Scaling Sustainable Innovation in Fashion: An Honest Conversation with ISAIC CEO Jen Guarino
“I'm here because the innovation side is what really inspires me, but I think this is actually the intersection of environmental sustainability impact with the human side, and there's so much opportunity there to drive change.” - Event Attendee
On September 22, 2025, ISAIC’s CEO, President, and Co-Founder Jen Guarino convened leaders in fashion, manufacturing, investment, and innovation for a closed-door session in New York. The conversation tackled a critical question: why do sustainable solutions stall in pilot phase, and what’s needed to achieve scale?
This roundtable marks the start of a global tour, with upcoming sessions in Los Angeles and abroad, all aimed at addressing the systemic barriers that prevent innovation from scaling.
Key Barriers and Opportunities
Pilot Purgatory: Promising innovations often stall due to fragmented demand, siloed decision-making, and misaligned KPIs.
Capital on the Sidelines: Investment exists but is underused without standardized financing tools and shared-risk structures.
Collaboration vs. Competition: Competing on sustainability prevents economies of scale; collaboration is essential.
Manufacturing Gaps: U.S. facilities face high costs and aging infrastructure, but automation and shared facilities could restore competitiveness.
End-of-Life Opportunities: Recycling, reuse, and AI-driven inventory optimization offer immediate, scalable impact.
Key Takeaways
Scaling is a business model challenge, not a technology challenge.
Shared procurement and pooled financing unlock cost savings and capital flow.
CFO-ready ROI dashboards can tie sustainability directly to financial performance.
Circularity can be revenue neutral—or even accretive—when focused on high-volume products.
The biggest unlock: cross-industry collaboration among brands, investors, and manufacturers.
Closing Thoughts
The barriers to scaling innovation aren’t scientific or consumer-driven—they’re structural. Fragmented procurement, misaligned incentives, and outdated manufacturing systems leave promising solutions stuck in pilot phase. That’s where ISAIC comes in. Guided by our three pillars—Innovation, Skilling, and Workplace Culture—we drive real change by acting as a neutral convener and implementation partner. Our role is to bridge gaps, align stakeholders, and build the infrastructure needed to move from pilots to true scale.
If you’re interested in continuing the dialogue or collaborating on solutions, reach out at innovation@isaic.org.