Ralph Lauren equates timelessness with sustainability
New York based fashion group Ralph Lauren has released its Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report for 2024.
Highlights from the document include the development of its Denim Flag Trucker Jacket in fabrics that are certified Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) and the launch of the 100% Recycled Cotton Polo, made using a process developed by NFW to optimise the quality of recycled fibres. It has announced plans to make five of its iconic products from C2C certified materials in 2025.
The brand also noted the launch of an Artist in Residence programme which led to the creation of three signature collections with Diné (Navajo) artisan Naiomi Glasses.
These initiatives are all a part of the group’s ‘Timeless by Design’ strategy that focuses on making “quality pieces that are made to be worn, loved and passed on to the next generation,” the group said.
“Our vision for timelessness not only inspires what we create but also how we create it – including how we operate our global business and engage with our teams and the communities we serve. We do this because, like our iconic styles, we want our business to stand the test of time,” commented Katie Ioanilli, head of impact & communications for the Ralph Lauren Corporation.
The report outlines the progress the group has made in key areas such as absolute greenhouse gas emissions (down by 33%), water usage (down 26%) and waste diversion (lower by 94%).
With regards to sourcing responsible materials for 100% of its fabric mix by late 2025, Ralph Lauren is close to reaching its goals. In 2024, it said that recycled polyester accounted for 87% of its polyester usage, and 97% of the cotton it uses is ‘sustainably sourced’, meaning organic, transitional/in-conversion, Better Cotton, recycled, regenerative, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol or Fair Trade-certified.
The group noted that it was able to launch a unisex, classic fit jean and trucker jacket that met the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s The Jeans Redesign guidelines this year. A project it said it had been working on since 2019.
Photo: Ralph Lauren
