FASHION FEATURE
BY MADELAINE FOURIE
What we wear every day is the result of an unseen global supply chain that begins far earlier than most people realise and increasingly raises questions about fabrics.
In many cases, it starts in a forest plantation. Wood is processed into dissolving pulp, exported, converted into fibre elsewhere, and made into fabric. By the time it reaches a store, that origin is no longer visible.
For decades, the fashion industry has operated at that distance. Supply chains are long, complex, and spread out, allowing the focus to remain on trend, price, and speed. That is changing. Viscose and lyocell are used because of how they perform: breathable and versatile. These fibres are derived from wood in a world of fossil fuel-based synthetics.
In South Africa, this process is supported by a forestry and manufacturing base. Sappi produces dissolving wood pulp that feeds into global textile supply chains, linking local production to international fashion markets. At the same time, expectations around how these supply chains operate are shifting. Consumers are asking more questions and regulators are introducing stricter requirements. Broad statements about sustainability are no longer enough. There must be evidence if something is“ responsibly sourced”.
Traceability is key. It is about being able to follow a material from origin to final product. That means understanding how plantations are managed, how materials are sourced, and how they move through production. Certification frameworks play a role, but their value depends on consistent, visible application.
52 INBOUND SA / AUGUST 2026