Are we entering a climate-adaptive fashion era?
REPORT
5 Oct 2026
Are we entering a climate-adaptive fashion era?

As summer heatwaves grow more intense and more erratic, people are no longer just dressing for seasons – they’re increasingly shopping with climate-adaptation needs top of mind. But as thermal resilience becomes a wardrobe priority, brands need to design beyond apocalyptic prepper tropes.

Analysis

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Fru Bekefi

Fru Bekefi is a cultural researcher and artist with a soft spot for trends that sound weird today but pave the way toward preferable futures. She helps people and organisations understand the signals, drivers, and implications of cultural and behavioural change. When not at work, you’ll probably find her down a niche research rabbit hole, an exhibition, or embroidering something sparkly.

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J’Nae Phillips

J’Nae Phillips is a freelance London-based editor, fashion columnist, trend analyst and cultural researcher. She has previously worked for Condé Nast, Hearst Magazines UK, The NET-A-PORTER Group, Selfridges, Burberry and Canvas8. She has been published in Teen Vogue, SCREENSHOT, Polyester Zine, DAMN Magazine, Archer, Dazed Beauty, Dirt and Darklight.

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Jason Lee

Jason Kai Wei Lee co-leads the Human Potential Translational Research Programme and directs the Heat Resilience & Performance Centre. He has been a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine since 2012. Jason co-chairs the Heat Injury Clinical Practice Guidelines at the Ministry of Health, Singapore, and chairs the Scientific Committee on Thermal Factors at the International Commission on Occupational Health. He serves on the management committee of the Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN) and leads the WHO-WMO GHHIN Southeast Asia Hub to scale up efforts to manage the complex health risks posed by rising ambient temperatures.