Projects

Supplin

Supplin pursues sustainability in the fashion industry by promoting a transparent supply chain. We check the overall manufacturing process through not only certifications, but also the facilities and varied evidence.

Collaborative

STUDENTS INVOLVED

Minkyeong Shin

Hwangjoo Kim

ABOUT

How might we guarantee the sustainability and transparency of the garment production industry, with a lower cost burden, and provoke the fashion industry to be environmentally conscious?

Supplin mainly intervenes between sustainable fashion brands and manufacturers, which will also affect the relationship between producers and consumers. As a digital platform, Supplin provides four main functions: sustainable market news, matching manufacturers, supply chain information, and Guideline & consulting services. In the sustainable fashion industry, we take the role of a new research platform as well as being a new channel to meet partners. Supplin enables ethically produced products to gain a strong competitive edge besides the price. Through this, Supplin will increase the accessibility of information on sustainable fashion by improving ethical decision making of fashion brands and consumers.

Platform design

Regarding Supplin’s main service, firstly, we share sustainable market information to fashion brands, but what is different from other similar services is that we regularly update information, such as the potential of using innovative materials. Secondly, when we match fashion brands with manufacturers, we try to match them with manufacturers with similar values. Close location is also an essential factor to reduce the logistical cost and maintain the bond with partners. Thirdly, through the guideline and consulting service, we suggest the next step towards sustainability based on Supplin’s goals. This would be helpful for brands who are planning a new sustainable line.

Supplin Goals & Guidelines

In order to clarify the direction of the service, we established four Supplin goals, which are set based on the relevant UN Sustainable development goals. Goal 1. Supplin pursues resource efficiency. This means the use of natural resources, energy, and water should be efficient and minimized. Goal 2. Responsible pollution and disposal, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the use of harmful substances. Waste management and water and gas purification are crucial factors. Goal 3. Supplin believes that ‘transparency and traceability’ is a way to achieve sustainability. We ask producers to disclose their supply chain. Goal 4. Forming sustainable communities not only among industry players but also with customers is what Supplin expects from the users. Using Supplin’s goals as a standard, we have developed methodologies. Now we are ready to give consultation services, suggesting the next steps for fashion brands towards sustainability. The guidelines will be applied based on each brand’s focus area.

Value Proposition

Supplin provides 4 main functions through the website. Brands (like Sua, our first persona) who are searching for suitable partners and wanted to gain trust without certification are our main target users. Supplin suggests the ‘Matching manufacturers’ service and provides a venue for disclosing the trustworthy supply chain. In detail, when we provide the ‘Matching manufacturers’ service, producers located nearby and having shared values is crucial. It enables long-term partnerships to be built and maintains the early intention of production. When startup fashion brands (like Jun, the second persona) are having trouble collecting reliable information, the ‘market news’ page is a helpful research method for them. Moreover, Supplin can give them ‘guidance and consultation’ to improve their own sustainability. Lastly, for the brands who are searching for the next sustainable lines, accessing others’ supply chain information and using the consulting service is useful. Supplin enables them to quickly catch up with the market movement and meet experts.

Change of Relationships

From the fist-bumping campaign with fashion brands and manufacturers, Supplin expects to change the vertical relationship into a parallel one. Empowering both sides enables active cooperation, which is connected to finding better ways to change the environmentally unfriendly industry. Once there is a strong bond between sustainable fashion brands and ethically producing manufacturers, they will be more collective, drawing in conscious consumers. Lastly, the next step is becoming an embracing community.

Ecosystem

This ecosystem map shows what we mean by the embracing community. Brands and manufacturers, who were not prioritizing the eco-friendly production, are soaked into our ecosystem. As a result, the sustainable fashion industry is extended. Furthermore, with more and better choices in the market, the consumers might consider sustainability, hesitating once before purchasing clothes.

Projects

Supplin

Supplin Goals & Guidelines

Value Proposition

students involved on the project