The final installment of a four-part series, CFDA examined unique approaches to road-mapping sustainable priorities, strategies and action with Lauren Croke, consultant and a mentor for the CFDA + Lexus Fashion* Initiative and the author of the Sustainable Strategies Toolkit.

Case 4: A CFDA member contemporary clothing and accessories brand embed sustainable values company-wide

As is the case with many companies, sustainability for this contemporary brand started as a daunting path with complex information that was difficult to navigate. The importance and priority for this work, however, came straight from the top where the designer and executive team felt it imperative to integrate sustainable values throughout the company culture and business model.

After sharing information and learning more about impacts and innovations, the leaders of this brand determined their initial focus would address human rights and environmental impacts across design and development, fibers and materials, production, workplace and packaging. However, with still a long list of priorities, this brand decided to further simplify its strategies in order to determine a clear and focused direction, set measurable goals and begin to make change.

“They are passionate about people and see themselves as global citizens,” explains Sustainability Consultant, Lauren Croke. “Whichever path they start on first and foremost needs to include and engage their people and provide a greater awareness of sustainability.”

With many areas to consider throughout this work, this brand is first setting the tone and foundation for change by demystifying sustainability and embedding it across business operations. The brand recognized that their greatest momentum would come from creating a culture of sustainability starting at the employee level. They plan to activate their people with opportunities developed to educate, engage and align the community to co-create commitments to sustainable strategies and values.

The Company’s Plans:

• Survey employees for their thoughts/opinions about sustainability
• Share stories about their factories and the people who make their product
• Create company-wide workshops and education opportunities for employees
• Integrate environmental awareness into the workplace

Conclusion:

By cultivating shared awareness, you make sustainability accessible to all employees and partners throughout your workplace and supply chain. Employees become empowered to co-create the priorities and engage in the agenda. Through sharing of information and learning, plans for change can be outlined with details and clarity to enable contributions from across the company. With a community purpose and shared values, the workplace has meaning and sustainability can then be embedded throughout your company value chain.