NEW YORK CITY — May 13, 2019 — PVH Corp. announces the evolution of its Corporate Responsibility (CR) strategy — Forward Fashion — a vision for the future that sets a new level of ambition and transparency; and reinforces its long-standing commitment to sustainable business. Coupled with today’s release of PVH’s 11th annual CR Report and launch of a dedicated digital hub, Forward Fashion outlines three focus areas that aim to reduce the company’s negative impacts to zero, increase positive impacts to 100 percent and improve over one million lives throughout its value chain. These areas include combatting climate change, addressing waste and hazardous chemicals, ensuring worker safety, and providing development programs to women.

The strategy creates a platform for each of PVH’s branded businesses — CALVIN KLEIN, TOMMY HILFIGER and Heritage Brands — to further accelerate their consumer-and product-centric sustainability efforts.

“Corporate responsibility has always been fundamental to how we conduct business. Forward Fashion represents a renewed sense of urgency to use the collective power of PVH to achieve transformative change at scale,” said Emanuel Chirico, chairman and CEO, PVH Corp. “The challenges and opportunities we face are bigger than PVH, but we are confident Forward Fashion will position us for success over the long-term, leading to more engaged associates, more loyal consumers and, ultimately, a more sustainable and responsible future for the fashion industry.”

Fifteen Priorities With Key Targets

Within the strategy’s three focus areas, 15 priorities have been selected based on where the company can make the greatest impact. For each priority, key targets have been set to ensure accountability, transparency and authenticity in how progress is tracked and reported.

Reduce negative impacts to zero

PVH’s ambition is for its products and business operations to generate zero waste, zero carbon emissions and zero hazardous chemicals, and for its products to be truly circular.

• Priority: Eliminate Carbon Emissions – Protect the global climate by reducing energy use and powering its business through renewable sources;
• Key Target: PVH offices, warehouses and stores will be powered by 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and the company will drive a 30% reduction in its supply chain emissions by 2030;
• Priority: End Waste – Divert the waste PVH sends to landfill;
• Key Target: All PVH offices, distribution centers and stores will achieve zero waste and eliminate single-use plastics by 2030;
• Priority: Eliminate Hazardous Chemicals and Microfibers – Eliminate water pollution from wet processors;
• Key Target: Water leaving wet processors will have zero hazardous chemicals and be filtered for harmful microfibers by 2025;
• Priority: Innovate for Circularity – Foster and harness innovation to design and manufacture products that eliminate product waste; and
• Key Target: Three of the company’s most commonly purchased products will be completely circular including the full traceability of key raw materials by 2025

Increase positive impacts to 100 percent

PVH’s ambition is for 100 percent of its products and packaging to be ethically and sustainably sourced, and for 100 percent of its suppliers to respect human rights and be good employers.

• Priority: Source Ethically – Expand the application of PVH’s social and environmental standards to the manufacturing of all products and materials;
• Key Target: 100 percent of PVH suppliers will meet or exceed all of its social and environmental standards by 2030;
• Priority: Amplify Worker Voice – Improve working environments through worker engagement and representation;
• Key Target: 100 percent of workers employed by key suppliers will have their voices heard through democratically elected representatives by 2025;
• Priority: Promote Safe Workplaces – Ensure safe and healthy workplaces for all workers in the PVH supply chain;
• Key Target: 100 percent of PVH suppliers will promote and maintain safe and healthy work environments by 2025;
• Priority: Advance Living Wages – Create conditions for national living wage agreements through industry-wide collective bargaining linked to PVH purchasing practices;
• Key Target: 100 percent of PVH’s key suppliers in two key production countries by 2025 and four by 2030 proactively support industry-wide collective bargaining to achieve living wages;
• Priority: Recruit Ethically – Partner with suppliers to ensure ethical recruitment practices for migrant workers;
• Key Target: 100 percent of migrant workers at PVH’s Level 1 and key Level 2 suppliers will not pay recruitment fees by 2025;
• Priority: Regenerate Materials – Transition key product and packaging materials to sustainable alternatives, and support regenerative agriculture practices, while protecting animal welfare; and
• Key Target: Sustainably source 100 percent of PVH’s cotton and viscose by 2025, and 100 percent of polyester by 2030.

