| Iconic Styles by Karl Lagerfeld

INTRODUCTION

At KARL LAGERFELD, we are passionate about sustainability. We have sustainability ambassadors in all areas of the business and look carefully at how we can increase our positive impact through our collections and all brand initiatives.

We strive to be the best version of ourselves and embrace our need to build a better future. With that in mind, we consistently challenge and improve the way we develop one-of-a-kind experiences that our customers can feel good about by taking responsibility for our people and our impact on the planet. We strive to create innovative, premium experiences that are desirable, durable and resonate with all members of the TEAM KARL Community.

Our sustainability strategy is centered on 3 key themes: People, Planet and Partner. These core focus areas enable us to achieve long-term ambitions and ensure that issues are addressed in the process. While we continuously seek to increase the amount of sustainable materials and innovations in our collections and our projects, we also engage and collaborate closely with our partners to improve our impact together.

We make every effort to promote an inclusive and diverse workforce and closely monitor the labor conditions of our factories to ensure they meet international human rights standards. We also know that this sustainability journey is an unending exploration in progress and learning, and we celebrate every step and success along the way.

As a member of the Fashion Pact, KARL LAGERFELD has committed to achieving key environmental goals in three areas: preventing global warming, restoring biodiversity and protecting the oceans. This is why our protective polybags are made of 100% recycled plastics. Furthermore, we are members of Amfori BSCI and reaffirm our commitment and respect for human rights through the KARL LAGERFELD Code of Conduct.

Finally, our Amsterdam headquarters has been modernized to have a grade A energy label; it is also the city’s first historic canal house to fully eliminate the use of gas. Insulation is made from bio-based materials, while an electric climate control system recycles heat created by people and computers. Its spaces features sustainable design made of 100% recycled plastics.
With a progressive approach and engaged attitudes, we are working towards a sustainable standard of excellence through responsible behaviors, honest actions and mutual respect. And while we recognize that our journey is not yet complete, we celebrate every step that contributes to ensuring a better environmental, ethical and social performance — together as the #TEAMKARL family.

SUSTAINABILITY TOWN HALL

In early March, Amber Valletta sat with Pier Paolo Righi, CEO of KARL LAGERFELD, to discuss the brand’s sustainability strategy and our ongoing plans to become increasingly conscientious when it comes to the our overall impact on the environment.

THE K/KUSHION CACTUS BAG — “BEST DESIGNER PIECE”, PETA FASHION AWARDS

Each year, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the world’s leading nonprofit animal rights organization, celebrates the labels, style icons and forward-thinking designers making the world a better place for animals.

This year, PETA Germany’s Vegan Fashion Awards 2021 has named the K/Kushion bag in cactus leather “Best Designer Piece.” The bag was launched as part of the KARL LAGERFELD X Amber Valletta SS21 capsule, an eco-friendly accessories collection developed in collaboration with supermodel, actress, activist, and now KARL LAGERFELD Sustainability Ambassador, Amber Valletta.

“This award underscores the incredible achievement that Amber and our team were able to attain with this collection,” said Pier Paolo Righi, CEO of KARL LAGERFELD. “The overarching success of the collection, including this award, means a lot to the brand as we continue to excite our customers with responsibly made fashion and accessories.”

The essential bag — inspired by a tailor-made cushion that Karl Lagerfeld was known to carry with him on his travels — is crafted from a vegan cactus leather, an environmentally responsible as well as recyclable material colored with organic pigments. The innovative, plant-based material is produced from native cactus that matches local biodiversity and requires no herbicides, pesticides, or even irrigation, making it not only vegan, but sustainable.

“This award is an honor and proves that environmentally conscious styles can be just as chic and fashion-forward. The fact that it was given to the only brand that carries Karl’s name also feels like a touching tribute to him,” said Amber Valletta. “I am sure we can continue to make significant progress in this respect through originality, cutting-edge design, and true innovation.”

The ecologically responsible collection co-created with Sustainability Ambassador Amber Valletta is part of KARL LAGERFELD’s ongoing commitment to achieving key environmental goals shared in the G7 Fashion Pact. Stay tuned for a second sustainable collaboration for the Spring Summer 2022 collection that will expand to include both accessories and ready-to-wear styles.

Explore the KARL Cares range of environmentally conscious designs crafted with organic, recycled, and bio-based materials, including GOTS-certified organic cotton, Tencel Lyocell, and recycled nylon.

