With mentions of sustainability reports, B-Corps launching brands’ to put profit and impact on the same scale and terms like carbon neutrality making its way onto clothing labels, it feels as though the entire fashion industry is doubling down on sustainability. But, with decades worth of research and activists and scientists sounding the alarms about climate change, why does it feel as if these changes are only coming about now?
Being a responsible business has become a really current topic. There’s a lot of talk about it, but not necessarily measurable action.
In this video, Imran Amed leads the conversation about sustainable fashion with representatives from one of the world’s largest luxury conglomerates; Kering. As the parent company of recognizable brands like Gucci or Balenciaga, Kering has quietly reexamined its impact and re-envisioned its brands as luxury brands that are also ethical and environmentally-friendly. Amed goes behind the scenes talking to the minds behind some of these changes while also highlighting the negative impacts that have finally brought the fashion industry to weave together a new path towards environmental responsibility.
While sustainable fashion is a trend that has finally caught on with force over the last few years in the fashion industry, Ahmed is quick to note that fashion heavyweights like Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney have long advocated for systemic change within the fashion industry and both designers have tried to make their brands more sustainable. Now, as more voices in the industry join in on the conversation about the environment, it remains to be seen just how it can shift to finally being sustainable.
“Creating a more sustainable fashion industry will require a wholesale shift in creative, business and operating models…. strong regulators and ethical investors. And, companies across the industry must work together. But, ultimately, it will require making, selling and buying fewer clothes.”