Improve 1 million+ lives across the value chain

PVH’s ambition is for its business to improve the over 1 million lives across its value chain, focusing on education and opportunities for women and children, ensuring access to clean water for all, and continuing to champion inclusion and diversity so everyone can achieve their full potential.

• Priority: Empower Women – Remove barriers to advancement and create pathways to opportunity and choice for women in the PVH supply chain;
• Key Target: Professional and life skills development programs will be made available to 500,000 women across the PVH supply chain by 2030;
• Priority: Foster Inclusion & Diversity – Create an inclusive environment where every individual is valued;
• Key Target: Expand unconscious bias training to all 38,000+ PVH associates globally by 2023 and achieve gender parity in leadership positions by 2030;
• Priority: Develop Talent – Develop a talented and skilled workforce that embodies PVH’s values and an entrepreneurial spirit, while empowering associates to design their future;
• Key Target: Expand professional skills development and digital literacy programs through PVH University to reach all 38,000+ PVH associates globally by 2023;
• Priority: Provide Access to Water – Ensure access to clean water for communities in PVH’s key basins through collaborative action;
• Key Target: Establish five collective action projects in PVH’s most water-stressed sourcing communities by 2025;
• Priority: Educate the Future – Support the needs of women and children around the world by creating safe spaces, improving access to education and enhancing quality of life; and
• Key Target: Reach 135,000 individuals worldwide through early education and childcare services, teacher training, parenting resources and training, and youth employability training services by 2023.

Posted May 13, 2019

Source: PVH Corp.

NEW YORK CITY — May 13, 2019 — Maisonette, an online shopping destination for baby and children’s fashion and lifestyle, today announces the launch of their first children’s clothing collection, Maison Mini. The European inspired assortment was designed to go from playground to playdate to party and features 18 styles for girls and boys ages 2 to 8. Designed by Maisonette’s in-house team, led by Karolina Petersson, formerly of Celine, Maison Mini is the brand’s commitment to make every day more stylish with elevated, kid-friendly basics at an accessible price point.

“The Maison Mini collection is clean, classic and very European-but with an American sportiness,” said Karolina Petersson, design director at Maisonette. “Sylvana and Luisana have disrupted the children’s wear market and created a one-stop, simplified shopping destination for busy parents and it’s been a rewarding experience to pair my European design background with the lightheartedness of Maisonette to create their first collection of elevated pieces at an accessible price point.”

Delivering classic, but modern and easy styles, the Maison Mini collection allows kids to be kids, while keeping style in mind. The collection’s cotton-based fabric styles are presented in a neutral color palette with vibrant tones mixed in, as well as ginghams, classic stripes, and three exclusive prints by illustrator Emily Isabella. Created with versatility in mind, standout styles include the Millie Overall in Marigold Twill ($38), Gracie Woven Pocket Dress in Royal Gingham ($38), Mariella Romper in Dusty Blue Muslin ($46) and Ollie Short Sleeve Button Down in Abstract Shapes ($32). Overall pricing for the collection ranges from $16-$46.

“Two years ago, we saw an opportunity to create an inspiring shopping destination that not only delivers a curated selection of style-driven, unique products but makes shopping for your children simple and enjoyable,” said Sylvana Ward Durrett, cofounder & CEO of Maisonette. “Through this process, we’ve noticed our customers’ desire for European style and quality at an accessible price point, and by launching Maison Mini we are able to better serve these needs and deliver on inventory demand. We tapped Karolina to bring our vision to life and are so proud of our first collection and to bring this new offering to our customers.”

“As parents, much like our customer, we tend to divide our children’s clothing into two categories: everyday vs. formal occasion – separating the elevated pieces from pieces to play,” said Luisana Mendoza de Roccia, Cofounder & president of Maisonette. “With the launch of our collection, Maison Mini, we set out to fill the gap between fast-fashion and high-end styles. Inspired by those special items a close friend might bring you back from Stockholm or St. Tropez, this collection is easy enough for the park, yet chic enough for a party.”

Posted May 13, 2019

Source: Maisonette

NEW YORK CITY — May 13, 2019 — An overwhelming majority of New York City voters support banning the sale of fur apparel in the city, according to the results of a newly released poll.

