Drapers Talks Drapers Talks

Retracing fashion's steps to build in sustainability
Understanding how and where fashion retailers are tackling sustainability is critical: these changes – even seemingly small ones – can have a huge impact. Our panel explored:
How are fashion retailers creating products built to last, and reducing overconsumption? Exploring materials efficiency and longevity, ways of designing differently, and approaches to limiting overproduction;
Which projects and partnerships are driving change? Optimising collaboration between brands, suppliers, industry bodies and beyond;
Changing consumer behaviour: exploring the role fashion retail plays, and uncovering initiatives to drive this.

Alison Ward
Chief executive - CottonConnect



 
Lynne Walker
Director of Primark Cares - Primark



 
Susan Fairley
Head of sourcing, quality and sustainability - New Look



 
Tom Berry
Independent advisor - Tom Berry Sustainability Consulting


 

Rethinking revenue streams: accelerating growth via circular business models
Fashion resale, rental, repair and recycling are at the beginning of a rapid growth projection. Our panel of speakers hosted a deep dive into the opportunities offered by circular business models, including:
Rethinking customer experiences, changing consumption habits and reimagining ownership: exploring journeys around rental, repair, reworking, resale and beyond
Discussing the additional benefits of alternative revenue streams, from customer loyalty to data
Rethinking and re-educating consumers around end of life - from takeback to closed-loop technology

Adele Gingell
head of positive impact - Finisterre



 
Catherine Loader
sustainability manager - John Lewis Partnership



 
Julian Lings
senior sustainability manager - The North Face



 
Majonne Frost
head of environment and sustainability - SATCoL

Play your part: cohesively threading sustainability across the value chain
From sustainable materials to consumer strategies and scope 3 targets, everyone across the fashion retail industry needs to be on the same page to reach sustainability goals. How can retailers, brands, manufacturers and suppliers all play their part? Our speakers discussed:
Outlining sustainability obligations: does everyone in the value chain know what is required from them?
How to build collaboration into your day-to day working
Where are products, processes and partnerships working well; what can we learn from this?

Ben Dreyer
Strategy, sustainability and operations director - Boden



 
Isabella West
Founder and chief executive - Hirestreet



 
Katharine Beacham
Head of materials and sustainability in clothing and home - Marks & Spencer



 
Rob King
Co-founder and chief executive - Zedify

Our pick of the best sustainable companies to watch pitched head-to-head to our expert judging panel:

Natalie Binns, sustainable fashion consultant, Priya Downes, founder at Nudea and Touker Suleyman, chairman at Hawes & Curtis.
 

4 startups battled for the chance to win the title of the ‘One to Watch’ at the Drapers Sustainable Fashion Awards later that evening, as well as some mentoring support from industry leaders. 
For the first time this year, the audience had the chance to vote for their favourite via a live poll. The audience vote will accounted for 25% of the overall scores.
To find out who won, you can check out our coverage here.

Michael Thomson closed the conference in conversation with Jill Geoghegan, discussing leading a business through change.

The core values you hold as a company and as a leader are the guiding principles that can influence everything you do, and underpin your business’ personality: how do you and your business shape, live and breathe them?