integration

Erdos has been following a path of sustainability for decades, long before it became a fashion buzzword; commercial reality dictates that the company ensure that the horned animals have quality pastures to graze on. “It is natural for us to do, as we own the whole supply chain,” she says. “If the grassland is wrong, we are the victims. If the goats are good, we benefit from it, so it is in our interests to keep the grasslands well and to preserve the breed of the goats and to treat them well.”

Corporations have also signaled their interest in pursuing sustainable cashmere—and their Corporations have also signaled their interest in pursuing sustainable cashmere—and their willingness to pay a premium for it. H&M has made a willingness to pay a premium for it. H&M has made a commitment commitment to phase out ‘conventional’ to phase out ‘conventional’ cashmere in favor of sustainably-sourced cashmere, while cashmere in favor of sustainably-sourced cashmere, while French luxury fashion group French luxury fashion group Kering Kering (which owns such brands as Gucci, Alexander McQueen, and Yves Saint Laurent) is (which owns such brands as Gucci, Alexander McQueen, and Yves Saint Laurent) is working with the Wildlife Conservation Society to develop its own sustainable cashmere supply working with the Wildlife Conservation Society to develop its own sustainable cashmere supply chain in Mongolia. Kering has partnered with Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project to map chain in Mongolia. Kering has partnered with Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project to map out the grasslands; on the ground, the Wildlife Conservation Society works with 207 herder families out the grasslands; on the ground, the Wildlife Conservation Society works with 207 herder families to create annual pasture management plans, which aim to spread herders across...

The issues of demand are causing a number of brands to rethink the process and find a more sustainable approach to making cashmere. This includes label Le Kasha, which produces all of its pieces in just one factory, meaning its impact on the planet is minimised. The brand also works with farmers and herders to practise ‘sustainable grazing’ to ensure preservation of the land.

"The true quality cashmere producers tend to be factories that are totally vertical, processing, dyeing and spinning the cashmere fibre, then knitting garments, so the whole process of making a cashmere garment is totally in-house at every stage of production."

an integrated, transparent and traceable supply chain.

integration An integrated supply chain provides the means to monitor and control all aspects of production, including sustainability. See #traceability.