon and Oxfordshire County Council. I provide technical advisory and independent expert advice to UKRI, the European Commission, the US Government’s Department of Energy.

I get a kick out of helping businesses understand and meet their customers’ needs better - whether that’s through better business models, better product design or better communication and transparency.

This has also led me to take an interest in privacy and data management - which can be a big barrier to people reusing and recycling some of their old electrical stuff. As a result, I set up a business called Astrid to provide cost-effective privacy advice to small businesses so they can better protect their customer information.

Mark Hodgson /

I specialise on the innovation and proposition development of new customer orientated, commercially driven circular and sharing business model to market. I have a particular experience of working on circular models with sectors that are impacted by the change in lifestyles, consumption, digital mobility, electric infrastructure and NetZero, on place. Examples range from retail; IKEA, adidas, B&Q, ASOS, FarFetch, developers and OEM’s; Landsec & Samsung, mobility; Riversimple, HS1 & Co Cars and authorities; Oxford County Council and Exeter Velocities/Exeter City Council. Across all of these, I have helped deliver the propositions, services, operations and infrastructure to enable deployment. 

As a director of Co-cars, multi-modal shared e-mobility provider of EV cars, e-bikes and e-cargo bikes, I have first-hand experience of the impact and change this market can have on people and place, through working with local authorities and housing developers. 

I understand what processes and techniques to apply, how to encourage growth and change mindsets, and how to build a customer-focused, commercially viable business model that delivers circular and environmental benefits. My background is business development, technology and markets having worked for international companies to local SMEs. I've worked in a wide range of projects from global business propositions, sales as a service, sharing and circular business models, ‘low carbon’ LEP economic strategies, climate change adaptation, renewable energy, clean tech sector development and public sector partnerships to technical research, international development and project delivery management.

Being a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and geographer at heart I've worked on sustainable development projects and film productions in locations in Africa, Asia and Europe.