Why do you feel fashion should think about sustainability?
Nadja Swarovski: First, fashion is a global industry that has a major impact on ecosystems around the world. If we do not think and act sustainably, that impact can be highly negative. Our industry has got a lot better at being responsible stewards of the environment and the people working and living in it, but we still have a long way to go. Fashion and the wider creative industries also play an incredibly important role setting trends in motion and helping to transform society for the better. Fashion needs to be at the forefront of the discussions around sustainability to help drive wider change. I do think, however, that it will require a change in values in order to see a positive evolution in sustainability within fashion.
Nadja Swarovski: First, fashion is a global industry that has a major impact on ecosystems around the world. If we do not think and act sustainably, that impact can be highly negative. Our industry has got a lot better at being responsible stewards of the environment and the people working and living in it, but we still have a long way to go. Fashion and the wider creative industries also play an incredibly important role setting trends in motion and helping to transform society for the better. Fashion needs to be at the forefront of the discussions around sustainability to help drive wider change. I do think, however, that it will require a change in values in order to see a positive evolution in sustainability within fashion.
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What made you care about the impact this industry was having?
At Swarovski, we think in generations, not quarters. This commitment to doing business in a way that respects people and the planet is rooted in the DNA of Swarovski. Our founder, my great-great-grandfather Daniel Swarovski, had a firm belief in protecting the environment and caring for people. This is both an integral part of our heritage and an essential ingredient of our future success as a company. Working in a family business increases one's sense of accountability of how one's actions and business practices impact the industry, employees, customers, and environment. We choose to make this a positive impact on all fronts.What questions should consumers be asking brands to reinforce the changes we need?
It is important that we all think about the impact of our behaviors on the planet and the people around us, and that begins with many of the choices we make every day, including who we choose to buy from. So consumers need to be able to ask questions about the whole supply chain of a product. As a company, we are aiming to be as transparent as possible in order to answer as many of those questions before they are even asked. For this reason we are extremely pleased to gain certification from the Responsible Jewellery Council for our gemstones last year. This is just one part of our wider strategy for corporate social responsibility, which also includes our commitments to water, energy use, and recycling.How do you see yourself as an agent of change?
As a brand, we think about sustainability throughout the whole supply chain. We have six key focus areas, which we've highlighted in our sustainability report, which we published earlier this year: caring for our people, enforcing a responsible supply chain, supporting ethics and integrity, creating responsible products, protecting the environment, and giving back. We launched our lead-free Advanced Crystal in 2012, we have reduced our energy consumption by 24 percent since 2010, and today, globally, 55 percent of our energy consumption is derived from renewable sources. Companywide, we are also pushing forward with further waste- and water-recycling initiatives.What kind of change do you hope to be a part of through your life and work in this industry?
This work is not just about the environment; it is also about people, and creating permanent and positive change around the world. We are proud to be partnering with the UN Women's Safe Cities initiative, for which we recently unveiled a bracelet at events in Paris, at the US ambassador's residence, and the United Nations in New York. Our work with the Swarovski Foundation, which was established in 2012, is also designed to leave a lasting legacy across three key pillars: culture, well-being, and the environment.If you could learn only one phrase in the language of the country you're traveling to, what would it be?
"Thank you." Gratitude costs nothing.This article was paid for by Copenhagen Fashion Summit and was created independently from VICE's editorial staff.
At Swarovski, we think in generations, not quarters. This commitment to doing business in a way that respects people and the planet is rooted in the DNA of Swarovski. Our founder, my great-great-grandfather Daniel Swarovski, had a firm belief in protecting the environment and caring for people. This is both an integral part of our heritage and an essential ingredient of our future success as a company. Working in a family business increases one's sense of accountability of how one's actions and business practices impact the industry, employees, customers, and environment. We choose to make this a positive impact on all fronts.What questions should consumers be asking brands to reinforce the changes we need?
It is important that we all think about the impact of our behaviors on the planet and the people around us, and that begins with many of the choices we make every day, including who we choose to buy from. So consumers need to be able to ask questions about the whole supply chain of a product. As a company, we are aiming to be as transparent as possible in order to answer as many of those questions before they are even asked. For this reason we are extremely pleased to gain certification from the Responsible Jewellery Council for our gemstones last year. This is just one part of our wider strategy for corporate social responsibility, which also includes our commitments to water, energy use, and recycling.How do you see yourself as an agent of change?
As a brand, we think about sustainability throughout the whole supply chain. We have six key focus areas, which we've highlighted in our sustainability report, which we published earlier this year: caring for our people, enforcing a responsible supply chain, supporting ethics and integrity, creating responsible products, protecting the environment, and giving back. We launched our lead-free Advanced Crystal in 2012, we have reduced our energy consumption by 24 percent since 2010, and today, globally, 55 percent of our energy consumption is derived from renewable sources. Companywide, we are also pushing forward with further waste- and water-recycling initiatives.What kind of change do you hope to be a part of through your life and work in this industry?
This work is not just about the environment; it is also about people, and creating permanent and positive change around the world. We are proud to be partnering with the UN Women's Safe Cities initiative, for which we recently unveiled a bracelet at events in Paris, at the US ambassador's residence, and the United Nations in New York. Our work with the Swarovski Foundation, which was established in 2012, is also designed to leave a lasting legacy across three key pillars: culture, well-being, and the environment.If you could learn only one phrase in the language of the country you're traveling to, what would it be?
"Thank you." Gratitude costs nothing.This article was paid for by Copenhagen Fashion Summit and was created independently from VICE's editorial staff.