Frida Rose Gaspar

When you think of designers at the forefront of sustainability in the fashion industry, who do you think of? For me, Patagonia comes to mind- their clear and concise connection between products, and brand image, communicates that they are passionate about the environment, and more importantly, the fashion industry’s impact on it. Well, imagine my surprise when after a little research, I found that Calvin Klein, is one of the leading designer brands behind initiatives working towards a renewable supply chain for their products. 

In fact, I was so surprised that I went over to their website to take a look at their work for myself. However, when I scoured Calvin Klein’s website page for myself- nothing. No worries I thought, I will just head over to their social media, and they are sure to have something there. Still nothing. How is Calvin Klein expecting to spread their message about their clean Brand initiatives, without advertising it on any of their platforms? 

Through some more digging through the small and unassuming “About” section on their page I was able to find their newest initiatives in sustainability. Calvin Klein has new innovations from new designs made from recycled materials, low-impact denim, and a goal for plastic-free packaging by the year 2030. All such great achievements from the brand, are buried in the sleek and sultry aesthetic of Calvin Klein’s socials. Although at first, I was a bit disappointed at the lack of representation for the brand’s CRS, I have also come to realize that designer brands like these are not tied to the social problems they stand for. As unfortunate as that sounds, and as much as it does not resonate with me specifically as a consumer- I am also probably not Clavin Klein’s average market. 

With a brand so well-known, Calvin Klein does not need to show they outwardly support sustainable fashion for people to still care about them. They have seniority. A brand with loyal customers that can stand on its own doesn’t necessarily need to stand on its social values because quite frankly, Calvin Klein isn’t looking to be known for its sustainability. So, while it’s not the best representation of a corporation with strong social responsibility, it does offer some insight into how more reputable brands incorporate CSR into their brand. I think we have a lot to learn about the approach each designer brand takes to curate a core set of values. I encourage you to do your own research into designer or luxury brands that you wouldn’t necessarily correlate with social responsibility. You may find more than meets the eye. Don’t forget to also check out Calvin Klein’s Sustainability Page for more information about their mission in sustainability.

Written by Frida Gaspar