S u s ta i n + A b i l i t y – Ta k i n g C a r e
WHAT’S THE STORY
IS SUSTAINABILITY A MUST?
Will one still be able to consider buying or selling premium and luxury fashion that fails to live up to its responsibility in terms of sustainability? Does a higher price mean the consumer has the right to expect fair and environmentally friendly production conditions? Will sustainability thus become a prerequisite in the upscale segment? We asked around. Text: Martina Müllner-Seybold. Illustrations: Claudia Meitert@Caroline Seidler
LOOKING THE OTHER WAY IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT
Piero Cividini, Owner of Cividini “Sustainability is currently a huge topic, but it’s not a new idea as such. As early as 1972, the ‘Club of Rome’ presented various scenarios on how the global economy could impact the world. We were deeply impressed by those alarming findings, which is why Cividini has always attached great importance to working sustainably at all levels. I remember our experiments with purely vegetable dyed yarns many years ago. Walnuts, for example, are ideal for sepia to brown nuances. These dyes are marginally more expensive to process, but not as washable as chemical dyes. Unfortunately, there was hardly any market acceptance at that time. The sustainability topic has established itself as a long-term issue in society. Looking the other way is becoming increasingly difficult, not least due to social media. Plastic waste in the oceans, natural disasters caused by climate change, exploitation in low-wage countries… The more visible the effects of irresponsible economic activity become, the more likely it is that sustainable production will establish itself across the board.”
GREAT APPRECIATION
Emmanuel de Bayser, Co-Owner and Buyer of The Corner Berlin “Sustainability plays a major role, especially in the luxury segment! The fine quality of the products, natural materials, and production in Europe are factors that distinguish high-priced items. Sustainability is therefore a quality feature of the luxury industry. Even among our customers, we are sensing an increase in appreciation for sustainable collections.”
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