THE FABRIC OF CHANGE: RALPH LAUREN’S COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY IN FASHION

BY PATRICE LOUVET, CEO OF RALPH LAUREN

As the CEO of a longstanding and historic fashion brand, I must address a pressing issue that deeply concerns me. The fashion industry has an alarming amount of waste and overconsumption, and it’s getting worse as time passes. It is time for change, and my hope is that we can shape a healthier and safer future together.

The statistics surrounding fashion and sustainability are frightening. The industry is responsible for approximately 10% of annual global carbon emissions, primarily due to energy-wasting manufacturing processes. Another worry is that the industry generates large amounts of waste from fabric scraps of unsold inventory and discarded clothing. The fashion industry holds such beauty and creativity but underneath it all is extreme waste and destruction. As leaders and creators in this space, we must unite and work toward immediate change. We must ensure that fashion is just as sustainable as it is innovative.

At Ralph Lauren, we understand that we must lead by example and be a beam of change. We have taken significant steps toward a more sustainable future by committing to environmentally conscious practices. Our initiatives include transitioning to renewable energy, diverting waste from landfills, and efficiently managing water usage. So far, we have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 33% and our total water usage by 26%.

But our journey doesn’t end here. We also have many high hopes for ourselves in the future. By the end of 2025, we aim to offer high-quality merchandise made with 100% recycled cotton, achieve 100% sustainably sourced materials, and make five of our iconic products Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certified. In addition to this, we also have optimistic plans for our stores across the world as well. By the end of the year, 100% of our key wood suppliers will use sustainably sourced wood substrates for Ralph Lauren store interior designs. Currently, we are proud to be at 68% of this goal. All of these efforts not only reduce our carbon footprint but also set a new standard for the fashion industry. We only hope that our fellow fashion leaders follow down the same path and join us in the fight for change. 

As leaders, we must hold ourselves accountable and show the public nothing but honesty and clarity. We owe it to our consumers to deliver authenticity in all aspects. At Ralph Lauren, we are committed to reporting our ESG efforts honestly, empowering our audience to engage with us on our sustainability journey.

The time for action is now. Climate change is not a distant issue that’s beyond all of our worries. The consequences of inaction are dire, impacting not just our environment but also our lives. We have the responsibility to confront it head-on. The sooner we start to implement greener initiatives in our lives, the better our world will be. I urge my fellow fashion CEOs, leaders, and creatives to join us in this collective fight for change. Together, we can create a greener world in fashion and pave the way for future generations.