As a Fashion Pact member, KARL LAGERFELD has committed to achieving key environmental goals.
We have committed to achieving a net-zero carbon impact by 2050, by increasing the share of materials with low-impacts in our collections, by using renewable energy in our organizations and implementing the principles of the U.N. Fashion Charter.
We have committed to a zero-deforestation policy, and as immediate actions, KARL LAGERFELD sources material for our hangtags, shopping bags, gift boxes and hangers from sustainably managed forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
To preserve the oceans, KARL LAGERFELD committed to eliminating or replacing virgin plastic in all its packaging. Today, all polybags used to protect the KARL LAGERFELD products from production to the store are made from 100% certified recycled plastic.
Additionally, KARL LAGERFLED is supporting the Ocean Cleanup, a Non-Profit Foundation, with the mission to clean up oceans.

In Spring 2021, KARL LAGERFELD collaborated with model, actress and activist Amber Valletta to create an environmentally conscious accessory collection, the proceeds of which were donated to a non-profit foundation that works to rid the oceans of plastic pollution. In October that same year, Amber Valletta was appointed as the brand’s Sustainability Ambassador, bringing her considerable insight and passion for environmentalism to our global efforts to continuously improve our overall sustainability journey.

OUR COLLECTIONS

We seek to develop collections using materials sourced with respect for people and the planet. This includes organic, recycled, bio-based, compostable and reusable materials.
KARL LAGEREFLD works closely with its vendors to ensure that all our sustainable materials are sourced according to our brand guidelines, and that they are certified by third party; for example, for leather materials, KARL LAGERFELD gives preference to facilities that are audited by the Leather Working Group (LWG). Animal-derived materials should be a by-product of the meat industry, and should be sourced in a humane, ethical, and sustainable manner with respect to species conservation and animal welfare.
For this reason, KARL LAGERFELD expect their suppliers to base their practices on the ‘The Five Freedoms for Animal Welfare,’ as defined by the Farm Animal Welfare Council and promoted by the World Organization for Animal Health.
KARL LAGERFELD believes the fashion industry can make a big step towards reducing environmental impact by using sustainable materials that contribute to a sustainable future, without compromising on design, comfort, and quality.

All garments in our collection made with sustainable materials are labeled with a special hangtag, which is also crafted from FSC-certified recycled paper.
We consider a material sustainable based on the definition used by the Fashion Pact*:
– Cotton: Fairtrade Certified, organic and recycled cotton. To support its supply chain, KARL LAGERFELD has created a sourcing guideline dedicated to cotton.
– Synthetics: Bio-based and recycled polyester; recycled nylon
– Animal-based fibers: Leather Working Group, organic, recycled regenerative and chrome-free leather; ZQ-certified, responsible, recycled and regenerative wool; recycled down
– Man-made cellulosics (MMC) and other natural fibers: FSC/PEFC-certified, closed loop (e.g. REFIBRA) and recycled MMC and lyocell; jute as well as organic and recycled linen and hemp
* this definition is itself based on the Textile Exchange’s list of preferred fibers and the Higg MSI assessment

Materials we have banned:
– Real animal fur
– Real exotic skins
– Mohair
– Angora
– Leather/animal fibers that are not a by-product of the meat industry
– PVC
– Wool from farms that practice mulesing or sheep dipping
– Down or feathers from farms that practice live plucking
– Down or feathers from farms that practice forced feeding

KARL LAGERFELD CODE OF CONDUCT

This code defines the moral, ethical, and social principles that frame our daily actions and business operations.
KARL LAGERFELD is a member of Amfori BSCI, which supports companies in improving their global supply chains of factories and farms. This also ensures that the factories we work with meet international standards outlined by the United Nations and the International Labor Organization.
The KARL LAGERFELD Code of Conduct reaffirms our commitment and respect for human rights — for our in-house employees and all those in our supply chains who contribute to creating our products. The Code outlines the minimum work requirements for 12 core labor principles including (but not limited to) working hours, remuneration, health and safety, child labor, corruption, and discrimination.

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE HEADQUARTERS

KARL LAGERFELD’s Amsterdam headquarters feature the highest levels of sustainable design.
The stunning monument building has been modernized to have a grade A energy label; it is also the city’s first canal house to fully eliminate the use of gas. Insulation is made from bio-based materials, while an electric climate control system recycles heat created by people and computers. Furthermore, the building runs on renewable “green energy,” which is produced by European wind power. Nearly every light in the office is LED, while some spaces feature contemporary statement lamps by Dirk van der Kooij, a Dutch designer who creates furnishings made of 100% recycled plastics.