Stamp My Passport

Blockchain technology is one technological development that could increase the amount of information about a garment. It can trace the item’s journey from creation to purchases if the technology is widely used throughout the industry and brands collaborate. The technology would increase transparency and authenticate merchandise by creating product passports, which are a centralized data bank of digitally recorded information about the product. Information could include past locations through the supply chain and beyond, the materials used, the carbon footprint, etc. These product passports would encourage more consumers and brands to participate in resale to minimize waste. 

A few luxury brands like Prada and Richemont joined the Aura Blockchain Consortium, building upon the technology that LVMH, Microsoft, and Consensys developed in 2019.  The technology creates a unique digital ID for each product to help consumers identify genuine merchandise and verify ethical and sustainable practices. The Fashion Industry Taskforce consisting of executives from Burberry, Chloé and Giorgio Armani also recently announced a digital ID system through which the credentials of a product could be traced. However, these groups only focus on luxury brands and even fail to incorporate the majority of luxury brands. Brands and partners must unite and agree upon common standards for the technology to work.  The industry is a global industry, and many supply chains cross international borders. 

The technology can also be used by brands outside of the luxury market to verify that the merchandise adheres to high ethical standards and verify authenticity.

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