Kering to share sustainability methods with design schools
28/10/2016
A long-standing partnership between Parsons and Kering was already in place.
As part of a pilot exercise, Parsons students will have the opportunity to study Kering’s EP&L methodology, which measures and monetizes the environmental impact of activities across the supply chain, taking into account carbon emissions, water use, water and air pollution, waste production and land use. Students will also learn how to integrate sustainability from the start of the design process by evaluating and comparing different materials using an app called My EP&L, which Kering has developed.
The app takes into account not just the material a designer chooses, but also where the material is sourced and manufactured. It also allows users to find “better options”, materials that will lower impact decisions and lead to more sustainable designs.
As an illustration, Kering has given details of a comparison on My EP&L between a bag made from French-produced and one made from leather produced in the US. The comparison shows that the first bag’s EP&L is 26% lower than the second’s, translating this into a saving in environmental costs of €4.40.
Marie-Claire Daveu, chief sustainability officer and head of international institutional affairs at Kering, said on announcing the development that her organisation intends to share the app with other design schools at the end of the pilot.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to advocate the importance of sustainability with the next generation entering our industry, we are excited to expand our Parsons collaboration with a view to sharing My EP&L with further educational institutions following the pilot.”
For his part, the dean of fashion at Parsons, Burak Cakmak, said: “Sustainability education is vital for our students, and with Kering’s help, Parsons will be educating the next generation of fashion industry leaders who can create powerful change.”
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