4 High Fashion Brands Striving To Go Green In 2023
In 2023, the fashion industry is still responsible for over 10% of all global carbon emissions. That’s even more than maritime shipping and international flights combined. Read here for fashion brands that are aiming to go green in 2023.
From resource depletion to pollution and packaging waste, fast fashion retailers are some of the biggest carbon emission culprits on the planet. As the globe pushes towards a sustainable future and a worldwide net zero by 2050, the fashion industry has a long journey ahead if it wants to remain on track for success.
It’s no secret that consumer attitudes to fashion are also evolving. 58% of online shoppers are now willing to pay more for sustainable clothing. Driving change amongst industry giants, 2023 looks more promising than ever as high fashion retailers like Gucci and Stella McCartney begin to accommodate a greener audience.
Stick with us as we discuss the fall of fast fashion, and reveal four luxury brands that have taken sustainability under their wing in 2023.
Gucci’s “Culture of Purpose”
High fashion retailer Gucci will continue to commit itself to sustainability in 2023. After releasing its “Culture of Purpose” business model in 2015, the luxury brand has committed itself to a series of sustainable goals to achieve by 2025.
Setting a list of targets to generate positive change for both the planet and its consumers, Gucci aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 40% and invest in a number of transparent, ethically sourced materials to aid a greener manufacturing process.
“Gucci is driven by the issues that are fundamentally influencing and creating our collective future,” claims CEO and President of Gucci, Marco Bizzarri. “We are committed to generating positive change for people and for nature across our business.”
This year, the company are introducing recycled nylon organic cotton and Econyl, a material made from old fishing nets, to their production process and aims to create products that encourage consumers to ‘spend on sustainability’.
Stella McCartney’s Leather Alternative
Stella McCartney is no stranger to sustainability. The brand already uses recycled polyester and organic cotton in its products but is now introducing its newest natural material MIRUM® to the mix in 2023.
With over 70 million barrels of oil now used a year to produce synthetic material for the fashion industry, Stella McCartney has partnered with Natural Fibre Welding (NFW) to release a plastic and fossil fuel free-alternative to regular animal leather called MIRUM®.
“As change agents and activists, we are forging a new way forward with MIRUM® and our material innovations,” claim designers at Stella McCartney. “Our goal is for all our virgin natural fibres to be sourced using regenerative materials backed by scientific measurements and data.”
As the driving factor behind their newest collection of bags and purses, Stella McCartney hopes to create a fully sustainable line that will go live in the summer of 2023. Whether you browse their shades, cross-body bags or famous Skyla platform sandals, the brand ensures that each product is made with the patent in mind.
“We are committed to always being responsible, honest and accountable today, with a positive impact on people, the planet and all its creatures so that we can protect it for tomorrow.”
Burberry’s Green Packaging
Burberry was recently recognised as one of the key climate leaders in the ICAEW-backed 2021 Finance for the Future Awards. From raising finances to fund green developments to embracing eco-friendly packing strategies, the luxury fashion house has become one to look up to on the journey to create a sustainable fashion industry.
In 2023, Burberry introduced its newest reusable packaging scheme. From retail bags to boxes, all packing is produced from reusable upcycled coffee cups and 100% recyclable polyester.
“We are looking at it end to end in the production and movement of the product as we get to the finished article and delivery to the customers,” says Ian Brimicombe, Senior VP at Burberry. “We apply a global green standard to our packaging, and we are making improvements all the time to make it more sustainable. We’re continually exploring ways to increase the percentage that is sustainable; we’re going beyond the benchmark that the industry sets.”
Prada’s “Re-Nylon” Campaign
Last but not least, Prada’s Re-Nylon campaign has taken the high fashion world by storm since 2021. After launching their newest range of bags, manufactured using new regenerated nylon called ECONYL®, the brand is aiming to reduce textile and fibre waste that is responsible for polluting the ocean.
The great thing about ECONYL® is that the yarn used to weave Prada’s famous fashion statements is obtained from the ocean floor before undergoing a purification process of depolymerization and re-polymerisation to ensure the quality of the material remains elite.
“I’m very excited to announce the launch of the Prada Re-Nylon collection. Our ultimate goal will be to convert all Prada virgin nylon into Re-Nylon,” says Lorenzo Bertelli, head of marketing at Prada Group. “This project highlights our continued efforts towards promoting a responsible business. This collection will allow us to make our contribution and create products without using new resources”.
As more high fashion brands strive to go green in 2023, ethical sourcing and manufacturing could be on the cards for the industry as a whole. As trend leaders and key players in the fashion world’s success, high fashion houses will guide the sector into sustainability for a greener future of fashion.
