For Prabal Gurung, sustainability and social responsibility have always been central to his eponymous brand’s DNA. Gurung has “always felt that working with local artisans, whether here in the Garment District or in Nepal, is incredibly important for local economies.”

Through the CFDA/Lexus Fashion* Initiative, Gurung and his nine fellow designer finalists have been exposed to a vast array of sustainable business practices, from material innovation to responsible supply-chain management. “It was a lot to digest at first, but once we determined what our focuses were, we have been able to work closely with our mentors to implement better practices,” he said of his Fashion* Initiative journey to date.

Those focuses have meant deepening his relationships with the brand’s factories in Nepal “to promote sustainably sourced fashion.” In return, close relationships with the factories have exposed the Nepal native to the difficulties of implementing sustainable business practices across a global supply chain. He shares the challenges encountered by factories on their journey to providing sustainable services to designers. “While in the long-term proper machinery can save factories significantly, many of them do not have the economic resources to support the implementation of new processes,” he said.

In spite of roadblocks, Gurung is optimistic about the coexistence of sustainability and fashion. “My hope,” he noted, “is that with proper education on what sustainability truly means, the fashion industry will become more and more aware of how to implement change.”

For brands embarking on their own sustainability journey, Gurung is a firm believer that there isn’t a universal approach that applies to all brands. As Gurung put it, “Everyone is unique and needs to further their [own] definition of sustainability.”

See more of the CFDA/Lexus Fashion* Initiative sustainability story by following #ReDesignFashion.