Sustainability Report Analysis: Stella McCartney

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT ANALYSISPIONEERING WOMEN SERIES

18 Dec

Pioneering Women Series: our series amplifying the work of women that work in sustainable luxury, this week we take a look at the Stella McCartney Impact Report 2023.

This is very apt given the current poll running on the importance of the Creative Director including sustainability in their vision. In the report Stella McCartney's affirms her long held vision for the brand by saying: "It’s part of my everyday life to have a level of respect for Mother Earth and her creatures and I have always strived to have that be core to
what we do here at Stella. The entire history of our brand has been this task force of activism, really. Of trying to dissect the industry and find positive solutions for the most harmful areas; solutions where you can’t tell any difference with the look and feel of the product".

The brand was part owned (50%) by Kering for 17 years but after buying back the stake, went on to sign a deal with LVMH in 2019 (The Guardian).

So what is happening with the numbers? The Stella McCartney latest accounts are due to be filed before the end of the month but will reflect last year's position. This has been a tough year for luxury, see Bain post in the comments. Since 2018 the company has been reporting losses- 2016 and 2017 were profit making years.

The CEO is Amandine Ohayon, who has been leading Stella McCartney since December 2023.
“We are the only major fashion house in the industry to have had ethics at its heart since day one. To us, this is more than a unique selling point – it is charting a new path forward that I hope others will follow”.
Glassdoor Rating: Amandine Ohayon- 73% approve of CEO.

Progress Report included:
- Creating a 100% regenerative cotton t-shirt from SÖKTAŞ regenerative farm.
- Launch of a take-back scheme for our ECONYL® Close-the-Loop Parka.
- Reducing emissions by making smaller collections.
- Increasing preference and uptake in responsible and innovative material alternatives.
- Advocating for policies and legislation that incentivise sustainable innovation.

Sustainability Initiatives Focus:
- Materials: The company is committed to using sustainable and innovative materials, with a preference for regenerative cotton, wool and recycled synthetics.
- Circularity: Stella McCartney is committed to creating a circular fashion industry, where clothes are designed to be durable, repairable, and recyclable.
- Activism: Stella McCartney uses its platform to raise awareness about sustainability and to advocate for change.
- Decarbonisation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions- science-based targets set to 75% reduction by 2030.

Well done to Inês Ribeiro, Hannah Galloway (Flux 100) and the Stella McCartney Sustainability Team.