The poll found that 75 percent of respondents support a citywide law to prohibit the sale of fur apparel. The results found widespread support for legislation — Intro 1476 — introduced by City Council Speaker Corey Johnson banning fur sales. The Council’s Committee on Consumer Affairs is holding a hearing on the bill Wednesday.

“The results show that New York City needs to take action to catch up to what is clearly society’s sentiment, that cruelty is not fashionable,” said Friends of Animals President Priscilla Feral. “NYC can be the ultimate fashion forward role model by passing this legislation. Showing compassion for animals, and all sentient beings, is one of the purest expressions of our humanity.”

Friends of Animals has joined with FurFreeNYC to support the legislation and will be attend the noon rally at City Hall Wednesday and testifying at the hearing there. The poll, released by the coalition and conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research shows widespread support in all boroughs for the ban.

In a statement Monday, Feral noted there has been widespread misinformation about the fur ban bill circulating by opponents. The bill prohibits the sale of any fur apparel including any skin in whole or part with hair, fleece or fibers attached. It does not restrict or prevent residents from wearing fur apparel they have already purchased. The bill does not ban leather; it has an exemption for fur worn as a matter of religious custom and for sales of used fur.

While opponents contend fur is environmentally sustainable, the fur industry likes to ignore studies that have found real fur to be the most harmful of all fabrics. The production of real fur is significantly more harmful than other types of fabric to the environment in part because of chemicals used to prevent the skins from decomposing and decomposing of mink feces, according to a study by CE Delft. Increasingly, faux fur manufacturers and fashion houses are using innovative, sustainable fabrics.

“The fur industry is trying to divert attention and scare the public,” said Feral. “But New York City residents understand the issue and want to see an end to the cruelty.”

Posted May 13, 2019

Source: Friends of Animals Inc.

SAN FRANCISCO — May 13, 2019 — The Sustainable Apparel Coalition today announced the launch of Higg Co., a public benefit company that will develop the technology that delivers the Higg Index. The Higg Index is a suite of sustainability assessment tools used globally by brands, retailers and manufacturers to measure the environmental and social performance of a company or product.

The SAC, which was founded in 2009, will continue to focus on the multi-stakeholder collaboration that drives social and environmental sustainability measurement and improvements in the apparel, footwear and textile industry.

“The SAC’s vision of an industry that produces no unnecessary environmental harm and has a positive social impact remains as vital as when we started,” said SAC Interim Executive Director Amina Razvi. “Spinning out the technology capability enables both organizations to focus on accelerating progress towards that vision.”

Higg Co. will be led by former SAC CEO Jason Kibbey and its headquarters are in San Francisco. In addition to hosting Higg Index tools, Higg Co. will also offer custom solutions to allow companies to integrate measurable data directly into their internal systems, better enabling decisions throughout the enterprise.

“With the spinout of Higg Co., we will provide the industry the trusted technology it needs to be able to implement the Higg Index at scale,” said Jason Kibbey, CEO of Higg Co. “Our customers rely on strong technology to drive the social and environmental improvements that will reshape the apparel and footwear industry, and other industries in the future.”

Higg Co. is majority-owned by the SAC and funding is provided by impact investment firms Titan Grove and Buckhill Capital, and Sanjeev Bahl of Saiburg B.V.

“As a for profit, well-capitalized company, Higg Co. will facilitate a faster and more efficient rollout of the Higg Index across global value chains to drive transformative, lasting change,” said Jeff Tannenbaum, chairman of Titan Grove.

“You can’t manage what you can’t measure, and the Higg Index provides the standardization and measurement the industry needs to drive lasting change,” added Henrik Jones, general partner of Buckhill Capital.

“Patagonia and Walmart co-founded the SAC ten years ago with the proposition that standardized measurement of sector impact that was deep and transparent would unleash forces in the marketplace that would incentivize companies to reduce environmental impact and increase social justice,” said Rick Ridgeway of Patagonia. “At Patagonia we’re looking forward to working with Higg Co. as a customer to scale positive impact throughout the entire value chain.”

Posted May 13, 2019

Source: Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC)