LONDON — Kering is collaborating with the Center for Sustainable Fashion, a University of the Arts research facility based at London College of Fashion, on a new three-year program called ‘Governance for Tomorrow’. I launched it.
The new program, which marks 10 years of partnership between Gucci owners and LCF, will address governance in the luxury fashion industry, which lacks considered measures to lead sustainable change, according to the Center for Sustainable Fashion. The purpose is to
Over three years, the program aims to harness creativity as a tool to break down barriers, convening experts from academia, luxury fashion and NGOs to foster new and alternative governance models. Swedish scientist Johan Rockström’s call for interspecies, intergenerational, and intragenerational justice is used here as a basis for realizing safe and just Earth system boundaries.
The program, which began with an open call from the Center for Sustainable Fashion and will run until November 27, invites changemakers across industries to join Governance for Tomorrow’s stewardship committee. It will act as a think tank and advise the luxury fashion industry on its mission to create alternative governance models.
Following the research and knowledge exchange phase, ‘Governance for Tomorrow’ will launch educational programs that will provide sector-specific skills, competencies and interdisciplinary knowledge to fashion industry leaders and professionals.
“In the words of Amitabh Ghosh, the climate crisis is a crisis of culture and therefore of imagination,” said Dilys Williams, director of the Center for Sustainable Fashion.
“Through the coming together of imagination and curiosity, we have created a prototype of a framework and practice based on the true rules of flourishing, and we have missed out on a commitment to nature and a better life as the basis of thriving luxury fashion. “We’re going to pivot from the rules invented by the sector,” Williams added.
Marie-Claire Davout, Chief Sustainability and Institutional Officer at Kering, said the program “redefines governance practices in the luxury goods sector by putting sustainability, equity and social justice at the center.” He said this marks an important milestone in the group’s efforts.
“At Kering, integrating sustainability into our highest-level governance models is essential to addressing the environmental and social challenges facing the fashion industry, while ensuring a more responsible future for generations to come. I believe that,” Davout said.
The Center for Sustainable Fashion argues that, although some progress has been made in recent years, fashion has a number of important sustainability goals, including responsible production and consumption, decarbonizing supply chains and ensuring a living wage for garment workers. He touted the arrival of governance for tomorrow at a time when we continue to lag behind on issues of concern.
The report notes that the planet is approaching a dangerous tipping point and that “a massive collective effort will be needed over the next five years to address the dual crises of climate and nature.” Reference is made to the WWF Living Planet report.
An industry report says extreme weather could put an estimated $65 billion in apparel exports at risk by 2030, citing slow progress on environmental and social issues. Recent news that investors are exiting a number of fashion companies highlights the urgent need for the fashion industry to: Exploring alternative governance frameworks as a business and social imperative.
Kering and London College of Fashion first partnered in 2014 to support sustainable design and viable innovation in the fashion industry.
Other fashion companies have formed similar education and sustainability partnerships in the UK.
Central Saint Martins has had a multi-year partnership with LVMH Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy since 2017. This investment provides funding for additional scholarships and sustainability and innovation programs.
It was through this partnership that Swiss designer Kevin Germania was discovered and ultimately the driving force behind Prelude, the first collection made from 100 percent upcycled materials from the LVMH house. It was unveiled at LVMH headquarters during Paris Fashion Week.
Chanel recently expanded its sustainability partnership with the University of Cambridge. The brand said around 500 leaders and key operational team members across Chanel will take part in the university’s bespoke executive education program on topics including biodiversity, climate change and the efficient use of materials. It is said that they are doing so.
