Tapestry Takes Active Role With Ellen MacArthur Foundation

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Tapestry is helping the Ellen MacArthur Foundation close the loop on fashion.

The Coach and Kate Spade New York owner revealed Wednesday that it has not only joined the sustainability nonprofit as a Network partner, but it’s now also a card-carrying member of its Fashion Initiative advisory board, bringing with it its expertise in powering circular business models and creating durable products.

Tapestry said it believes the circular economy transition revolves around three key design-driven principles: eliminating waste and pollution, regenerating nature and circulating products and materials. It said it seeks to build on its brands’ existing efforts, including Coach’s (Re)Loved program, which has refreshed, resold and recycled more than 20,000 castoff bags since its April 2021 launch, and Kate Spade’s more recent “Pre-Loved” partnership with secondhand e-tailer ThredUp.

“Circularity is critical to building a more sustainable and resilient fashion industry,” said Logan Duran, Tapestry’s vice president of ESG and sustainability. “At Tapestry, our brands are contributing to a future that is both beautiful and responsible, and we look forward to collaborating with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Network and Fashion Initiative advisory board to continue to tackle pressing climate challenges and generate even more momentum behind the circular economy.”

Training and empowering the next generation of designers is a “crucial” part of making fashion circular, Tapestry said. To encourage Coach and Kate Spade designers to explore circular design principles, the company held its inaugural Circular Design Workshop in 2022. The same year, Coach debuted its Coach (Re)Loved Craftsperson Apprenticeship Program, based at its repair shop in New Jersey. In October, 15 design students received the Council of Fashion Designers of America x Coach Dream It Real Circular Design Scholarship.

A member of the Science Based Targets initiative’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C platform, Tapestry recently announced new environmentally preferred material targets for increasing the sourcing of materials made from organic, regenerative and recycled inputs. By 2025, it plans to obtain 90 percent of its leather from Silver and Gold-rated Leather Working Group tanneries, 90 percent of its cotton from organic or regenerative-certified sources and 95 percent of its nylon from pre- or post-consumer recycled sources. Before 2027 comes to a close, it hopes to derive 95 percent of its polyester from pre- or post-consumer recycled sources.

The Stuart Weitzman parent also has its eye on tracing and mapping 95 percent of its raw materials by 2025. In the interest of transparency, it has published its Tier 1 supplier list on its website and on the Open Supply Hub.

A circular future cannot be accomplished alone, said Joe Murphy, executive lead of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation Network. He said the organization is pleased to welcome Tapestry to the fold and looks forward to facilitating opportunities with other Network members, such as H&M Group, Inditex, Lacoste, Primark, PVH Corp. and Ralph Lauren, while supporting it on its “circular economy journey.” With the rest of the Fashion Initiative, previously known as Make Fashion Circular, Tapestry will help “reimagine” how materials are “sourced, produced and consumed,” with a focus on waste reduction and recirculation.

“A circular economy for fashion creates better products and services for customers, contributes to a resilient and thriving fashion industry, and regenerates the environment,” Murphy said. “Together we can make fashion circular and help tackle the root causes of global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.”