Recycle In Style
The fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world and H&M being one of the world’s top retailing company is making that extra effort to introduce an occasion-wear line that aims to a sustainable future without compromising on effortless style.
A sustainable line of H&M clothing, what inspired you to be a part of this journey?
The journey actually started in the nineties when we introduced the first products made of organic cotton. The first Conscious Exclusive collection was launched five years ago. It is a modern collection made from conscious materials to be worn at special events and occasion as well as for everyday dress up. The collections aim to move H&M’s fashion and sustainability development and innovation forward towards a more sustainable fashion future - without ever compromising on style.
Tell us about the Fair Wage Method.
L’Officiel India DigitalRead L’Officiel India in the digital libraryEvery issue and every cover story, on TCG Media.Read now
We are the first fashion company to have developed a pioneering global strategy for a fair living wage. Our strategy has been drawn up in consultation with international trade unions, textile suppliers, and non-profit organizations. Our goal is that all our strategic suppliers and their 700 factories
will have improved wage structures ensuring a fair living wage in place by 2018 at the latest.
We want all textile workers to be able to live on their wage. Our definition of a fair living wage is a wage, which satisfies the basic needs of employees and their families. It should be revised annually, and negotiated with democratically elected worker representatives.
In what way will the sustainability in fashion affect the environment?
We have a passion for fashion – and for our planet and how we affect the world around us. One example is our ambition to create a closed loop for fashion and how we are limiting the use of our shared natural resources. Through our global garment collecting initiative we want to offer an easy solution for our customers to leave their old garments with H&M and at the same time do something good for the environment.
Do you think the sustainability movement will move onto couture houses around the world?
I believe sustainability is prerequisite for any brand that wants to be relevant in the future. There are already high fashion brands like Stella McCartney that are frontrunners when it comes sustainability and I hope that more will join for a more sustainable fashion future.
Spotted a mistake, or your photo used without permission? Report a correction
